Mzimba learns strategies for promoting nutrition

M’Mbelwa District Council Nutrition Coordinating Committee team leader Jacob Mkandawire says they have acquired new strategies of promoting nutrition and hygiene in Mzimba District.

He said this on Friday in Thyolo at the end of a two-day learning visit to Mulanje and Thyolo districts.

During the visit, the committee members learned how the two districts are mobilising communities to fight malnutrition and stunted growth under Afikepo project.

The committee learnt, among others, how Mulanje District Council Nutrition Coordinating Committee uses drama to reach out to people with nutrition and hygiene messages.

Mkandawire said they will try to practise the lessons to improve stunted growth in Mzimba which is at 39 percent against the national prevalence rate of 35 percent.

He said: “Our colleagues are using drama to reach out to communities, which has proved to be working. People are embracing change in terms of sanitation in their homes.

“We believe back home we need to replicate the same by rejuvenating our drama groups.”

Afikepo Mulanje district project officer Elton Kufakosaleka said drama performances are instrumental in influencing behaviour change among communities.

“After Cyclone Freddy, many houses and toilets were washed away. We have used interactive drama performances to rally the people to reconstruct their toilets to achieve hygiene and avoid open defaecation,” he said.

Mary Masamba from Sakoma Village in Traditional Authority Bvumbwe said she has a backyard garden where she grows vegetables to ensure her family eats the recommended six food groups.

Mzimba Civil Society Organisations Network chairperson Christopher Melele, who was part of the delegation, said he was impressed with the strategies.

“We will replicate in Mzimba what we have learnt,” he said.