All child survival donors, private voluntary organizations, and nongovernmental organizations routinely use the counseling cards promoted through the GAIN network on the topics of optimal breastfeeding and complementary feeding practices. In 1999, more than 140 new family planning sites were opened, with LAM offered as one of four contraceptive methods. One hundred additional sites are scheduled to provide LAM services this year. By building on previous projects and teaming up with JSI, both projects have been able to rapidly expand program activities. Eleven dioceses, reaching 500,000 people in 400 communities, participate in the program.
Community organizations promote health through village theater, songs, and festivals.
Trained volunteers from women s support groups employ techniques such as negotiation for behavior change in home visits. These various BCC tools and techniques go beyond knowledge transfer, leading to the adoption of new behaviors. Training of Project Staff. To promote exclusive breastfeeding and to offer LAM, health promoters must understand and believe in the messages and be able to communicate them effectively. They learned how to engage the target audience through trials of improved practices, negotiation of the new practices with the mother, and storytelling.