Learning Route meets CSA expectations
Author: Ramatu Jalloh, Scaling Up Nutrition and Immunization Civil Society Platform Sierra Leone (SUNI CSP SL)
As the curtain came down on Learning Route Rwanda 2016 and participants prepared to return to their respective countries, I wanted to get a feel of the overall experience. Being the first learning route for civil society alliances in Africa it stood as a marker for other learning routes that may be conducted in the future. I interviewed 14 participants to get their opinion on the learning route experience to determine likely change for the individual and the alliance by posing two simple questions: firstly their expectations before the learning route and secondly whether these had been met, and if so how they had been met.
Expectations before the learning route
When asked about expectations before the learning route responses ranged from discovering new programme ideas, seeing how civil society through the alliance was contributing to scaling up nutrition, and getting validation on why Rwanda was chosen for this experience.
“ I expected to come and learn from the CSA on how they are implementing interventions on nutrition from national down to community level and to learn from other countries what they were doing. I also wanted to find out about the challenges other countries are facing when it comes to advocacy to find a way forward for nutrition” Respondent A
Meeting expectations
Of the 14 respondents interviewed all of them said that their expectations had been fully met with over half of them stating that the experience had even surpassed expectations. The responses below give an indication of how much participants enjoyed the learning route.
The learning route was a wonderful experience. It was a great combination of in class and action learning. Respondent D
The Learning Route has been incredible. Way, way more than I would have imagined…the people, the experience has been wonderful. Respondent C
The idea of a CSA learning route was an excellent one, more so to be held in Rwanda was even a more excellent thought, I came here with sceptical thoughts of Rwanda, but what I have learned here is far much more important and I have a different perspective of things. Rwanda is the perfect example of how the rest of African countries should address and tackle issues of nutrition, am particularly impressed with the government commitment towards nutrition and all the strategies it has put in place to ensure they deliver on what they have set out to do. Respondent B
For most participants objectives were fully met because the learning environment was conducive. They were able to learn and talk about malnutrition in a practical and local way (Respondent E). Some respondents said that the facilitation and hosting capacity was a major contributing factor to the high level of satisfaction as these created an environment where participants were able to learn and work in a supportive space. The high rate of positive feedback can also be attributed to the type of learning approach used; encompassing participatory learning through field visits, interactive sessions with concrete outcomes such as setting up a regional hub to continue communication and engagement between the alliances and; innovation plans developed by country teams for implementation once they return home.
Summing up
In summary, participants referred to a number of takeaways form the learning route. This includes strong political will, closely followed by community led interventions designed to end malnutrition as well as community empowerment initiatives such as cooperatives and livelihood schemes that had led to better nutrition and development outcomes for communities visited.
We were given the opportunity to hear from government and other stakeholders on how they have been able to work together to improve nutrition, we then had the privilege of meeting with community members to hear why they feel interventions have been beneficial. Respondent F
When I look at the governance structure where nutrition has been made a priority…. everybody is contributing towards the cause…..I have gained a lot…seeing the effort community people are making towards change, how they embraced change. Respondent C
I will take away the coordinated strategy used by government, civil society and others for harmonised planning where all sectors come together to plan to end malnutrition…if development is to come government and individuals must be committed and this should cut across all levels… Respondent G
I like the idea of performance contracts, eat what you grow, how coops work and how they have organized themselves into structures that are working. Government commitment is so motivating. Respondent H
The overall outcome of the learning route has been motivational, triggering the need to do more to combat malnutrition in participants, who returned home with innovation plans and strategies to facilitate communication among alliances. So far the responses towards the process has been optimistic. The real impact of this experience will only become evident in the coming months as alliances work towards accelerating activities to scale up nutrition.
Participants evaluations:
