Training of Trainers (ToT)

Training of Trainers
UNITAR

The overall objective of the Training of Trainers (ToT) workshop was to train healthcare professionals as confident and competent trainers with the skills to plan, conduct and evaluate breastfeeding education training. The ToT event also provided training and learning solutions and tools to improve breastfeeding initiation rates and duration, as well as women's breastfeeding knowledge and skills.

Through the training provided by the trained trainers, parents will be in control of their own breastfeeding journey and make well-informed choices while ensuring that healthcare workers, families, communities, and employers have the resources and knowledge they need to effectively support women to breastfeed.

At the end of the course, participants were able to:

  • Understand the science behind breastfeeding;
  • Describe the impact of breastmilk and breastfeeding on the health of mothers and infants, and;
  • Understand the main structural and individual challenges facing women regarding initiating and continuing breastfeeding. 

The course enabled them to have the necessary skills to:

  • Develop practical tools to support mothers breastfeeding at home, in health centres, workplaces, and society.
  • Communicate the importance of breastfeeding to healthcare professionals, mothers, and caregivers/partners.
  • Assess the veracity of common beliefs about breastfeeding.
  • Support breastfeeding mothers at home, health centres, work, and in the community.

San Salvador, El Salvador

San Salvador, El Salvador
UNITAR

Training

The project consisted of a one-day Training of Trainers (ToT) workshop titled “The Magic Drop: Supporting mothers along the journey in Central America, Cuba & Dominican Republic”. This event took place on July 19, 2024, in San Salvador, El Salvador. 

Hosts

The training was hosted by the Government of El Salvador, UNITAR and in collaboration with its International Training Centre for Authorities and Leaders (CIFAL) York to bring together 50 nurses and midwives for the purpose of strengthening their skills and knowledge of breastfeeding practices, while providing them with tools to train expectant mothers and their partners. 

Background

The Training of Trainers (ToT) Workshop aligned with SDGs 2 and 3, as promoting breastfeeding education includes ending hunger, improving nutrition, and promoting health and well-being. This ToT sought to equip participants with the necessary skills to:

  1.  Understand the scientific basis of breastfeeding. 
  2. To describe the impact of breast milk and breastfeeding on maternal and child health. 
  3. Understand the major structural and individual challenges women face in initiating and continuing breastfeeding. 

Experts and Trainers

  • Dr. Alberto Heart, Pediatrician Neonatologist, Panama City Clinic
  • Dr. Ali Asgary, Director CIFAL York and Professor, York University, Canada
  • Dr. Gabriel Vinderola, Associate Professor of Microbiology, Universidad Nacional del Litoral, Argentina
  • Lic. Beti Flores, Homebirth Midwife; Reproductive Health Specialist, Mexico 
  • Dr. Juan Morales, Director of the Comprehensive Maternal Perinatal and Childhood Directorate, Ministry of Health El Salvador 
  • Mrs. Vicki Blackman, Midwife; Public Health Specialist, UNITAR
  • Ms. Claudia Juarez, Project Coordinator, UNITAR

Abidjan, Ivory Coast

Abidjan, Ivory Coast
UNITAR

Training

The project consisted of a one-day Training of Trainers (ToT) workshop titled “Promoting Breastfeeding Education in Sub-Saharan Africa”. This event took place on December 12, 2023, in Abidjan, Ivory Coast.

Hosts

The training was hosted by UNITAR in collaboration with its International Training Centre for Authorities and Leaders (CIFAL) Dakar with the goal of bringing together 25 nurses and midwives. The main aim was to provide a variety of educational tools that will target diverse audiences at policy, organizational, and community levels on protecting, promoting, and maintaining breastfeeding.

Background

Building on the Regional Training held in Dakar, Senegal the Sub-Saharan Africa – Breastfeeding Education Initiative (SSA-BFEI), the ToT was primarily aligned with SDGs 2 and 3, as promoting breastfeeding education includes ending hunger, improving nutrition, and promoting health and well-being. The ToT sought to equip participants with the necessary skills to:

  1. Develop practical tools to support breastfeeding mothers at home, in health centres, in the workplace and in society.
  2. Communicate the importance of breastfeeding to health professionals, mothers and caregivers/partners.
  3. Support breastfeeding mothers at home, at the health centre, at work and in the community.

Experts and Trainers

  • Professor Cisee Lassina, Head of Department of the Pediatric Unit of Trecheville Hospital, Member of the SIP, Ivory Coast.
  • Dr. Denis T. Kouely, Nutrition Expert, Project/Programme Manager, Quality Manager, National Nutrition Programme, Ministry of Health, Public Hygiene and CMU.
  • Dr. Marie-Hélène Aké-Assi, MCA of Pediatrics, University Hospital of Cocody, UFR SMA – UFHB

Dakar, Senegal

Dakar
UNITAR

Training

The project consisted of a two-day Training of Trainers (ToT) workshop titled “Improving Breastfeeding Education in Sub-Saharan Africa”. This event took place on March 15-16, 2023, in Dakar, Senegal.

Hosts

The training was hosted in collaboration with the Municipality in collaboration with the Municipality of Dakar with the goal of bringing together fifty midwives and nurses from Senegal, Cameroon, Ivory Coast, Gavon, and Mali to provide training and learning solutions and tools to improve breastfeeding initiation and duration rates.

Outcome

The workshop developed confident, competent trainers with the skills to plan, conduct, and evaluate training in breastfeeding.

Connection to SDGs

The ToT was primarily aligned with SDGs 2 and 3, as promoting breastfeeding education includes ending hunger, improving nutrition, and promoting health and well-being. This workshop in Sub-Saharan Africa has been the first example to respond to the goal of increasing exclusive breastfeeding outlined in the Global Breastfeeding Education Initiative.

Experts and Trainers

  • Professor Lassina Cissé, Head of the Pediatric Unit of Trecheville Hospital; member of the SIP, Ivory Coast.
  • Professor Elaine Kuissi, Head of the Neonatology Department of the Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Foundation Mère et Enfant Jeanne Ebori; Member of SOGAPED, Gabon
  • Professor Faculty, Head of Pediatrics at Pikine Hospital; President of the Scientific Committee, Nutrition SOSEPED, Senegal.
  • Professor Anne Esther Njom Nlend, Pediatrician and President of the Cameroonian Society of Perinatal Medicine, President of the Cameroonian Association of Women Doctors, Cameroon

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