IBFAN Africa recently funded a capacity-building training for community-group counsellors in Guinea-Bissau.

The training aimed to strengthen counselling skills on IYCF in the context of HIV and the 15 participants were selected from nine of the 21 islands that make up Guinea-Bissau. Participants were community workers including religious leaders.

The training was also used as an opportunity to conduct advocacy and awareness activities including inviting prominent policy/decision makers and community leaders to the opening and closing ceremonies. Radio programmes were also broadcast to raise awareness of issues surrounding IYCF, breastfeeding and HIV and the care of infant and young children.