1. Focus Group: Face-to-Face Workshop for COMM Volunteers July of 2016
Child Health and Nutrition Impact Study (CHNIS). World Vision Guatemala 1
Cast Study: Focus Group of Community Health Committee Leaders in
the Child Health and Nutrition Impact Study (CHNIS)
World Vision Guatemala (WVG)
Paola Peynetti V. (Global Health Fellow, WVG)
INTRODUCTION
Child Health and Nutrition Impact Study (CHNIS)
Since 2012, World Vision Guatemala (WVG) has been part of an initiative called the
Child Health and Nutrition Impact Study (CHNIS), a multicentric research Project conducted in
Guatemala, Kenya, Cambodia and Zambia. In Guatemlaa, this research study is being conducted
alongside Johns Hopkins University and the Institute of Nutrition and Central America and
Panama (INCAP in Spanish).
CHNIS is implemented through the Central Package of Interventions (CPI), which is
comprised of three models of development: Community Health Committees (COMM), Timed
Targeted Counseling (TTC), and Citizen Voice and Action (CVA). These models have been
implemented in two different contexts: in the Central Zone of the country, in the municipalities
of San Raymundo y San Juan Sacatepéquez, and in the Eastern Zone of the country, in the
municipalities of Comapa y Jutiapa.
This process has encompassed the contextualization and adaptation of the different
models, which has enriched the capacity building process of both the committee volunteers and
the Mother Guides (MGs) who implement the TTC methodology. The models adaptation
process, once the volunteers have been trained, highlights and conveys volunteer empowerment
on local community organizing, activism, partnerships, and representation, all of which ultimately
benefit the volunteers’ families and communities.
Community Health Committees (COMM)
The Community Health Committee (COMM), a generic title given to a Community
Committee of local partners, coordinate and manage activities aimed at improving community
health and a stronger civil society. A COMM is formed by members of different communities
who represent the different sectors of society, including community leaders, religious leaders,
MGs, educators, representatives of the health sector, and community development leaders such
as the government’s Community Development Councils (COCODES in Spanish). The COMM
also seeks to have a balance of gender and age.
These COMM are trained for one year in health and local advocacy, partnerships, and
collaborative work with local organizations. At the end of their training, they finalize an Action
Plan in which they have, first, identified the main health problems of their community, and
second, broken them down into short-term actions (1 month), and medium-term actions (3
months) to provide a solution. Each action is accompanied by a detailed partnership plan with
local partners and authorities.
With the progress of the implementation of the PCI models in the field, WVG identified
that the MGs and the members of the committees had adopted specific actions to optimize the
processes and functions of the TTC and COMM models, respectively. It was also noted that

2. Focus Group: Face-to-Face Workshop for COMM Volunteers July of 2016
Child Health and Nutrition Impact Study (CHNIS). World Vision Guatemala 2
there was a wide array of lessons learned that were very valuable to document and share with
other volunteers and the staff of WVG, as well as with members of the Confraternity, who are
also working with these models in other contexts.
Face-To-Face Workshop for COMM Leaders
Up until the summer of 2016, the volunteers’ work plans and successes had not been
shared with other COMM groups, MGs or WVG staff; therefore, in June of 2016, community
leaders and mother guides were invited to share their experiences and lessons learned in a
space where, besides getting to know each other, they would learn about how their colleagues
have overcome barriers to their work in their own communities.
The COMM members gathered to share their work plans and strategies for local
activism in a workshop that took place in the City of Antigua Guatemala the third week of June.
Throughout this process, WVG development facilitators (DFs) shared the findings from a
demographic mapping census, which was the first collaborative project between the MG and
COMM volunteers, in which they gathered demographic data from pregnant women, mothers of
children under 24 months, and children under 24 months.
Additionally, COMM groups presented their short- and medium-term work plans, or
action plans, along with the lessons they’ve learned from working in the committee, seeking local
partnerships, and implementing projects in their unique contexts. The workshop facilitated
group work, and volunteers were intentionally assigned to mixed groups with members of other
COMM in order to share their victories and weaknesses together. This exercise eased an open
yet dynamic reflection on lessons from volunteer work, and facilitated the learning process of
addressing different problems encountered in fieldwork.
Focus Group of COMM Workshop
Throughout the workshop, WVG staff identified a number of leaders who have formed
local partnerships, worked on committee sustainability, and guided the management and planning
of various projects. Workshop facilitators then decided to seize the opportunity of having these
leaders in a shared space, and they decided to organize a focus group, without the facilitators
present, to ask them questions about three main themes: sustainability, partnerships, and WVG’s
work thus far.
This report presents information collected during this focus group of Community Health
Committee leaders during the Face-to-Face Workshop for Community Health Committees that
took place in the City of Antigua Guatemala on June 23rd, 2016. It presents the discussion
points, the methodology of the exercise, and its results.

