Savings Groups as a Platform for Multi-dimensional Programming JENNIFER ORGLE
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Utilizing Savings Groups to Improve Maternal and Child Nutrition
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Savings Groups as a Platform for Multi-dimensional Programming JENNIFER ORGLE
- 1. Utilizing Savings Groups to Improve Maternal and Child Nutrition Nutrition at the Center | January 2013 – December 2017
- 3. VSLA Membership Over 500,000 Over 200,000 Over 100,000 Under 75,000 NoVSLAs BURUNDI 173,222 MALAWI 200,644 ZAMBIA 1,000 ZIMBABWE 152,439 LESOTHO 15,012 SOUTH AFRICA 13,395 ANGOLA 9,115 1000 Nautical Miles5000 © Copyright Bruce Jones Design Inc. 2004 NIGER 288,564 N. SUDAN 13,602 S. SUDAN 6,512 ETHIOPIA 145,890 ERITREA 4,000 UGANDA 739,158 DRC 65,975 RWANDA 306,933 MALI 143,301 EGYPT 18,947 BENIN 18,254CDI 25,943 LIBERIA 8,701 SIERRA LEONE 49,644 VSLA Membership in Africa 3,657,940 *Data as of June 2013 MADAGASCAR 19,120 TANZANIA 470,362 KENYA 618,161
- 4. Formative Research Findings: • Social norms surrounding foods o Pregnant women discouraged to certain foods (peanuts, soy, eggs) o Taboo foods for infants: Plantains, soy, cassava, and groundnuts o Reduce consumption during pregnancy for fear of delivering a large baby • Role of older women in feeding practices • Men’s decision making roles Nutrition at the Center in Benin May 24, 2016 3
- 5. VSLA platform used to deliver integrated nutrition, food security, WASH, gender empowerment messages PLW groups = 85 Men’s only groups = 22 Men and women groups = 41 Influential people groups = 20 May 24, 2016 4 Total VSLA groups = 169
- 6. How using VSLAs as a platform works • Trainers: VSLA community facilitator • VSLA meetings generally every week • Local NGO facilitators meet with VSLA community facilitators once a month for training/coaching • MIS data collection May 24, 2016 5 Time required in each meeting Description of activity 45 mins – 1 hour Regular savings and loan meeting 20-30 minutes Nutrition, health, food security, WASH, GE participatory learning session 10 minutes Commitments and next steps
- 7. VSLA Messaging • Maternal, Infant, Young Child Nutrition Optimal nutrition during pregnancy and lactation, breastfeeding and complementary feeding, iron and folic acid supplements • Health services Antenatal care and postnatal care visits • Food security Homestead gardening, fortification of locally available food • WASH Handwashing, separating children from feces, sanitation practices • Gender empowerment Dialogues around gender social norms May 24, 2016 6
- 8. VSLA Attendance Rates May 24, 2016 7 66% 71% 79% 72% 72% 55% 60% 65% 70% 75% 80% Men only Women only Influential People Mixed (Men and Women) All % Attendance Rates
- 9. VSLA Drop Out Rates May 24, 2016 8 8.80% 4.80% 4.70% 2.40% 3.90% 0.00% 1.00% 2.00% 3.00% 4.00% 5.00% 6.00% 7.00% 8.00% 9.00% 10.00% Men only Women only Influential People Mixed (Men and Women) All % Drop Out Rates
- 10. VSLA Return on Savings 33% 15% 38% 35% 27% 0% 5% 10% 15% 20% 25% 30% 35% 40% Men only Women only Influential People Mixed (Men and Women) All % Return on Savings May 24, 2016 9
- 11. Testimony from husband “Before, we didn’t know how to take care of our children. We thought that was women’s business. Now that we know, we can help our wives to make sure that our children eat right at every age. But it’s up to us to tell our families and all of our neighbors about what we know.” -Innocent Mentonou Men’s group member May 24, 2016 10
- 12. Testimony from Grandmother “Since I’ve joined a VSLA, I have become independent. I make my decisions with my own money. And now that I’m getting information about child nutrition, I am also able to help my daughter feed her baby. I’m getting the right advice about health, too, so I can pass it on.” - Emiline Soumenou Influential group member May 24, 2016 11
- 13. Sustainability of VSLA groups Influencers affect social norm change around nutrition behaviors VSLAs are an attractive platform to target those other than PLW with nutrition-specific messaging Influential people and mixed groups show positive savings/loan results Additional incomes increases household investments in nutritious foods Key Observations May 24, 2016 12
- 14. Limited time to deliver messages 20-30 minutes Reinforce topics in subsequent meetings Dual focus on savings and loans and nutrition, food security, WASH, gender empowerment messages Length of time to establish VSLA platforms Time needed to influence entrenched perceptions and practices Challenges May 24, 2016 13