Nutrition is a key focus area for Peace Corps/Guinea’s Feed the Future program, making a collaboration between Peace Corps/Guinea and SPRING a natural fit. SPRING provided support to implement and monitor nutrition and nutrition-sensitive interventions in selected Peace Corps programs (such as in The Gambia) through the West Africa Food Security Partnership.
A total of 40 participants, including Peace Corps Volunteers from a variety of sectors (Health, Education, Agro-Forestry, Environment) and their counterparts, including midwives, physicians, veterinarians, teachers and agricultural technicians gathered in early September at the Agro-Forestry Center in Mamou for the three-day training of trainers. The training focused on key infant and young child feeding practices and messages, the importance of micronutrients and women’s nutrition, and in crucial negotiation and interpersonal communication skills.
The training in Mamou was highly interactive and applied a variety of training methodologies, including working groups, brainstorming, role plays, case studies, simulation, and practice. The participants learned how to conduct negotiations, how to observe breastfeeding and help lactating mothers learn correct positioning and attachment, and how to screen for stunting in children by using the middle upper arm circumference to measure brachial perimeter.
Overall, the participants were pleased with the training and felt that the skills they learned were extremely applicable to their work. They appreciated the high degree of participation and teamwork. Participants and facilitators were also very excited to welcome Dr. Fatoumata Diallo, head of nutrition for UNICEF in the Western region of Guinea, who was kind enough to share her knowledge with the trainers.