Gwanda, Zimbabwe
Initial Training
International HELP partnered Educational Foundation Trust in Gwanda in 2022. Gwanda is a gold mining town, about two hours from Bulawayo. The high prevalence of preventable disease and limited access to healthcare showed that Community Health Workers (CHWs) can help with health education and disease prevention. International HELP trained and certified a total of 17 CHWs on the most relevant health topics to the community. The CHWs are empowered and equipped to offer health education and basic health services to Gwanda.
Training Topics
- Vital Signs
- Examining & Caring for a Sick Person
- HIV/AIDS & STIs
- Nutrition & Related Illnesses
- Renal Failure
- GI Issues
- Women’s Health
- Water, Sanitation, & Hygiene
- Malaria
I would like to thank the organizers of this program, the International HELP Organization and all the staff, for training us in Community Health Work. I myself, I’m now well equipped with the knowledge that I didn’t have before and I promise that will help me to help my community, my family, and everyone that I know. This also gave me confidence in my line of work as well as a certificate. I also want to thank the Organization for being able to provide us with the necessary tools/machines for blood pressure, first aid kit, and everything that we will be using. That will go a long way in helping the community and making our country a better place and disease free. Thank you so much and much appreciated.
– CHW Alice
Where:
Zimbabwe
Date:
December 2022
# of CHWs Trained:
17
Focus:
Initial Training
Advanced Maternal Health Certification
International HELP continued the collaboration with Educational Trust Foundation to train and further equip the Community Health Workers (CHWs) in advanced maternal health. The 11 active CHWs attended the 5-day training on maternal health issues most relevant to Gwanda. In the upcoming year, IHELP looks forward to seeing the creative ways in which this group, particularly in this rural area of Zimbabwe, accompanies pregnant women and babies in their community!
Training Topics
- First Aid Review
- Pregnancy Overview
- Prenatal Care
- Labor & Birth
- Assisting in an Emergency Delivery
- Postnatal & Neonatal Care
- Breastfeeding
- Danger Signs During Pregnancy & Birth
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. I would also like to thank the people who donated to IHELP, for the materials, and the money to do printouts for the booklets we were given during the training, they are so useful and have so much information that we needed. Thank you so much. We appreciate the love, the care, and the education we are getting from IHELP as community workers. Thank you so much. I would also love to thank Maddy and Ashley for making the training to be extremely fun. I loved it.
– CHW Kimberley
Where:
Zimbabwe
Date:
November 2023
# of CHWs Trained:
11
Focus:
Maternal Health
Advanced Nutrition Certification
International HELP continued their collaboration with Educational Foundation Trust to further equip the 8 active CHWs in advanced nutrition, specifically to address malnutrition and rising noncommunicable diseases in Gwanda. They learned to screen children for malnutrition, counsel families on healthy diets using locally available foods, and respond to nutrition-related health concerns. We also provided each CHW with a glucometer and trained them to screen for diabetes and respond to diabetic emergencies.
Training Topics
- Healthy Diet & Weight
- Diabetes
- Using a Glucometer
- Diabetic Emergencies
- Nutrition-Related Illnesses
- GI Issues
- Malnutrition
- Nutritional Deficiencies
- Changing Health Behaviors
- Qualities of a Successful CHW
I want to take this moment to express my heartfelt gratitude for the Advanced Nutrition Course, the training tools, and the support, as well as the glucometer equipments. On behalf of all the CHWs in Gwanda we appreciate the time and effort you have invested in in us. Your support will help us to achieve our goal and improve our health and the community at large. Thank you for your kindness, generosity, and dedication. Your contributions are valued and appreciated.
– CHW Alice
Where:
Zimbabwe
Date:
May 2025
# of CHWs Trained:
8
Focus:
Nutrition
