From training 18 new Community Health Workers in rural El Salvador to expanding chronic disease outreach in Uganda, the spring months of 2026 highlighted growth, leadership, and the multiplying impact of community-based healthcare.
The first months of 2026 highlight resilience and growth across our Community Health Worker network. From strategic planning and expanded outreach in Uganda to emergency preparedness in El Salvador and flood response in Zimbabwe, CHWs are beginning the year with commitment and compassion.
As International HELP celebrates ten years of global impact, we’re sharing powerful stories from the Community Health Workers who are transforming health in their communities. From maternal health in Zimbabwe to nutrition training in Haiti and malnutrition screening in Uganda, these everyday leaders show what lasting change looks like in action.
Over the past two months, our Community Health Workers (CHWs) have been working diligently—hosting community events, educating neighbors, responding to local health concerns, and demonstrating creativity and commitment. Whether it’s tackling mosquito-borne diseases, helping at local clinics, or finding new ways to visibly represent their role, these CHWs continue to be the first line of health support in their communities. Here’s a look at what they’ve been up to:
The Las Negritas Community Health Workers (CHWs) rallied together with community members, church members, and children from the local school to work together to clean their community. The groups worked to pick up trash, organize recycling, and clean common spaces. This initiative not only beautified the area but also helped prevent diseases by removing trash and standing water that attract mosquitoes.
The CHWs of Ojo de Agua hosted an “Abatización” campaign, creating and distributing mosquito-killing treatment bags to prevent dengue and other mosquito-borne diseases. They went house to house to ensure proper use, showcasing a proactive approach to fighting mosquitos.
In April, CHWs in El Jute met to discuss asthma and allergies and raised concern over an uptick in Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease among children. In May, they focused on personal hygiene—covering handwashing, skin infections, and household cleanliness. In both meetings, CHWs reported taking community members’ blood pressure and helping others recognize common symptoms of illness.
The Zimbabwe CHWs have been asking for more identification to help them while they work in their communities. While in Zimbabwe in April for their Advanced Nutrition Certification, we were able to design and order t-shirts for them. The shirts were finally delivered! These shirts help legitimize their presence and reinforce their role as trusted health leaders in their neighborhoods.
These snapshots show what’s possible when CHWs are equipped, empowered, and trusted by their communities. From tackling disease outbreaks to supporting clinic operations and creating healthier environments, their ripple effect is undeniable. As we move into summer, we look forward to continued momentum—and to celebrating more CHW wins with you along the way.
After over six years of volunteering with International HELP, I finally had the opportunity to experience one of our training trips firsthand. As someone who’s worked behind the scenes for years, being on the ground, face-to-face with Community Health Workers, was humbling and inspiring.
Here are four key takeaways that left a impression on me:
One of the first things that struck me was how eager the Community Health Workers were to learn. They brought an incredible level of energy and curiosity to every session. Whether we were discussing diabetes, nutrition-related illnesses, or diving deeper into advanced concepts, their attentiveness and enthusiasm never wavered. It reminded me why education is such a powerful tool. When people are truly invested in gaining knowledge, real change becomes possible.
After years of hearing about our partners from afar, meeting them in person was a gift. There’s something incredibly powerful about looking someone in the eye, sharing a meal, and laughing together between sessions. I loved getting to know all of their names and see all their different personalities.
Hearing how our Community Health Workers have applied past trainings in their own communities was incredibly moving. They shared stories about how previous sessions had helped them improve health outcomes, educate families, and even save lives. These testimonials were a powerful reminder that what we do doesn’t just stay in the classroom, it goes outward into real communities.
While I’ve been involved in developing and supporting our training materials for years, seeing our process in action was eye-opening. The trainings are incredibly hands-on, interactive, and empowering. Watching the health workers ask thoughtful questions, engage in discussions, and take ownership of the material made me proud to be part of this project.
This trip reaffirmed my belief in the mission of International HELP:
“We envision the end of preventable diseases in underprivileged areas globally through educating and empowering local people to be healthcare leaders, whose impact will change the course of their community.”
I’m forever grateful for this experience and even more motivated to continue supporting our work!
Written By: Reagan Hearns – IHELP Development Assistant
When it comes to making healthier choices, one size does not fit all. That’s why, during our recent Advanced Nutrition Certification in Zimbabwe, we introduced the Stages of Change model—also known as the Transtheoretical Model of Behavior Change. This tool helps Community Health Workers (CHWs) recognize that people are at different levels of readiness when it comes to changing their health behaviors. Some aren’t ready to change at all, others are considering it, and some are already taking action.
