Over 470 community workers trained in regions

DODOMA: SNV Tanzania has successfully conducted a three-day transformative training for 472 Community Health Workers (CHWs) across ten districts in the Manyara, Rukwa, Singida, Dodoma and Songwe regions.

The training aimed to strengthen grassroots efforts in improving nutrition, hygiene practices, gender relations and food security.

The initiative is part of the broader NOURISH Tanzania project, which seeks to combat malnutrition through community-led, inclusive interventions.

The project is implemented by SNV in collaboration with the Ministry of Health and development partners including Farm Africa, T-MARC, RECODA and MIICO.

Speaking during the training held in Mpwapwa District, SNV’s Nutrition and Gender Equity and Social Inclusion (GESI) Coordinator, Ms Priyanka Basnet, said the programme is designed to empower CHWs as catalysts for behavioural change.

“This initiative aligns with Tanzania’s Second National Multisectoral Nutrition Action Plan (NMNAP II), which promotes inclusive strategies to eradicate all forms of malnutrition,” Ms Basnet explained.

The training focused on 13 high-impact nutrition behaviours and equipped participants to act as nutrition champions and counsellors in their communities.

CHWs will now play a central role in promoting the production and consumption of nutrient-rich foods, enhancing household hygiene and addressing gender-based barriers to health and nutrition.

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“This initiative is the foundation for reaching even the most vulnerable communities with nutritionsensitive interventions across Tanzania,” Ms Basnet noted.

“Through their engagement, these health workers will support longterm change in both attitudes and practices that impact nutrition and well-being.”

The NOURISH Tanzania project targets 168,000 smallholder farmers and incorporates gender equity, social inclusion and climatesmart agriculture.

The approach is designed to build community resilience and ensure sustainable improvements in food and nutrition security.

In addition to nutrition, the project promotes climatesmart farming and leverages partnerships with local organisations to enhance its impact.

These combined efforts aim to transform rural agricultural practices into systems that can withstand climate shocks and improve livelihoods.