World Food Programme Fighting Hunger Worldwide

We introduce Sotero Flores, 22, who stokes the fire in his kitchen to heat the family lunch. Sotero participated in a mini-workshop that trained men in the community of Eduardo Abaroa on how to care for nutrition and health of their children and wives.

Sotero read materials distributed before the workshop on mothers and children. Some men hesitate a little, because the subject is not familiar and many believe it is better that their wives attend, but the WFP staff insisted that the workshop is for them.

Attendees start reading graphic information distributed by the presenters before the mini-workshop, which emphasizes gender issues to help the men understand the importance of their involvement in the care, growth and feeding of their children.

Sotero, his son and other men of the community listen carefully to Enoch Soliz, United Nations Volunteer from WFP, during his presentation. This mini-workshop is supported by the Innovation Gender Fund from Australia.

General view of the mini training workshop in the community as Beatriz Herrera Eduardo Abaroa, WFP nutritionist, explains her subject. 

Maria Jesus, wife of Sotero, holds their newborn son for the mini workshop. Although the agenda was for their husbands, Maria Jesus and other women decided to join them.

Back home, Sotero put learning into practice: He cooks a hot lunch while his wife and children wait patiently.

Time to eat. Already on the table, Sotero serves food to his family. "The training I attended dropped like a glove," says Sotero. "It is good that men know about these things because sometimes, without realizing it, we leave a lot of responsibilities to the women."

"Today I learned that to make a baby if it takes a man and a woman, it also takes a man and a woman to feed," said Sotero. "And to grow strong and healthy both men and women must be involved." Here Sotero is feeding his child.