Our goal in teaching this model was to equip CHWs with a deeper understanding of how to tailor their support based on where each individual is in the process. Throughout the training, we not only explored how CHWs can use this framework in their communities, but we also asked them to reflect on their own personal health behaviors. Each CHW identified a change they wanted to make in their own life and assessed which of the five stages they were currently in.
In this blog, we’ll take a closer look at what the Stages of Change model is and share reflections from CHWs who are beginning their own journeys of behavior change.
CHW Sithembiso – Garanyemba, Zimbabwe
CHW Sithabile – Gwanda, Zimbabwe
“Behavior change I want to make:
CHW Eunice – Garanyemba, Zimbabwe
CHW Elizabeth – Gwanda, Zimbabwe
“I would like to stick to my diet on diabetes since I’m diabetic:
CHW Ruth – Garanyemba, Zimbabwe
CHW Alice – Gwanda, Zimbabwe
“I grew up having a disorder of wanting more sugar in my tea or coffee and that is a big challenge that I’m struggling to change. I’ve learnt on behavior changes and since we started our trainings from International HELP in 2022, I’ve tried and still trying to reduce sugar and stop taking sugary drinks but not achieving my goals. I hope and pray that this 2025 Advanced Nutrition course will drive me to adhere to the right way of taking care of myself and promising that will do what it takes to start eating the healthy way.”
CHW Future – Garanyemba, Zimbabwe
CHW Godfrey – Garanyemba, Zimbabwe
In conclusion, the Stages of Change model has provided our Community Health Workers (CHWs) in Zimbabwe with valuable insights into how people approach behavior change. By recognizing where individuals are in their journey, CHWs can offer tailored support, making their interventions more effective and impactful. As they continue to apply these concepts, both in their own lives and within their communities, we are confident that they will inspire lasting, positive change.
As we step into 2025, our Community Health Workers (CHWs) continue to make a profound impact in their communities. From health education to life-saving interventions, their dedication is transforming lives. Here are some of the incredible highlights from January:
Group leader Fritznel trained approximately 400 children in nutrition and blood pressure monitoring. Children expressed gratitude, recognizing how this knowledge could save lives in their community:
CHWs met in their monthly meeting to discuss stress, anxiety, and depression, topics the group felt were critical for their community. One of the CHWs shared a powerful testimony about the importance of mental health discussions:
CHWs in Gwanda gathered for their first monthly meeting of 2025 to discuss rabies prevention due to frequent dog bite cases and high treatment costs, stressing the importance of dog vaccination.
CHW Success Stories:
Our CHWs are already planning impactful initiatives for the months ahead. Stay tuned for February updates, and thank you for supporting our mission to empower CHWs worldwide!
As 2024 draws to a close, we’re thrilled to reflect on the incredible work our Community Health Workers (CHWs) have accomplished. Their dedication to improving health outcomes and fostering resilience in their communities continues to inspire us. Below are highlights from July through December, showcasing their impactful initiatives across the globe:
CHWs responded to an emergency in Canton San Miguel, where a woman who had just given birth was attended to and safely transferred to the hospital in Metapán. Their swift action underscores the critical role CHWs play in emergencies.
At their monthly meeting, CHWs discussed cancer prevention and emphasized early detection and vaccination. CHW Olivia reflected: “It was very important to learn about exams to avoid uterine cancer and how crucial it is to vaccinate girls at age 11 to prevent HPV.”
CHWs led efforts to combat a dengue outbreak by fumigating mosquito breeding grounds, clearing stagnant water and trash, and educating families about prevention. Their leadership galvanized schools, clinics, and neighbors to join the fight, halting the spread of disease and protecting countless lives.
CHWs performed MUAC screenings for children, going door-to-door to identify and refer cases of malnutrition, ensuring timely care for those in need.
Youth health education took center stage as group leader Fritznel taught blood pressure monitoring to a group of school children.
Additionally, in December, CHWs participated in soft-skills training on leadership, conflict resolution, and event planning. They are preparing for a January community health event to promote behavior change.
We’re excited to launch regular blog updates, sharing the incredible work of our CHWs in real-time. Their passion and commitment inspire us, and we look forward to supporting their efforts to create healthier, more resilient communities in the coming year.
Stay tuned for more updates, and thank you for partnering with us to empower CHWs worldwide!
