Tag: 3BL

Originally published on Aflac Newsroom

What are your top wellness priorities? Perhaps they include exercise, eating a balanced diet or mindfulness practices. What about doctor appointments — are your routine screenings on the list as well?

Wellness checkups are excellent tools for staying on top of your health — especially routine screenings that can help detect certain diseases, like cancer, early and before they’ve had a chance to spread. However, many Americans admit to putting off and/or avoiding important recommended health checkups and screening tests, according to the 2025 Aflac Wellness Matters Survey.¹

Aflac commissioned its third annual Aflac Wellness Matters Survey to gain key insights from everyday Americans about important health care issues. It explores topics such as routine health appointments and recommended health screenings, how health care is prioritized compared to other factors, and who are the biggest influences on individuals’ decisions to seek routine care. 

Key findings show:¹

• The overwhelming majority of Americans (more than 90%) have put off getting a checkup or recommended health screening on time.
• Nearly all Americans (94%) face barriers to getting checkups and recommended screenings on time.
• Half of younger Americans are using urgent care or the ER for their health care needs.
• Women are most likely to admit skipping common recommended screenings and are also less likely than men to have a feeling of control over many aspects of their health.
• Sixty-eight percent of Americans are interested in using AI for health concerns. 

In hopes of inspiring a healthier population for today and in the future, the Aflac flock is sharing their wellness stories. Click here to watch their videos and know we are cheering you on to advocate for your health, because your wellness matters.

Click here to watch: Buffy’s Story, Darcy’s Story, Mayauna’s Story, Olivia’s Story and Rusty’s Story.

For more tips about taking the first steps, view the Wellness Matters tip sheet. 

1. Aflac (2025). The Aflac Wellness Matters Survey. Accessed on Sept. 26, 2025 from www.aflac.com/wellnessmatters.

Aflac | WWHQ | 1932 Wynnton Road | Columbus, GA 31999

Z2500987

EXP 10/26

Originally published on Tork Newsroom

Tork, an Essity brand and the leading global professional hygiene brand, announced its entrance into the restroom air care category in North America, with the introduction of the Tork Constant Air Freshener to the U.S. and Canada. Bringing innovation to the traditional air freshener category, Tork Constant Air Fresheners continuously deliver freshness in restrooms, eliminating odors with a system that is easy to maintain and refill.

Poor restroom experiences can negatively impact business reputation, causing visitors to leave early or avoid a location altogether; a bad restroom odor is a top reason (#2) people avoid public restrooms. Additionally, 63% of restroom users say a fresh scent helps determine if a public restroom is clean; a “fresh scent” is also the top solution consumers recommend for ideal public restroom design.²

Tork Constant Air Freshener neutralizes odors with evenly and continuously distributed fragrance that eliminates, rather than masks, bad odors. This unique design eliminates the “spray and fade” effect from traditional systems, creating a fresh restroom experience that lasts up to 90 days between refills. The propellant-free system features three scents with adjustable intensity levels to suit any restroom size or preference.

“The scent of a restroom – good or bad – is often the first impression of its condition, and people view a restroom’s condition as a direct reflection on that business,” says Brian Kincaid, Product Management Director, Skincare & Aircare, Essity. “After launching Tork Constant Air Fresheners in Europe, we received an overwhelmingly positive response from customers who quickly discovered this product delivers on a real need and is highly effective at neutralizing odors and maintaining a steady fragrance, which results in a consistently welcoming restroom environment. Add in the easy maintenance and sustainability benefits, and it checks the boxes for businesses looking to create a restroom experience that is memorable in all the right ways.”

Tork Constant Air Freshener is “easy to use”  for speedy refilling by cleaning staff. Where traditional air fresheners need to be placed high on walls for whole-restroom fragrance distribution, Tork Constant Air Fresheners allow flexible placement at reachable heights for easy refilling during the normal cleaning routine. It is also compatible with Tork Vision Cleaning, the world’s leading data-driven cleaning solution, which allows cleaning staff to know exactly when and where to refill all Tork dispensers in the restroom. 71% of cleaning staff agree that if restroom dispensers were quicker and easier to refill, they’d have more time for other cleaning tasks.⁴

Tork Constant Air Fresheners support sustainable hygiene management best practices, helping the planet by avoiding harmful propellants and enabling more efficient product usage, and helping people by delivering inclusive hygiene in the restroom. This includes accessible product design for greater ease of use with cleaning staff, to creating spaces that are approachable and free of odors that might otherwise lead to restroom avoidance.

