In teh rural province of Thanh Hóa, Việt Nam, a quiet revolution in childcare is taking place. Once a month, around 20 parents gather in their commune’s cultural center to participate in nutrition clubs, where they learn how to improve the health and well-being of their children.

These clubs, a part of a development program by World Vision International in Việt Nam since 2007, offer a space for primary caregivers to engage in group discussions, play educational games, and acquire knowledge about nutrition, reproductive health, and effective childcare strategies.

Vinh, a 43-year-old mother of a three-year-old and a regular attendee, credits the club with substantially improving her parenting skills. “When I was pregnant, I knew what I needed to eat so that my child would develop well,” she said. “After I gave birth, they helped me know when I should start introducing her to solid foods.”

In Thanh Hóa, where many residents rely on farming and cattle raising for their livelihoods, these clubs provide crucial support.

Tốt, a 63-year-old grandfather who, along with his wife, is raising two granddaughters while their parents work away from home, shares a similar sentiment. He admitted struggling with his first grandchild but gained confidence with his second after joining the club.

“Through the meetings, we learned to feed the children foods from the main nutrient groups such as protein, fats, vitamins and minerals,” he explained.

“As I joined the club, attended the meetings and learned about nutrients, I feel like my second grandchild has been growing faster and getting smarter than how her sister used to be,” Tốt added.

Community-Led Change

Across Thanh Hóa Province, 84 nutrition clubs operate, each guided by a leader trained by World vision experts. These leaders then disseminate their knowledge to club members, creating a ripple effect of positive change.

“Caregivers can learn from each other, and feel encouraged and know that they are not alone,”

L.T. Hải, a board member of a nutrition club in Thanh Hóa Province, emphasizes the importance of scheduling meetings around the parents’ work schedules to maximize attendance.

“Most of our members have smartphones, so we often communicate via the Zalo messaging submission,” L.T. Hải said. “Previously, we often met on Sundays because they work during the week. But now some of them also work on Sunday,so we have to change our schedule and meet on Sunday evenings.”

L.T. Hải (left), board member of a nutrition club in Thanh Hóa province, talks with club members during a meeting.

Tangible Results

The dedication of these communities is yielding notable results. World Vision data shows that between 2018 and 2022, the prevalence of underweight children under five in Hải’s commune decreased from 18.8 per cent to 13.2 per cent.

Furthermore, access to safe drinking water increased from 54.9 per cent to 80.9 per cent, and the use of improved sanitation facilities rose from 38.8 per cent to 46.8 per cent during the same period.

Dosaba Sinay, national director of World Vision International in Việt Nam, highlights the power of the nutrition club model to foster behavioral change within communities. “Caregivers can learn from each other, and feel encouraged and know that they are not alone,” Dosaba Sinay said. “These clubs are more than just a classroom. They have a safe space for love and support.”

Club members work on a group task about childcare practices.

The insights gained from World Vision’s initiatives are also informing national nutrition programs. Dr. Huỳnh Nam Phương, head of scientific research management at the National Institute of Nutrition, notes, “Nutrition projects by World Vision have been implemented for several years now and proven to be effective, including the nutrition club and home visit models.”

“We have used data from these projects for training materials, and also incorporated them into national target programmes,” Dr. Huỳnh Nam Phương added.

As the initiative continues until 2027, World Vision aims to enhance the quality of life for nearly 11,000 children and 26,700 adults in Thường Xuân commune, focusing on health, nutrition, child protection, lasting livelihoods, and community building.