After a year, we officially returned to Zimbabwe! I am so excited to update you on our Community Health Workers (CHWs) and share my love for Gwanda with you all. If you have not already, be sure to read Fatou’s blog from last year’s trip to get a good background on our Zimbabwe projects. This year, Fatou was not able to join me. So, Ashley, our current Fellow, braved the 16-hour flights and traveled to Zimbabwe for the first time.
The CHWs in Gwanda and Garanyemba have been some of the most active health workers I have personally worked with. The Gwanda group has met every month since December 2022 and hosted different community events where they’ve provided TB, HIV/AIDS, and high blood pressure screening and education sessions. The Garanyemba group is more rural and thus has a different set of barriers to meeting monthly. However, this group has still remained active in their community by acting as a referral system to their local clinic, providing first-aid to farmers with work injuries, and screening for high blood pressure. After many WhatsApp messages, pictures, and videos, I was ecstatic to return in person to hear their stories and continue cheering them on in their work!
International HELP has spent the last couple of years expanding its training materials and capacities to provide the existing groups of Community Health Workers (CHWs) with advanced certifications. We have two active certifications (nutrition and maternal health) and are currently working on two more (WASH and first aid).
The maternal health certification focuses on ways health workers can help pregnant mothers in their community have a healthy pregnancy. However, additional topics are also discussed, such as how to help during a labor emergency, postnatal and neonatal care, and common childhood illnesses. In the end, we certified 14 CHWs in Garanyemba and 11 CHWs in Gwanda in Advanced Maternal Health.
My favorite aspect of this training was seeing our CHWs again! We pulled up to the church in Garanyemba on day one and our group leader, Godfrey, came running out of the church ready for a big hug. It brought me so much joy to be able to return to their rural community and show just how important they are to us. I also got to meet new members of our group (see the image above). Last year, our CHW Future was pregnant. Now, her child is a key member of our training team!
In Gwanda, each day was filled with a photo shoot to remember the time we were able to spend together. The weather was surprisingly very cold for a few days. So, unfortunately, Ashley and I are wearing the same sweatshirt and pants in every picture.
Another aspect of this training that brought me a lot of joy was seeing the growth in confidence each of our Community Health Workers (CHWs) showed. During last year’s training, both groups participated and asked many questions. However, this year was a whole different level. The groups were better engaged with us as trainers and with each other. You could evidently see that their engagement with the community and working together as a team had improved their confidence in themselves. The training was such a joy as the CHWs asked so many questions and were so engaged. Many shared how they are now “famous” in their communities as everyone knows they can go seek out health advice from the CHWs. They wish to continue becoming even more sought after with their new maternal health knowledge.
Once again, our community partner, Edu Foundation, welcomed us into Gwanda with open arms and loving spirits. To say they welcomed us in as family would be an understatement. Ashley and I were blown away by the care and hospitality shown towards us. Each morning, we would wake up to our host, Sikho, knocking on our door to let us know our warm showers were ready. Every day, our trusted driver Vincent would taxi us to and from training. Vincent and Ma-Moyo would join us each day at training to help us, but also to learn about maternal health. After training, we would head back to their offices and arrive to Vincent’s daughters preparing our lunch. In the afternoon, our besties Jerry, Mayor, and Sengezo would entertain us with card games, walks around town, or introduce us to their friends. In the evening, the men would take turns cooking us dinner or we would go to Vincent’s house to help his wife and daughters prepare dinner. Each night would usually end with a heated game of cards!
We are so grateful to have such a wonderful family in Gwanda! Without Edu Foundation, the success of our CHW training would not have been possible. We look forward to visiting them again soon!
Madeleine & Jerry
Madeleine, Vincent, Sikho, and Ashley at the Garanyemba training
Free day swim with Jerry, Sikho, and Mayor
Cooking Lessons with Vincent’s Family
Photoshoot with Sengezo (@black_is_black_21) & our Edu Foundation Team
Nightly card tournaments with Sikho and Jerry
We ventured back to Mosi-Oa-Tunia (Victoria Falls), but this time we were able to bring the entire Edu Foundation team! It was so much fun for us to get to spend that time with them, learn more about their stories, and hear more about the work they are doing for Zimbabwe.
