Nyamasheke – On the 9th June 2020 at Nyamasheke District Office there was held a one day training of trainers to District staff from different domains associated with Social Development and other welfare schemes. The intent of this training is to equip district level trainers with profound knowledge of Implementation Guidelines for Nutrition Sensitive Direct Support (NSDS) contextualized under policies and strategies in place to get rid of stunting and malnutrition, as well as mother – child care initiatives, with emphasis on the contribution of NSDS. The thematic areas of emphasis in the training were the objectives and design the VUP NSDS, its target group and eligibility criteria, beneficiary targeting, beneficiary rights and co-responsibilities, roles and responsibilities of various actors in the implementation of NSDS. As per its design, NSDS as a new VUP component has dual objectives: (a) to provide income support to poor and vulnerable pregnant women, new mothers and young children, allowing for adequate consumption and improved diet; and (b) to incentivize uptake of key health and nutrition services and behavioural change.

Facilitated by LODA delegates represented by Mr. GATSINZI Justine and Mr. BAZIREMA Eric, respectively the Division Manager of Social Protection Division and the Public Relations and Communication Officer at LODA, the training targeted and reached the following participants: Vice Mayor in charge of Social Affairs, Director of Social Development Unit, Director of Health Unit, Gender & Family Promotion Officer, Hygiene & Sanitation Officer, Representative of the National Women Council, Disability Mainstreaming Officer, Social Protection Officer, Transit Center Coordinator and Data Management Specialist.  At the end the training exercise, trainees are expected in turn to cascade training to frontline resource persons from Sectors, Cells, Villages and Community Health Workers.

In his opening remarks, Division Manager GATSINZI, on behalf of LODA’s leadership, thanked the District for the organization of the training and showed appreciation towards participants for their attendance. He emphasized the position of LODA’s leadership on Prevention of stunting and promotion of child care as not a – one – sector showcase, asserting that it requires contributions from different sectors and Social Protection contribution, among others, invested in the Nutrition Sensitive Direct Support with a package of Cash Transfer, community mobilization and enhancement of uptake of Anti Natal and Post Natal services. “Investing in early years of children is a means to break the cycle of intergenerational poverty”, he added on.

Commenting on the training, Mrs. MUKAMANA Claudette, Vice Mayor in charge of Social Affairs lauded LODA for organizing this inclusive initiative to empower different staff under the social protection flagship as this will enable them to participate to the effective implementation of NSDS. “We highly appreciate LODA authorities for technical and financial support given to us so as to effectively implement social protection programmes in general and NSDS in particular. Although no impact assessment has been conducted yet, we assure you that from our daily monitoring, we notice that there is a positive impact on beneficiaries’ life conditions thanks to various social protection schemes”, she said. The Vice Mayor pledged to advocate towards the District Executive Committee for in turn organizing training of trainers across the 15 Sectors of Nyamasheke District so as to efficiently and effectively implement NSDS, and in the end get rid of stunting and malnutrition. She also promised to avail the training calendar not later than 10^th June 2020.

Similar training sessions are being conducted across the fifteen Districts found with the highest level of stunting. These include Bugesera, Kayonza, Gicumbi, Gakenke, Burera, Karongi, Rutsiro, Huye, Ngororero, Nyabihu, Ruhango, Nyamasheke, Nyamagabe, and Gisagara. Due to measures in place to fight the COVID-19 pandemic, Rubavu and Rusizi Districts will benefit from such training in the near future. According to DHS, 2015 the stunting rate was at 38% and the Government of Rwanda is committed to reduce it to 15% by 2024.