Learn more about how Tork Constant Air Fresheners can help deliver a great restroom experience through smart, sustainable hygiene management here: www.torkglobal.com/us/en/airfreshener

About Tork

The Tork brand offers professional hygiene products and services to customers worldwide ranging from restaurants and healthcare facilities to offices, schools and industries. Our products include dispensers, paper towels, toilet tissues, soap, napkins and wipers, but also software solutions for data-driven cleaning. Through expertise in hygiene, functional design and sustainability, Tork has become a market leader that supports customers to think ahead so they’re always ready for business. Tork is a global brand of Essity and a committed partner to customers in more than 110 countries. To keep up with the latest Tork news and innovations, please visit www.torkglobal.com/us/en/.

About Essity

Essity is a global, leading hygiene and health company. Every day, our products, solutions and services are used by a billion people around the world. Our purpose is to break barriers to well-being for the benefit of consumers, patients, caregivers, customers and society. Sales are conducted in approximately 150 countries under the leading global brands TENA and Tork, and other strong brands such as Actimove, Cutimed, JOBST, Knix, Leukoplast, Libero, Libresse, Lotus, Modibodi, Nosotras, Saba, Tempo, TOM Organic and Zewa. In 2024, Essity had net sales of approximately SEK 146bn (EUR 13bn) and employed 36,000 people. The company’s headquarters is located in Stockholm, Sweden and Essity is listed on Nasdaq Stockholm. More information at essity.com.

Taco Bell

One of the coolest things about working at Yum! Brands is the ability to complete an STA. An STA, also known as Short Term Assignment, is the ability to work across corporate, brand and business affiliate offices. This allows employees to grow their skills, learn more about the different functions and gain further insight into business operations without the permanent commitment of a role switch. In this story series, we’ll spotlight those who have completed STA’s and how it’s grown their career.

McKenzie H., Training Coordinator on the learning and development team, came to Taco Bell about five years ago. Before this, McKenzie grew up in the “middle of nowhere” as she proclaimed, in Minnesota. She wanted to be a vet when she was younger but didn’t enjoy dissecting animals in biology class, so she set out on a different path.

McKenzie originally went to college for elementary/special education before switching careers and getting a degree in graphic design. After college, she was looking for jobs and decided to follow her brother to California. He worked for a company that managed the Service Desk for Taco Bell, so McKenzie joined the team, too!

“A little after I started on the Service Desk, my role changed… I started working with the training team to help create materials for the field teams, such as knowledge-based articles teaching folks about standard operations procedures and how to troubleshoot.”

McKenzie realized that her graphic design skills layered perfectly with crafting learning and development modules, so she put herself out there and asked someone on the current learning and development team to be her mentor. At the same time, she did a lot of LinkedIn Learning courses, making her well-prepared for a STA that she eventually got the opportunity to do!

“Working with cross-functional teams, managing multiple deadlines, critical thinking and having the patience to translate content were all skills I had learned on the Service Desk. At the same time, LinkedIn Learning, mentorship and practicing role-specific tasks was how I built my foundation. So, when the opportunity came to apply for the team, I was ready.”

While McKenzie applied all her Service Desk skills to her STAs, she also had immense passion and perseverance that helped her land her dream role. She found something she loved and stuck with it, built relationships with people in that field, and learned new techniques along the way.

“After a few months of the STA, I went back to being a full-time Service Desk member. But I continued to express interest, so I started working a couple hours a week with the learning and development team. Not long after that, I was offered another STA with the team… and this year, I ended up getting hired on full-time!”

We’re excited to see what McKenzie continues to do with her career at The Bell! Stay tuned for more stories about our exceptional talent.