Sometimes I find it easy to doubt the work we do. Are the health workers actually using their knowledge? Is anything changing in the community? Yet, trips like this encourage me that we are doing good work! The health workers are using their knowledge and lives in the community are changing. We heard story after story of how different community members have been affected by the CHWs. I hope some of these short testimonies can encourage you all as well:
“The training that was so fascinating and an eye opener to all of us as a group and I believe it will help our community as everyone. We thank you very much for the materials, the time committed and your much love as an organisation for raising our Gwanda and Zimbabwe flag high in bringing the best out of us and making our community free from diseases and dangers that we will/ shall prevent from spreading and that is a big thank you.” – Alice
“We want to thank you so much because of the trainings and materials that you are giving us and we are gaining a lot. Also we appreciate the knowledge that you are giving us. It helps a lot for our communities. Thank you so so much.” – Chipo
“I would like to thank International HELP for the education on pregnant women, pre and postnatal care because it was so educational, and will help my community a lot since there were a lot of deaths happening in my community both on moms and their babies…We appreciate the love, the care, and the education we are getting from IHELP as community workers. Thank you so much.” – Kimberley
I am so grateful for the wonderful support system International HELP has. Without you, none of these stories would be possible. I am honored that you trust us with your donations and continue to find ways to cheer us on. Thank you!
–Madeleine Burkholder, MPH, CPH
Program Coordinator
We went on this trip fully aware that we were leaving the comfort of our homes to live completely different lives for two weeks. Yet we arrived in Gwanda feeling overwhelmed and experiencing a bit of culture shock. They say change is never easy but our friends at Edu Foundation debunked that belief. They went above and beyond to make sure we felt as comfortable in Gwanda as we did in our own homes by making us a part of their everyday lives. We never felt alone, we were always prioritized. We shared spaces and stories and created bonds that will last a lifetime.
Emely was the last to join the class on the first day of training. She was shy and quiet and sat in the very back of the room. Her voice was so soft we could barely hear her speak even if we were up close and personal. I wasn’t sure if she felt comfortable being in the space so I assumed Emely would drop from the program after the first day. But she attended every session and despite her being the quietest in the room, we tried our best to make sure she felt included. As sessions went on, Emely began to get more comfortable. She was smiling, mingling with other CHWs, and participating during class Q&As. At graduation, Emely opened up to me and Madeleine. We learned that her husband passed away just the week before the program started and she initially felt uncomfortable coming into sessions because she was visibly the eldest in the class. She was thankful that IHELP created a safe space for her to connect with others in times of grief while teaching her how to keep her community healthy. She shared her newfound excitement to be a part of a group of women who could not only improve the health of their community but also act as a support group for her.
Salibonani! After spending time in Gwanda and getting acclimated, we were over being foreigners and were ready to live like locals! The process was a bit bumpy, but our Edu Foundation friends made it easy and enjoyable. They taught us a few phrases in Ndebele, one of the local languages, and introduced us to local foods. We absolutely fell in love.
Madeleine even learned to make Sadza, a dough-like side dish made from maize and served with most meals. We often went grocery shopping and ran errands around town with the crew. People around the town were aware of our visit and as Madeleine would say, “It’s like being a celebrity.” Our favorite part of the trip was our trip to Mosi-Oa-Tunya (Victoria Falls). The trip was a once-in-a-lifetime experience and a great introduction to the realities of living in Zimbabwe. We had a personal driver (And friend!) take us to the falls and back from Bulawayo, but we opted to take public transportation from Bulawayo to Gwanda and it was the best decision ever! Not only did we learn more about local life, but we also formed tighter bonds with our Edu Foundation friends. They became family!
Nomusa was one of the most active CHWs in class. She was engaged throughout sessions and easily understood the material being presented. She would make jokes and smile often and made sure Madeleine and I felt comfortable and welcomed. During breaks, she would ask us about our lives, how we felt about Gwanda, offer life advice, and share about women empowerment, as an aunt or mother would. She told us about her family and introduced us to her only son. Having her around was always a breath of fresh air. Despite attending all of the sessions, Nomsa was not able to attend graduation because she was going through the process of purchasing land in Bulawayo. We wanted to make sure she became certified as a CHW because of her hard work and dedication during the program. Luckily, we were able to meet up with Nomusa the day before we left Zimbabwe. She took the exam, passed with one of the highest scores, and became certified! Nomusa was one of the last CHWs we saw on our trip, little did we know that would also be our final goodbye with her. Upon our return to the States, we learned that Nomusa passed away during a trip to Bulawayo. Thank you, Nomusa, for your warmth and pleasant memories. You’ll forever live in our hearts.
Graduations were one of the best parts of the trip. Graduates were always filled with gratitude and excitement. They appreciated us coming all the way from America to work and bond with them. “That’s a very long journey,” was a phrase we heard often. Most of the people were shocked when we arrived because they had doubts about the program taking place. They couldn’t believe that there were people in America that were willing to come to Gwanda to ignite change and make their communities healthy. Not only were they thankful for the program but they appreciated our humility throughout the process. Many of the locals were sad to see us go and hoped that IHELP will come back for more training and opportunities.