3. Focus Group: Face-to-Face Workshop for COMM Volunteers July of 2016
Child Health and Nutrition Impact Study (CHNIS). World Vision Guatemala 3
METHODOLOGY AND CONTENT
The focus group included eleven community leaders who represented all of the COMM
groups that attended the workshop, and the four ADPs of the Study (Tinamit, Nuevo Amanecer,
Comapa and APAS). The volunteers were randomly seated and seven questions were prepared
to guide the discussion—two questions on partnership building, two questions looking for
volunteer feedback on WVG’s work, two questions on sustainability, and finally, one last
question about their individual contributions to the activities of the COMM and the health of
their communities.
Committee leaders agreed to participate in this exercise voluntarily and they were
guaranteed anonymity. The following format of the questions and answers can be useful for
improving the support and overview of COMM groups (the Study coordinator has the key of
participant names and communities). Answers that highlighted information useful for evaluation
and management of the program are shown in red. Answers in green show projects that have
worked—success stories, which staff must continue to support. Points in blue are examples of
the impact these leaders have had on their communities.

4. Focus Group: Face-to-Face Workshop for COMM Volunteers July of 2016
Child Health and Nutrition Impact Study (CHNIS). World Vision Guatemala 4
01 02 03 04 05 06 07
TOPIC Feedback on WVG’s work Partnerships and COCODE Fundraising and project proposal Individual contributions to own community
Leader
Opinion on
facilitator?
How to
improve work?
How do
partnerships
work?
Does partnering with
COCODE improve
efficiency?
Do you think it’s
possible to fundraise?
What would you do to
write a project proposal?
How has your participation with COMM contributed to the
wellbeing of your community?
1
Good,
provides help
that
government
doesn’t.
Constant
trainings
They’re
important and
give WVG
credibility
Ideally, yes. But this
leader quit COCODE
due to corruption
Yes, we have to
promote our activities
Evaluate most urgent
needs, organize
community, evaluate
possible allies
Helping people with chagas disease and chronic illnesses.
2
Excellent
support.
More
accompaniment
They’re
important for
projects
Maximum local authority.
Leader is a member of
COCODE. “COCODE
must understand our
work.”
May cause trust issues. Prioritize projects with
COCODE, gather
community, signatures,
seal.
Dedication, time. They’ve knocked on many doors: now they
have electricity, water, and are working for more
improvements.
3
Excellent.
Lets them
know if can’t
make it.
More time,
more didactic
material.
Important, can
get far together
Lacking support. DF
could train them & teach
them about COMM
Alone we can’t do
much. We must be
transparent with
transactions.
Write plans, make
proposals, present them
The community has improved through trainings and projects.
Better idea of pregnant women in community.
4
Has helped
train MGs
More training,
more time.
Discussing
possible allies in
COMM groups is
important
Important. They are the
Treasurer, but the
president doesn’t
support group.
Maybe, but we’re used
to asking for donations.
Evaluate needs, prioritize,
write proposals
There has been a clear change. Women are better prepared,
people ask for help and advice.
5
Info to get
organized
Don’t leave
everything to
the last minute
They compliment
projects well
Self-elected, they only
seek personal benefits
Yes, we’d like help with
future projects
Communicate, manage,
write, and present
proposals
6
Has prepared
and organized
COMM
Better
communication,
not just over
the phone.
Create
partnerships
according to
needs. Share
knowledge.
Communication and
partnerships matter.
Mutual support matters-
let’s continue.
Yes, but transparency,
honesty, and awareness
are important.
Needs assessment,
meetings with COCODE
and partners.
Distinguished leader for fighting for the rights and community
development of her region. Shares what she learns, has the
gift of service. Women have changed against machismo and
they are aware of how to organize themselves.
7
DF has taught
COMM a lot
More trainings Partnerships
make us stronger
It’s important to have
them as allies, they’re
highest elected authority
We have to manage
funds efficiently
Identify urgent needs and
propose project
He is a leader. Many people go to him for help on proposals,
paperwork, and advice. Unfortunately, there’s also criticism of
some unsuccessful projects.
8
Unfortunately
, COMM’s
training
wasn’t
exhausting
More
coordination
and
communication
Partnerships
make our work
sustainable and
generate
confidence and
credibility
It’s important to ally with
them because they have
funds, seals, and last say
on projects.
Yes, but it’s important
to look for material
donations. Conduct
needs assessment and
socioeconomic study
to prioritize projects.
Fundraise in COMM.
Prioritize needs, inform
COCODE, participatory
assembly, write proposals.
Charlas on diseases, sexual education, nutrition, pregnancy
risks. Community mobilization to help those in need via
donations. New health center, partnerships, project proposals
to foundations. She likes to see an improvement in people’s
wellbeing, even though her family doesn’t agree with her
volunteering and dedicating so much of her time to COMM.
9
Yes, they
haven’t left us
More trainings They are
important to
Yes, but they focus on
agriculture and say
Yes, but with integrity.
Process could bring
Collaborate with
COCODE for project
She has helped their community a lot, specifically in terms of
health projects. She likes to work with children and pregnant