Three Things to Remember

1. Leidos has opened a new office in Richmond, Virginia to better serve the growing energy demands across the Southeast.
2. The location enhances the company’s ability to deliver advanced engineering and grid modernization solutions while facilitating closer alignment with customers.
3. The expansion will support regional talent development and community partnerships in sustainability and STEM.

Strengthening energy resilience across the southeast

Leidos has expanded its footprint in Virginia with the opening of a new office in Richmond — strengthening its ability to deliver advanced engineering solutions for the growing electric utility market across the Southeast.

As utilities work to deliver safe, reliable and cost-effective power, they face mounting challenges from rising load demands and infrastructure strain. Across the Southeast, including Georgia, Virginia and the Carolinas, load growth is projected to increase 25% by 2035, driven primarily by new data centers and manufacturing facilities. In Richmond alone, load growth driven by data center expansion in the state is projected to rise rapidly by 5% annually, more than doubling by 2040.

The new Richmond office positions Leidos to meet these challenges head-on. By deepening local engagement and improving accessibility, the company can better support utility customers through faster response times, enhanced collaboration, and greater agility. The new location also reinforces Leidos’ continued focus on service delivery and program execution while advancing efforts in grid modernization and AI-enabled solutions for energy infrastructure. 

From Richmond, Leidos will aim to deliver a full suite of capabilities, including transmission and distribution line design, substation and system engineering, system planning, civil and structural engineering, and project management. Together, these capabilities will help utilities strengthen grid resilience and prepare for future energy demands.

“Our Richmond office will facilitate closer alignment with our customers,” said Bill Johnson, senior vice president, Energy, Infrastructure and Automation at Leidos. “This proximity allows us to be more agile and responsive, scaling our workforce quickly to meet the growing demand for innovative engineering solutions.”

Building local partnerships, powering future growth

As operations expand, Leidos plans to invest further in local talent, creating opportunities for engineers and energy professionals throughout the region. The company is focused on building a strong, sustainable workforce that supports both its customers and the surrounding community. 

Beyond business growth, Leidos is committed to making a lasting impact in the Richmond area through partnerships with local organizations that foster healthier lives, advance environmental sustainability and support STEM education initiatives that inspire the next generation of innovators.

SEE HOW LEIDOS MODERNIZES THE NATION’S ENERGY INFRASTRUCTURE

EMERYVILLE, Calif., October 27, 2025 /3BL/ – SCS Standards and Assurance Systems is pleased to announce that its Sustainably Grown® certification standard has been officially benchmarked as equivalent to the Silver Level of the SAI Platform’s Farm Sustainability Assessment (FSA) 3.0, a globally recognized framework for sustainable agricultural production.

This benchmarking confirms that Sustainably Grown meets the rigorous environmental, social, and economic requirements of the FSA framework and aligns with global best practices for responsible farming and continuous improvement. The standard, developed and maintained by SCS Standards and certified by SCS Global Services, supports producers and brands seeking to credibly demonstrate sustainability performance across the agricultural supply chain.

“This recognition affirms the integrity and rigor of the Sustainably Grown standard and its contribution to driving measurable improvement in agricultural sustainability,” said Victoria Norman, Executive Director of SCS Standards and Assurance Systems. “By achieving Silver Level benchmarking, Sustainably Grown enables producers and supply chain partners to access FSA-aligned sourcing programs while demonstrating conformance to global supply chain requirements with confidence.”

The benchmarking was independently reviewed and validated by SAI Platform’s FSA team, confirming that the Sustainably Grown certification meets the criteria and governance requirements of FSA 3.0. With this recognition, farms certified under Sustainably Grown are now able to demonstrate equivalence to the FSA Silver Level without additional audits or duplicative assessments, reducing reporting burden and streamlining market access.

“Achieving FSA Silver benchmarking demonstrates the strength and credibility of the Sustainably Grown program as a trusted assurance framework for sustainable agriculture,” said Kevin Warner, Director of ESG Certifications and Strategy at SCS Global Services. “For growers and buyers, this means greater efficiency, reduced audit duplication, and the ability to meet FSA-aligned sourcing goals through a single, comprehensive certification. We’re proud to deliver certification services that empower farms and brands to achieve meaningful sustainability impact.”