“I, Anaberth Ncube from Garanyemba Gwanda, [am] so grateful and feel greatly honored by this workshop and all the supplies that we will use to help our community. It’s such a great privilege to have people who have people in the remote areas in their hearts. We are so thankful. May God continue to bless you abundantly. It was such a nice experience.”
The training in Garanyemba was a bit of a challenge due to language barriers. English is not the main language spoken in this rural area and many of the participants were not comfortable speaking it during the training. But with the help of our friends from Edu Foundation, IHELP was able to overcome this obstacle. Jerry, one of the staff members from Edu Foundation, was able to translate sessions in Ndebele and worked one-on-one with some members to help them better understand the material. The staff members even started participating in the training and assisted participants with topics such as using blood pressure cuffs and conducting CPR. Towards the end of the training, some CHWs were more confident in speaking English and even started asking us questions directly instead of having Jerry translate.
Even though we did not see much of it until the very end of our trip, there’s so much talent in Gwanda! Before going to Zimbabwe, Edu Foundation invited us to the annual TESMA (The Eminent in Sports, Music, and Academic) Award Show, which would be held towards the end of our trip. They told us how big the event would be and how we’d get to see Gwanda celebrate and recognize its top scholars, athletes, and musicians. We were so excited and honored to be invited, that as a matter of fact, ‘Pack an outfit for TESMA awards’ was on our travel prep list.
We arrived in Gwanda towards the beginning of summer (In December, so cool!), so most of the youth were out of school and back home from college but only a few participated in the IHELP training. We would mainly see the younger crowd after training, towards the end of the day. We would see them hang around Chicken Inn, a local fast food restaurant, in their mining workwear after a long day of working at the mines, as local cab drivers, and as employees at local retail stores…. But it wasn’t until the TESMA award show that we saw them as talented and passionate artists! Gwanda is young, alive, and talented and the event showcased it perfectly. It was big! Everyone was dressed in their best outfits on the red carpet. Madeleine and I were severely underdressed despite our preparation, but that did not stop us from enjoying the show.
We got to see local musicians perform their best hits. We listened to poetry in Ndebele that strongly moved us even though we did not understand the words. We saw dancers move their bodies in ways you could never imagine. And the best part, we got to see Gwanda’s youth support and celebrate their most talented with thunder-like cheers and applauses. We were in awe. It was definitely one of the highlights of our trip. Before coming back to the US, we showed our appreciation by purchasing art from a local artist (@zietheartist) and adding songs, heard at the TESMA awards, to our playlists as a way to support and always remember Gwanda’s youth and their talent. The song in our Zimbabwe Summary Video is also by a local artist, Zagoe Radge. Be sure to check out the video to see even more stories and pictures.
Meeting Madeleine was one of the best parts of the trip. I finally got to meet IHELP’s very first fellow (a legend, if you ask me)! We’ve had several virtual meetings prior to the trip but meeting in person was like getting to know each other for the first time. I was a bit overwhelmed about going on a 2-week trip, to a different continent, with a complete stranger. But as soon as I met Madeleine at the Newark airport, all of my worries were out the window.
While we waited for our flight to South Africa, Madeleine shared advice and tips that made me feel less anxious about our trip. It was at this point that I realized I’m going on this journey with a friend, not a stranger.
Implementing the CHW program in a foreign country is not the easiest but we love what we do! And as passionate public health professionals, Madeleine and I bonded through the experience. Madeleine served as my mentor for the trip and she did a phenomenal job at teaching me how to run the trainings, overcome obstacles and navigate through culture shock. Throughout the trip, we shared our stories, learned about each other’s passions, and our shared love for cats! And most importantly, we created a safe space where we could be open and vulnerable with each other when things were a bit overwhelming. By the end of our trip, Madeleine and I became family (I mean, we did share a bed for two weeks, after all)
The end of our trip was bittersweet. I missed home but I also knew I would be saying goodbye to Madeleine. We spent our last days together flying back home and lounging around airports during long layovers and I wouldn’t have had it any other way. I absolutely miss Madeleine but I know sooner than later we’ll be going on our next IHELP adventure! Thank you IHELP for recruiting such a passionate and amazing human being and thank you Madeleine for all that you do for the world and for being my friend. <3
-Fatou Cisse, IHELP Intern
