Under the UNFPA Special Program of Assistance to Myanmar, JOICFP executed the first cycle of the component project “Information and Education for Behavior Change” from 2002 to 2006.

This project featured two modalities to reach the community, namely through the Community Support Group (CSG) volunteers, and Youth Information Corner (YIC) volunteers. Coverage expanded to a total of 27 Townships, from the initial two, covering approximately over five million people. Currently, there are around 30,000 CSG volunteers and over 1,000 YIC volunteers active in the project sites.

The new cycle of the UNFPA Program beginning from 2007 aims to expand to a further 28 Townships, that is, seven new ones a year.

In December 2006, an annual review was held for 13 project Townships in upper Myanmar. Each Township sent a representative from CSG, YIC, the township medical officer, and a health assistant that coordinated with the YIC.

The participants were able to exchange information and share their successes and difficulties. They also took part in a field trip to another project township in Magwe Divisionto exchange information with local CSG and YIC members there.

During the mid-term review held in 2005, consultants had seen how the project was sustainable and effective, as well as being cost effective, in promoting Behavior Change Communication (BCC) at the community level. Referrals made by CSGs and YICs had increased, contributing to improving reproductive health, such as in reducing MMR, increasing ANC coverage and the acceptance of family planning.

CSG members ask questions on sustainability and problems faced in the community when referring patients to health institutions

Discussions at the annual meeting revealed a strong sense of ownership and commitment, and the Central Health Education Bureau (CHEB), the implementing government partner, strongly promotes self-reliance. Volunteers have been fundraising to provide transportation costs to the hospital by collecting donations from villagers, or by selling food at community festivals, for example.

Furthermore, the people of the project are looking to the future, thinking about how to motivate and train the next generation of CSG/YIC volunteers.

Participants prepare their plan of action of the next year activities

CHEB itself would benefit from capacity building as training, retraining and taking care of so many volunteers as the project expands is very demanding. CSGs are also often asked for information that can be given to villagers, and motivating CSGs needs to be taken into account.

A Health Assistant presents the weaknesses and strengths of the YIC and CSG activities in his area