“The benchmarking of SCS Sustainably Grown standard against the Farm Sustainability Assessment (FSA) 3.0 is a strong testament to SCS’ commitment to fostering industry-level harmonization and standardization,” says Joe Iverson, FSA Manager with SAI. “The benchmark benefits users of the Sustainably Grown standard who can now claim equivalence to the FSA as a global standard for sustainability, further validating their work and providing enhanced market access”.

The Sustainably Grown standard applies globally across all crops, providing a comprehensive and flexible framework for agricultural sustainability that supports continuous improvement and meaningful environmental and social outcomes.

For more information about the Sustainably Grown Certification Standard and its FSA benchmarking, please visit www.SCSstandards.org.

For more information about getting certified to Sustainably Grown, please visit https://www.scsglobalservices.com/services/sustainably-grown-certification.

Read More

About SCS Standards

SCS Standards and Assurance Systems is an organization committed to the development of standards that advance the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. Standards are developed in alignment with best practices and guidelines provided by internationally recognized bodies to ensure a robust, transparent, and collaborative approach. SCS Standards and Assurance Systems is the official standards development body for Scientific Certification Systems, Inc. For more information, visit www.SCSstandards.org.

About SCS Global Services

SCS Global Services is a global leader in third-party environmental and sustainability verification, certification, auditing, testing, and standards development. Its programs span a cross-section of industries, recognizing achievements in climate mitigation, green building, product manufacturing, food and agriculture, forestry, consumer products, and more. Headquartered in Emeryville, California and celebrating 40 years in business, SCS has representatives and affiliate offices throughout the Americas, Asia/Pacific, Europe, and Africa. Its broad network of auditors are experts in their fields, and the company is a trusted partner to companies, agencies, and advocacy organizations due to its dedication to quality and professionalism. SCS is a chartered Benefit Corporation, reflecting its commitment to socially and environmentally responsible business practices. SCS is also a Participant of the United Nations Global Compact and adheres to its principles-based approach to responsible business.

About SAI FSA

The Sustainable Agriculture Initiative Platform (SAI Platform) is a global, non-profit organization leading the food and drink industry’s transition to sustainable and regenerative agriculture. With 190 members spanning the value chain, from farmers to retailers, and strategic partners, from academia to NGOs, SAI Platform plays a vital role in convening stakeholders and facilitating the meaningful dialogue required to transform the global food and drink industry to source and produce more sustainably. By fostering industry alignment and encouraging collaborative action, SAI Platform offers members a safe space to share expertise, pioneer practical solutions to address the pressing challenges facing agriculture and accelerate progress towards a more resilient food system.

Media Contact:
Shyama Devarajan
Senior Marketing Analyst, SCS Global Services
sdevarajan@scsglobalservices.com

In response to the “No Coffee Tax Act,” legislation introduced September 19, 2025, by Reps. Don Bacon (R-Nebraska) and Ro Khanna (D-California) to repeal the Trump Administration’s tariffs on coffee, Fairtrade America issued the following statements:

“Passing this bipartisan bill into law would be a huge relief for coffee farmers, small businesses across the U.S. that roast and sell coffee, and the 150 million Americans who drink coffee every day.

“Prior to the Trump Administration’s tariffs, the coffee industry was already in a tough spot. Droughts and extreme rainstorms caused a global supply shortage. The cost of coffee climbed to staggering highs which has left small roasters in the U.S. struggling to maintain their businesses. And moreover, coffee farmers often couldn’t realize the benefit of these higher prices due to increased costs and production challenges. Coffee has become more expensive, hurting consumers’ wallets for a product they love.

“The U.S. will never be able to grow enough coffee domestically to satisfy demand so charging an additional tax on top of the existing challenges is simply an unnecessary punishment for everyone who touches the global coffee supply chain. Repealing these tariffs, as well as those on other commodities that cannot be grown in the U.S., like cocoa and bananas, will help these already overstressed supply chains stabilize and help Americans save money on their grocery bills.”

