Linkages and LLLI - An International Partnership
Maryanne Stone-Jimenez
Training and Community Coordinator,
LINKAGES
From: LEAVEN, Vol. 37 No. 1, February-March 2001, p. 24
LINKAGES is a global behavior
change project which focuses on four components: optimal breastfeeding
practices, the timely introduction of complementary feeding, Lactational
Amenorreha Method (LAM), and maternal nutrition. The Academy for Educational
Development (AED), La Leche League International (LLLI), Wellstart International
(WSI), Populations Services International (PSI, a social marketing project),
CARE, Catholic Relief Services (CRS), and World Vision (WV) have formed
a consortium to work together toward the design and implementation of
strategies that contribute to improved infant feeding behaviors, maternal
nutrition, and the use of LAM.
LLLI has contributed its
mother-to-mother support group expertise through the design of a Training
of Trainers module for non-government organizations (NGOs), Ministries
of Health and the private sector to train community-based health care
volunteers to lead breastfeeding mother-to-mother support groups within
their communities. LINKAGES has contracted LLL Leaders to field test
the Mother-to-Mother Support Group training module (Ghana) as well as
the LAM module (Nicaragua), to implement trainings in breastfeeding
mother-to-mother support groups to NGOs (Bolivia and Niger), and to
provide training in volunteer testing and counseling to women who live
in an area of high HIV prevalence (Zambia).
LINKAGES is also working
with La Leche League of Guatemala to test the well-known and widespread
strategy for promoting breastfeeding: mother-to-mother support groups.
This study tests the hypothesis that La Leche League of Guatemala breastfeeding
support (including mother-to-mother support groups and home visits)
improves breastfeeding practices at the community level. A second hypothesis
tests whether increasing the ratio of breastfeeding counselors to women
of reproductive age results in significantly higher rates of exclusive
breastfeeding and lower rates of bottle usage among children less than
six months old.
At the Regional Latin American
workshop in Puerto Rico, November 14-15, 2000, 35 LLL Leaders from Puerto
Rico, Mexico, Central and South America participated in a Mother-to-Mother
Support Group training. Their training was funded by LINKAGES and UNICEF
and was given by LLL of Guatemala and Maryanne Stone-Jimenez. These
trained LLL Leaders now form a national cadre of trainers able to provide
technical assistance to local and national private voluntary organizations,
government entities, and non-governmental organizations in the formation
of community-based mother-to-mother support groups.
|
Specific
Objectives of the Training of Trainers:
- Train LLL Leaders
in participatory methodology of training breastfeeding counselors
in breastfeeding and complementary feeding basics, and the formation
of Community-bases Mother-to-Mother Support Groups;
- Share a Training
Guide with LLL Leaders for future trainings in their countries;
- Share and adapt
materials for the training;
- Discuss follow-up
activities for the breastfeeding counselors;
- Share the Community
Information System designed by LLL Guatemala to collect data.
|
Training
Opportunities for Leaders
Rebecca Magalhães
LLLI Action and Development Director
Maryanne Stone-Jimenez
Training and Community Coordinator, LINKAGES
As interest in breastfeeding
and mother-to-mother support has increased over the past few
years, LLL Leaders have been contracted individually by national
and international agencies and non-governmental organizations
(NGOs) to work on specific projects or to provide technical
assistance on particular breastfeeding activities. For example,
starting in the late 1970s and early 1980s, LLL Leaders from
Honduras, Guatemala, Brazil, Germany, and Kenya were involved
in both LLLI and non-LLLI projects and activities. Some of the
individual work of Leaders was the byproduct of the LLLI Child
Survival Project, implemented from 1988-1992.
The basis for these
consultancies was virtually the individual Leader's experience
and her work as a volunteer for breastfeeding promotion and
support. For the most part, these Leaders had not received specific
training or authority from LLLI for this work, and were acting
as individuals rather than as LLL Leaders.
To increase the potential
for LLLI to be involved in the provision of technical assistance
in breastfeeding and mother-to-mother support, LLLI received
funding to compile a list of LLL Leaders residing in developing
countries who are willing and able to provide this type of assistance.
The list will be shared with private voluntary organizations
who are implementing breastfeeding promotion and support programs
in low-income communities.
As interest in breastfeeding
and mother-to-mother support continues to increase, the unique
expertise of the LLL Leader will be more and more important
and needed. If you are interested in further training opportunities
please contact:
Rebecca
Magalhães
Director, Action and Development
LLLI
957 N. Plum Grove Road
Schaumburg, IL 60173-5194 USA
Phone: 847-519-7730, ext. 260
Fax: 202-847-0035
Email: contact form |
|
Maryanne
Stone-Jimenez
Training and Community Coordinator
AED/LINKAGES
1825 Connecticut Ave., NW
Washington DC 20009-5721 USA
Phone: 202-884-8367
Fax: 202-884-8977
Email: mstone at aed.org |
|
Page last edited Sun Oct 14 09:31:42 UTC 2007.
