World Food Programme Fighting Hunger Worldwide

General view of the WFP evaluation to assess changes in knowledge, attitudes and practices after the training workshops on maternal and child health with emphasis on male participation. On the right, the couple Gloria and Andrés and two of their young children attend the evaluation.

"This time WFP brought knowledge ... not just food," said Andrés Rosas Vaca, who is the father of eight children (the oldest is over 21 years old and the youngest eight months old), referring to the nutrition courses taught by WFP that target more than 1,200 men in the community of Sacrifico.

Andrés, Gloria and their two youngest children return home after evaluation. Before the workshops, Andrés arrived tired and lay down on the bed to sleep. Today he comes the home and helps Gloria with childcare and housework.

The eldest daughter of Gloria and Andrés, pregnant with her first child, shows the family ducks. The breeding and care of domestic animals has traditionally been done by women while men cultivate the land and engage in hunting.

"After the workshop I have changed a lot, I have taken over the care and feeding of our young children, because I have an obligation as a parent to help my wife," says Andrés while he feeds his youngest son. "I left five children as her responsibility, but I am helping in taking care of the youngest three."

Andrés shares with Gloria the responsibilities within the household. Feeding and caring for the children in addition to working the land growing corn, rice, banana, cassava, vegetables and fruit, and hunt forest animals.

Andrés shows his papaya tree. Andres thinks that if he, a man nearly 50, has been sensitized, being able to change his attitude and adopt new practices, the younger men who participated in the workshops conducted WFP surely will show major change in the next generations.