–Amanda Archila, Executive Director, Fairtrade America

 

“Tariffs can disrupt access to what have been dependable markets for the small-scale farmers who grow most of Americans’ coffee and cocoa. These widely consumed commodities cannot be grown in the U.S. at scale, so it is possible that importers will push the import duties to be absorbed upstream by the farmers themselves. For small-scale farmers throughout Africa, many of whom already live in poverty, this means a devastating loss of income due to lower prices and reduced sales volumes.

“Rescinding the tariffs on commodities that are important exports for African economies and cannot be grown in the U.S. would remove a layer of uncertainty from what is already a high-risk business sector. Africa’s cocoa and coffee farmers, in particular, have been struggling for months with compounding crises. Climate change, rising production costs, and decades of underpayment from more powerful actors along their supply chains have made it nearly impossible for them to earn a decent living. Continuing the 10-30% tariff rates imposed across various countries will be a significant blow to Africa’s farmers and their communities.

“Young Africans have already turned away from farming as a career because it is seen as a dead end. Who will grow Americans’ beloved coffee and cocoa when the challenges become so extreme that no one is willing to farm these commodities?”

–Paul Colditz, Commercial Manager, Fairtrade Africa

MetLife offers extensive benefits and resources to help colleagues prioritize their well-being, which in turn allows them to contribute to our purpose to the best of their ability. 

EMBEDDING WELL-BEING EVERY DAY

We strive to make well-being an everyday consideration for colleagues. Our global BeWell initiative demonstrates our commitment to holistic well-being by connecting employees to health and wellness resources, individual support and leader tools. In addition, we raise awareness of our benefits through storytelling, leader messages and awareness campaigns. 

We provide access to mental health care by offering virtual mental health care options and providing employee assistance programs in 21 markets. These include mindfulness programs for U.S. colleagues through the platform eMindful and free access for colleagues in 16 markets to a mental health app that offers tools to help with sleep, meditation and relaxation. In addition, we enhanced access to Employee Assistance Program counseling in the U.S. through Emotional Well-Being Solutions. Colleagues and their families can now schedule no-cost appointments online and, through our care provider, we guarantee access to a counselor for no cost within five days. Empathy continues to provide practical and emotional support for U.S. employees and employees of U.S. Group customers following the loss of a loved one.

Find out more about MetLife’s benefits program and view our U.S. Employee Policies & Benefits.

TALENT AND SKILLS DEVELOPMENT

MetLife’s strong foundation of learning and professional development supports our workforce’s ability to deliver results in a fast-changing world. Our approach emphasizes building business-critical skills and encourages colleagues to pursue development opportunities in line with their aspirations. We create impactful learning experiences through a combination of virtual, hybrid and in-person opportunities where colleagues can network and learn from one another. 

Investing in Learning and Development

Now in its third year, Growing@MetLife showcases the many learning and development resources available to our colleagues. Through career and development conversations with their managers, employees receive feedback on their strengths, as well as how they can grow their skills to reach their potential. Following these conversations, employees use MetLife’s online platform to create individual development plans and access a variety of personalized learning options.

MyLearning provides access to digital learning resources such as articles, books, videos, webinars and courses. By adding “focus skills” to their MyLearning profiles, colleagues receive AI-based recommendations to learning resources aligned to their development needs. The number of employees with “focus skills” increased 53% from 12,228 employees in 2023 to 18,657 employees in 2024. 

Additionally, we’ve introduced deep-skilling programs to give colleagues training in areas that can help them become future-ready. The programs use top-tier, industry-related educational content offered in local languages. For U.S.-based Assistant Vice Presidents across lines of business, we began offering a two-day boot camp focused on financial and business acumen to underscore the drivers of financial growth for MetLife, including specifics about our primary products and services. 

A key addition to our learning and development campaign is the Coaching@MetLife initiative. Following a successful pilot in 2023, MetLife expanded the program and now offers on-demand coaching to all interested employees. Feedback to date indicates that coaching is perceived as highly valuable, with nearly 100% of participants saying they would recommend it to others. Through our MyVoice survey comments, we believe Coaching@MetLife has contributed to strong career-related scores against benchmark.

