ASATTAHIR International Foundation (AIF) participated in a four-day Training of Trainers (ToT) organized by Catholic Relief Services Nigeria from 7th to 10th April 2026 on the Management of Small and Nutritionally At-Risk Infants under 6 Months and their Mothers (MAMI). AIF was represented at the training by its Head of Protection Unit, Sa’adatu Musa Gotomo.
The training brought together stakeholders including government health workers, Development Partners, and community nutrition mobilizers to strengthen capacity for delivering effective community-based nutrition interventions.
The training sessions covered a wide range of practical and theoretical components of the MAMI approach. Participants engaged in case-based learning using structured cards addressing real-life scenarios such as mothers with multiple births, adolescent mothers, and mothers expressing concerns about their diet. Additional sessions focused on managing infants in special situations, including cases where a mother tested positive for HIV, as well as techniques for breast milk expression and safe storage.
Further practical modules addressed infant feeding techniques such as cup feeding, re-lactation, and supplementary suckling to support breastfeeding. The training also explored situations where mothers are absent, including the safe use and preparation of infant formula, as well as the importance of family and community support systems in ensuring optimal infant care. Sessions on infant behavior, including crying, sleeping, and caregiver relaxation techniques, were also discussed, alongside guidance on initiating complementary feeding at six months of age.
The training also emphasized nurturing care for early childhood development, including recommendations, counselling approaches, and the use of structured checklists to guide caregivers. Participants were taken through counselling skills and step-by-step approaches to effectively support mothers and caregivers.
Furthermore, the Training of Trainers focused on cross-cutting themes such as protection, safeguarding, and Prevention of Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (PSEA), as well as accountability and feedback mechanisms. Participants were also trained on nutrition tools for identification, screening, and MAMI data recording and reporting.
Additional sessions covered theory of change, project mapping, and the use of digital tools for data collection and best practices. Throughout the sessions, it was highlighted that early detection and timely intervention are critical in preventing malnutrition among infants under six months.
The training also underscored the importance of community structures in identifying and supporting vulnerable mother–infant pairs, as well as the role of effective counselling in improving maternal and infant health outcomes.
