Staff Review Meeting of SBC Project – 10th Tranche Held in Bhola

The bi-monthly staff review meeting of the Social and Behavior Change (SBC) project – 10th Tranche was successfully held on 27 May 2025 at the Civil Surgeon Office conference room in Bhola. The event brought together 50 participants, including field staff, project officials from seven upazilas, and representatives from UNICEF and Shushilan. The meeting was inaugurated by Ms. Sherina Akther, Deputy Director and Project Focal of Shushilan, and was graced by distinguished guests including Mr. Anwar Hossain, Chief Field Officer (CFO) of UNICEF Barishal Field Office, Ms. Rama Saha, Nutrition Officer, and Mr. Saidur Rahman, MICIN Officer. The objectives of the meeting were to enhance mutual understanding among staff, review implementation progress and challenges of the 10th tranche, and build team capacity in nutrition, facilitation, and financial management. Key Highlights: • Opening Session: Participants engaged in a creative introduction and shared personal reflections on project achievements such as improved menstrual hygiene awareness, increased use of health services, and adoption of Kangaroo Mother Care (KMC). • Progress Review: Project Officers presented multimedia reports highlighting achievements and challenges. Notably, the CFO pledged to personally award two top-performing field workers in the next meeting and approved the provision of educational materials for dropout children. • Technical Sessions: o Nutrition: Led by Ms. Rama Saha, this session covered malnutrition, the 1000 days nutrition window, GMP, maternal nutrition, and upcoming interventions by UNICEF. o Facilitation Techniques: Mr. Anwar Hossain shared field strategies for effective community engagement. o Financial Management: Mr. Moslehuddin Ahmed reviewed fund utilization (92.3% burn rate) and emphasized policy compliance and timely documentation. Voices from the Field: Participants expressed appreciation for the interactive nature of the meeting. "It felt like Eid!" said Khaleda Begum Pinku from Monpura, highlighting the emotional value of these gatherings. Others emphasized the motivational impact of recognition and learning from senior officials. Closing and Commitments: Mr. Anwar Hossain called the meeting a “successful and emotional day,” commending Shushilan for its dedication and promising that staff expectations would be addressed in future tranches. Ms. Sherina Akther concluded the event by urging the team to sustain their efforts and thanking all attendees for their contributions.