A Month of Deepening Impact

This November, our journey of supporting communities across Rwanda continued with renewed energy and purpose. Month after month, our field staff demonstrate what true commitment looks like—walking alongside families, strengthening frontline workers, and amplifying the behaviours that build healthier and more resilient communities. November was no exception. It was a month defined by high-impact field activities, strong partnerships, community-led action, and remarkable progress across all IMENA-supported districts.

⁠⁠Presenting Imena Phase one Results to LODA

One of the most significant achievements this month was the central-level engagement with the Local Administrative Entities Development Agency of Rwanda, where Heza Initiative and UNICEF presented the outcomes of IMENA Phase one.

The meeting brought together LODA leadership, UNICEF technical teams, and our Heza staff to: Review key results from IMENA Phase one, Discuss operational insights and lessons from field implementation, Strengthen national alignment and coordination, Explore opportunities for scaling IMENA to additional districts.

Government representatives expressed deep appreciation for the extraordinary achievements of Frontline Functionaries (FLFs), reinforcing the value of community-based behaviour change models. A joint national field visit was planned as a follow-up step to harmonize approaches and evaluate readiness for expansion.

Imena Program : Monthly Friday Egg Cooking Demonstrations

Throughout November, our field teams maximized community engagement platforms—from community dialogues to saving groups, ECD centers, Umuganda, and Umugoroba w’Ababyeyi. As part of reinforcing nutrition behaviours, all districts conducted the Monthly Friday Egg Cooking Demonstrations, highlighting the role of eggs in preventing/fighting malnutrition. across all centers, Over 500 eggs were cooked and shared More than 500 children and caregivers joined the sessions, Families learned simple, nutritious, culturally relevant recipes as Caregivers renewed their commitment to “One Egg Per Child Every Day”.

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This activity continues to be one of the most impactful drivers of improved dietary practices at household level.

Distribution of Teaching Aids to Empower Frontline Functionaries

One of the most impactful milestones of November was the nationwide distribution of Teaching Aids to Frontline Functionaries (FLFs). During IMENA Phase I, many FLFs shared a common challenge: the absence of simple, standardized, easy-to-use tools that could support them in delivering consistent messages to the community. Recognizing this gap, much efforts were invested in the development of comprehensive, user-friendly, and visually engaging materials designed specifically for community outreach.

This month, we proudly printed and distributed around 500 high-quality Teaching Aid booklets and posters across all five IMENA districts. These materials were carefully crafted to capture the five key IMENA behaviours.

The impact was immediately visible. FLFs expressed renewed confidence and excitement as they received the materials—many noting that these tools would significantly enhance the quality of their sessions with families. With clear visuals and structured content, they can now communicate complex ideas in a way that is accessible, memorable, and culturally appropriate.

This distribution not only strengthens community engagement but also reinforces IMENA’s long-term goal: building a highly skilled, well-equipped network of frontline actors capable of driving sustainable behaviour change in every household they serve.

Nduwimana Jean Claude, a Frontline Functionary in Kirehe district, reflected on the difference the new teaching aids have made in his daily work:

“Before receiving these materials, the information I could share with families was very limited. For example, I often struggled to mention more than two benefits of eggs. Today, I enter a session with confidence, knowing I can explain five or more—because even if I forget something, I simply refer to the teaching aid and provide complete, accurate information to the community.

The balanced diet illustration has been a real game changer. The visuals make everything clearer, allowing me to speak less and show more. Families understand the messages quickly because they can see the concepts instead of only hearing them.”

Major Milestone: Participation in Gisagara District Umuganda

A major highlight of November was the collaborative Umuganda activity held on 29th November 2025 in Gisagara District (Muganza Sector, Rwamiko Cell), bringing together over 150 community members, including more than 50 youths.

Heza Initiative, in partnership with the district and all Frontline Functionaries, worked together to advance sanitation and hygiene goals. To mention a few, Completion of a standard household toilet for two families, Successful brick baking for continued toilet construction efforts, Mobilizing families to prioritize proper sanitation facilities were among the key results of the activity.

The Executive Secretary of Muganza Sector expressed strong appreciation for the partnership and urged all households to ensure they have standard sanitation systems.

A memorable moment was a performance sketch by the EP Rwamiko Eco-Club, powerfully illustrating the consequences of poor sanitation.

Following the community activity, FLFs participated in a teaching demonstration session, allowing supervisors to assess content delivery, provide feedback, and address operational challenges.

After Umuganda, Alice Mwizerwa, Program coordinator, shared with the community a message of encouragement.

Supporting vulnerable families to access a standard latrine is key to better community health. I encourage you to keep this momentum and walk with us to ensure every household has a standard latrine by December.

Faces of Change : Celebrating Our Champions

November was also a month of celebrating the extraordinary individuals who carry our mission forward every day. Our Faces of Change feature highlighted four field staff whose leadership, compassion, and consistency are driving meaningful transformation in their communities. we celebrated Francoise Isugi Wihogora, Bertile Cyiza Nyirahirwa, Constantin Uwiringiyimana and Jerome Nshimiyimanafor their commitment to advancing community health.

Their stories remind us that impact begins with people who step forward—those who show up, serve with heart, and inspire others to do the same.