Transformative Partnership in Fighting against Malnutrition
Interview taken as part of the Most Significant Change Evaluation Technique applied by the SUN alliance to evaluate changes occurred as a result of the implementation of the LR.
Interviewed: FERDINAND MAOMBI MANIRIHO, Gisagara District Health Director, he has been so committed to taking part on the LR and was facilitating the official encounters between LR team and the local authorities.
Date: April 25, 2017
Role and involvement in the Learning Route: As a director of health at district level I was supposed to coordinate all the activities of learning route at district; Facilitation by moderating the sessions during visit to Gisagara District.
Changes that occurred as a result of the LR.
Good changes
District authorities realised the activities to fight malnutrition have been recognized at national and international level.
There is increased partnership between the government and partners.
The community was encouraged / motivated by the visit (LR).
Bad changes
No bad changes occurred
MOST significant change: Increased collaboration between the government and partners
Why did you choose this particular story? Eg. why was it significant to you?
I have chosen the above story as the most significant change among many others because I believe that it is the pillar of achievements , the more you work together the higher will be the achievements , and vice versa.
What was it like before
Before we were used to meet with all partners (economic, social and health) and District Plan to Eliminate Malnutrition was there coordinated at district level but in a routine way, without expecting attractive sound from abroad.
JADF was bringing all partners in single forum.
What support did the LR provide that caused the change? (How did LR influence the change?)
During learning Route we were astonished by hearing we were learning route point of visit from abroad and we decided to reinforce.
What it is like now?
Partnership/attention has been increased and expanded to other aspect of well being (Economic, Health, Social…) so that we become also champions in that area.
What the tangible examples of the change?
Frequency of meetings as result of increased coordination and in order to avoid possible reverse situation in malnutrition rates.
Materialize partners’ activities to the communities.
Sustain the activities of partners who are phasing out in order to maintain the BPs
CHAI has supported the District with FBF (Fortified Blended Foods that are being distributed among PLW and children U2 as direct food aid from government) coordinator to oversee the implementation of the program.
The contract of District Plan to Eliminate Malnutrition coordinator was also extended under UNICEF support.