Our global internal talent marketplace, MyPath, allows employees to manage their own professional development by providing opportunities for experiential learning and skill-building while also addressing business priorities. The platform uses AI-based recommendations to match employees to opportunities based on their skills, experiences and ambitions. MyPath is available globally and in seven languages. 

Mandatory training also helps colleagues stay up to date with the latest on our regulatory requirements; learn how to protect each other, the Company and our customers; and drive key MetLife priorities. 

Read more about how MetLife is supporting the well-being of its colleagues in our 2024 Sustainability Report.

LITTLE ROCK, Ark., October 27, 2025 /3BL/ – Employees, community partners and vendors teed off for a cause at the annual Entergy Arkansas The Power to Care Charity Golf Classic earlier this month, raising a record-breaking $189,000 to help elderly and disabled customers keep their power on during times of financial hardship. With dollar-for-dollar matching contributions from corporate shareholders, the total impact will reach $378,000, the largest amount ever raised in the tournament’s 21-year history.

“The Power to Care is one of the most meaningful ways we live out our mission to serve our customers,” said Laura Landreaux, president and CEO of Entergy Arkansas. “It provides relief to those on fixed incomes who are often the most affected by extreme temperatures and increased energy usage. This record-setting achievement reflects the generosity and commitment of our employees, partners, and volunteers who continue to make a difference in our communities.”

The Power to Care fund provides emergency assistance to elderly and disabled customers who are struggling to pay their electric bills. The program is supported year-round through employee contributions, vendor sponsorships, and individual donations from customers and community members. Funds are distributed through local nonprofit agencies to help qualified customers in need across the state.

This year’s event, held at the Country Club of Arkansas in Maumelle, drew more than 50 teams of employees, vendors and supporters. Longtime partners, including Sargent & Lundy, joined the effort to raise funds and awareness for the program. Senior Vice President Sean McHone called it “an honor to give back to the people and communities that make our partnership possible.”

Other key sponsors included Central Maloney, Kiewit, Airways Freight, A-Line TDS, Doggett Freightliner and Mitsubishi Power.

“So far this year, Power to Care has already helped more than 1,200 Arkansas families,” said Jason Rees, commercial operations director and tournament chairperson. “It’s inspiring to see our partners and employees come together to make sure that support continues for our most vulnerable customers.” The average assistance per customer is about $327 he said.

Anyone can make a difference by donating online to the Power to Care program at entergy.com/care. Every dollar contributed in Arkansas is matched by Entergy, doubling the support for neighbors in need.

About Entergy Arkansas

Entergy Arkansas provides electricity to approximately 735,000 customers in 63 counties. Entergy Arkansas is a subsidiary of Entergy Corporation. Entergy produces, transmits and distributes electricity to power life for 3 million customers through our operating companies in Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas. We’re investing for growth and improved reliability and resilience of our energy system while working to keep energy rates affordable for our customers. We’re also investing in cleaner energy generation like modern natural gas, nuclear and renewable energy. A nationally recognized leader in sustainability and corporate citizenship, we deliver more than $100 million in economic benefits each year to the communities we serve through philanthropy, volunteerism and advocacy. Entergy is a Fortune 500 company headquartered in New Orleans, Louisiana, and has approximately 12,000 employees. Learn more at EntergyArkansas.com and connect with @EntergyARK on social media.

Media inquiries:
Lamor Williams
Lwill51@entergy.com
504-377-3525

With an investment of USD 1,000,000, Folmer, an official CNH brand Case IH dealer with more than six decades of experience in the agro-industrial sector, has inaugurated its new headquarters in the city of Crespo, Entre Rios, Argentina.

The brand-new facility was built on a 20,000 m² site, designed to offer comprehensive, modern, and sustainable service to producers in Entre Ríos.

The building also incorporates sustainable practices. It was constructed using self-supporting panels, a full-core steel structure, and the innovative Steel Deck system. Additionally, it features solar panels that supply 100% of its energy needs, permeable cobblestones for rainwater filtration, and a spare parts locker available for withdrawals 24 hours a day, 7 days a week—designed to provide convenience and speed for customers.

