KIMWODA and COBIHESA to promote environmental health in Mishenyi district

Capacity building efforts  to mitigate the increasing environmental threats in Mishenyi district , Kagera region will receive a ‘push ‘ through a partnership between 2 indigenous Tanzanian NGOs concluded on August 9, 2011 in Dar es Salaam.

In a memorandum of understanding signed between  COBIHESA and KIMWODA, the two organisations will initiate the development of a training programme on environmental health issues for ward and village level actors in Mishenyi district , in collaboration with the district council and local NGOs, CBOs and FBOs.

COBIHESA will avail facilitation materials on environmental health, while KIMWODA will facilitate the organisation of the training workshops at ward and village level . Both partners will also jointly   mobilise the needed resources for organisation, implementation and evaluation of the trainings.

KIMWODA , a women and child rights organisation , has been implementing various development initiatives in Mishenyi district, in collaboration with grass root communities, including an intervention for vulnerable children. According to Ms Leocadia Rugambwa, the Director of KIMWODA, the training on environmental health for ward and village level executive officers and extension workers is urgently needed to build the capacity of local governments to address the growing threats to the environment in the district.

The training will be based on five modules:

• ·Module1: Community mobilization for environmental health( Uhamasishaji Jamii Juu ya Afya ya Mazingira).
• ·Module 2: Protecting Natural Resources for All (Tuhifadhi Maliasili kwa Manufaa ya wote).
• ·Module 3: Solid Waste Management (Usimamizi wa Taka Ngumu).
• ·Module 4: Building Toilets and Effective Use (Ujenzi wa Vyoo na Matumizi Yake).
• ·Module 5: Management of Toxic Wastes and Chemicals( Usimamizi wa Taka na Kemikali zenye Sumu).

The package has been adapted and translated into Kiswahili by COBIHESA from the Community Guide to Environmental Health , a comprehensive handbook for development workers developed collaboratively with input from actors in over 30 countries, and published by Hesperian Foundation.