REAKING MYTHS, BUILDING HEALTH: A COMMUNITY HEALTH WORKER’S IMPACT IN KATAVI
In Kaseganyama Village, Kasekese Ward, Tanganyika District, Katavi Region, many young children are not growing as they should. Even though there -is enough food, many families do not have the right information about nutrition, and this is also contributed by some old beliefs and customs inherited from generations regarding nutrition. One of the customs in the community is mothers start feeding their infant babies few solids’ meals per day.
One strong belief among the Sukuma tribe is that if a pregnant woman eats eggs, her baby will be born bald. Due to such beliefs, many avoid eating eggs during pregnancy, causing both mom and child to miss out important protein nutrients. These local beliefs hinder children from getting the proper dieted meals they need for proper development of their bodies and health in general.
Aziza Mohamed’sgentle revolution began when she received thorough training from the VUMA Project on important topics like sexual and reproductive health (SRH), gender-based violence (GBV), child 
protection, nutrition, mental health, and how to make referrals. Equipped with this broad knowledge and skills, Aziza set out on a quiet but determined mission. Her approach was simple yet powerful: visiting households one by one. Through these visits, she spoke directly with families, helping them understand nutrition and challenge harmful myths common in her society.
Aziza Mohamed walks from house to house in Kaseganyama Village, not to judge, but to listen, share, and guide. She sits with families in their homes and explains the importance of exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months and how colostrum, the first milk, protects babies from illness. Using simple, local ingredients, she teaches parents how to make healthy, soft meals that can help children development and growth.
One common myth she addresses is the belief that feeding eggs to children or pregnant women causes babies to be bald. With patience and kindness, Aziza explains how eggs are actually full of nutrients that support growth and brain development. Gradually, families begin to trust her guidance and start making changes.
Now, most households are adding eggs and other more varieties to their children’s meals and improving hygiene at home. As a result, more children in Kaseganyama are healthier because of her work.
Aziza is more than a Community Health Worker; she is a trusted voice in her community. Her efforts are bringing real change, one family at a time, and giving children a better, healthier start in life.