5. Focus Group: Face-to-Face Workshop for COMM Volunteers July of 2016
Child Health and Nutrition Impact Study (CHNIS). World Vision Guatemala 5
alone communicate
with to keep on
going with
projects
“there’s no time for
COMM”
problems. proposals. women, even though her son complains that she don’t spend
enough time at home.
10
DF has taught
us a lot
More training COCODE works
on many projects
Yes. Willingness to work
together is missing.
Get tools, ask
neighboring
communities for help.
Ask different institutions
for help.
She has helped many people, an example was when she took a
patient to the hospital. He couldn’t walk and had no
resources; she managed the finances for the trip.
11
COMM very
grateful for
DF’s work
More support Communication
is key
Yes, together we can
achieve more.
Yes, but with integrity Together with COCODE COMM has trained mothers, for example promoting raising
children with love. She enjoys seeing people feel grateful for
their work and shares knowledge whenever she cans.

6. Focus Group: Face-to-Face Workshop for COMM Volunteers July of 2016
Child Health and Nutrition Impact Study (CHNIS). World Vision Guatemala 6
CONCLUSIONS
! Evaluating WVG’s work in their communities: All of the focus group participants showed
interest in having more accompaniment from, communication with, and time alongside
their development facilitators and other WVG staff. Ideally, this communication would be
in person and not just over the phone. They also mentioned that they believe WVG’s work
could be improved by providing the DFs with more training, which in turn would provide
the volunteers with more information, didactic materials, and trainings to follow through
whichever project they set their minds to.
! On partnerships: Many COMM leaders are also part of the local Community
Development Committees (COCODE in Spanish), this being the highest authority locally,
and a group (ideally) democratically elected by the community. However, many
communities have reported problems of corruption and lack of transparency in the
projects and activities of COCODE groups, complicating the possibilities for alliances and
partnerships between the two types of committees. Similarly, COMM have frequently
reported that COCODE don’t support the health committee’s projects; however, leaders
also suggested WVG use this opportunity to present their work to COCODE groups, with
the goal of raising awareness of the work of the organization, creating common ground
with other local committee leaders, and promoting partnerships in the future.
! On sustainability: The participants of this focus group showed interest in participating in
workshops and trainings that will teach them how to plan, write, and manage a project
proposal for outside institutions—with the goal of finding alliances and financial support.
Even though most of the group seemed open to the idea of looking for economic support
or in-kind donations from other organizations, there was a clear consensus on the
importance of transparency and accountability when working on project management and
financial resources. One person also insisted on the committees’ need and advantage of
legalizing or formalizing their group with local government authorities in order to be able to
receive and manage state funds (for example, with official seals/signatures recognized by
local officials). Another participant also highlighted the importance of looking for outside
funds, since people can get used to asking for money (as a charity would) instead of
planning a project and looking for outside finances to support their own ideas. Therefore,
the goals and activities of these proposals would need to include fundraising campaigns and
strategies for self-financing. COMM groups are in charge of many projects that benefit the
public’s health and are interested in sharing their lessons learned, experiences, and
accomplishments with other organizations in the hopes of earning recognition and future
support, without depending on WVG. They want to develop their project management,
outreach, and communication skills to ensure the sustainability of their projects.