Report on a meeting with Local Leaders in Rusizi District on sustainability of CHC activities
by Joseph Katabarwa, Country Director, Africa AHEAD Rwanda
22nd January, 2015
Hygiene behavior change is a process which cannot be achieved immediately. It is only by constant reinforcement and monitoring that the CHC members will all reach the required standard. It is in this line that AA sponsored a discussion meeting for (participants) so that they can own, develop and sustain CHC activities. Indeed, from the 50 Classic CHC Villages established since February 2014, tangible results are observable in terms of safe water use (23% increase), sanitation (50% increase in terms of latrine covered and 30.4% increase inside latrine hygiene), hygiene(41.1% increase) and need reinforcement for sustainability.
The meeting-discussion that attracted more than 100 participants (90% of attendance) aimed at discussing the challenges and solutions for better implementation of CBEHPP/CHC and to strengthen leadership participation and ownership. Under the guidance of the District leadership and Africa AHEAD Rwanda staff the debate was very successful and included;
- Updates on CHCs dialogue sessions, recommended practices, initiatives and challenges;
- CHC activities-practices’ sustainability and way forward and;
- Strategies for prevention and control of hygiene related diseases and ill-health conditions.
It is after discussions that the participants resolved to engage themselves in monitoring of CHC activities and integrate CHC activities in different programmes for sustainability such as income generation activities e.g. soap making, social cultural and sustainable hygiene practices in planned performance contract between a household and the head of the village (Imihigo y’ingo).
Very happy, the participants to the meeting agreed with the District representatives to refine the resolutions and submit them to the District for follow up.
What a success story, in Rusizi district! CHC is in the heart of local leaders and this will enable the prevention of health, hygiene and nutrition related diseases and in so doing so will enhance sustainable community development.