Savings Groups as a Platform for Multi-dimensional Programming JENNIFER ORGLE
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Transcript of Savings Groups as a Platform for Multi-dimensional Programming JENNIFER ORGLE
Utilizing Savings Groups to Improve Maternal and Child Nutrition Nutrition at the Center | January 2013 – December 2017
May 24, 2016
1
VSLA Membership
Over 500,000
Over 200,000
Over 100,000
Under 75,000
No VSLAs
BURUNDI 173,222
MALAWI 200,644
ZAMBIA 1,000
ZIMBABWE 152,439
LESOTHO 15,012
SOUTH AFRICA 13,395
ANGOLA 9,115
1000 Nautical Miles 500 0
© 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 18,254 CDI
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
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
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
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
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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
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
VSLA Attendance Rates
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66%
71%
79%
72% 72%
55%
60%
65%
70%
75%
80%
Men only Women only InfluentialPeople
Mixed (Menand Women)
All
% Attendance Rates
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 andWomen)
All
% Drop Out Rates
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 andWomen)
All
% Return on Savings
May 24, 2016
9
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
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
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
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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
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Merci beaucoup! Thank you!