The Central House includes workshop areas, service bays, a spare parts warehouse, and a large exhibition yard. It also features a Connect Room, which allows real-time monitoring of machines to optimize their performance in the field. This space complements the existing Connect Room at the Villaguay branch, strengthening the brand’s service and connectivity offering.

With locations in Crespo and Villaguay, Folmer covers the north-central region of Entre Ríos, offering the full portfolio of Case IH machines, along with excellent technical service and genuine spare parts.

Read the full story here.

By Diana Sharone Tumuhairwe.

Published by Action Against Hunger.

Contact media@actionagainsthunger.org for inquiries.

A Community Volunteer’s Journey to Bring Help and Hope 

Since May 2024, the Kasese District in Uganda has been recovering from devastating floods and landslides. Thousands of people have been displaced, cropland has been destroyed, and food security has been compromised. Morious provides critical support to people who have been affected – but it is difficult work. The sheer number of households in need is immense, and she must walk long distances on foot to reach them. Most homes are on top of a mountain range and require a steep 40-minute-long ascent.

Morious is not a nurse, doctor, or government official; she is a Community Health Worker (CHW) — a volunteer trained to provide healthcare services and education to her community. She is filled with resilience, compassion, and determination to rebuild her community. “Seeing the suffering after the floods,” Morious explains, “I knew I had to do something. I wanted to give people hope, especially the mothers and children staying in the internally displaced persons camps.”

Her passion has made her a driving force behind recovery in the district. She was there the day after the disasters hit, providing food, water, and a shoulder to lean on to affected families. Community volunteers have an essential role to play in emergency situations; they can respond immediately and provide local insights to organizations like Action Against Hunger, who coordinate a larger scale response with a variety of actors, mobilize emergency response teams, and manage logistics. Now, Morious is continuing the longer-term work of helping her community rebuild, scaling steep mountain paths each day to bring relief and hope to her neighbors.

A Day in Morious’ Life 

6:30am: The sun is barely peeking over the Rwenzori Mountains and illuminating the hills of Kyanzabiri Village in Uganda when Morious Walhubere begins her day. She says a prayer, asking God to guide her day and life. Then, she prepares her two sons and daughter for school.

7:30am: Morious is at Kyondo Health Centre III, a facility supported by Action Against Hunger. She works with the Integrated Response to Floods and Landslides in Kasese District project (IReF), which is implemented by Action Against Hunger and a local organization called the Foundation for Urban and Rural Advancement (FURA). The day’s tasks begin.

A key part of Morious’ role is coordinating the “boda boda talk talk” – a motorcycle equipped with a loudspeaker that rides through the bustling trading centers and villages, broadcasting vital messages on nutrition and water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) practices. For five hours, the message echoes through the sub-county, a constant reminder of health and safety. “I keep monitoring its movement,” Morious explains. Her role ensures that the vital messages reach as many people as possible.

9:30am: Morious and a team of health facility staff begin climbing the mountain to reach the community. Sometimes, it rains for hours in Kasese and traversing a mountain that is wet and slippery is especially difficult. Yet, Morious perseveres, equipping herself with the necessary tools: passion to serve and a resilient spirit. “I prepare for my visits by leaving early enough to cover long distances and climb the mountain before the sunshine becomes hot,” Morious explains, “I equip myself with an umbrella, bag, heavy jackets, and gumboots. These enable me to move even when it was raining.”

10:30am: By this time, Morious and the health facility staff have completed the steep ascent. Armed with mid-upper arm circumference (MUAC) bands, height boards, and measuring scales, Morious and her team members assess the nutritional status of children under five as well as pregnant and lactating women (PLWs). Those identified as malnourished are referred to the health center for further management. “We want to ensure every child has the chance to grow healthy,” Morious says, her voice filled with determination.

3:00pm: The nutrition assessments continue until 3:00 p.m., at which point Morious embarks on home visits, another crucial part of her work. She educates families on essential hygiene to practice handwashing, toilet use, safe water management, and kitchen gardening. She also helps families build and use WASH facilities like drying racks, kitchens, separate animal houses, and hanging lines. “Simple changes can make a huge difference. I was moved by the community’s need for proper hygiene and good nutrition, and the missions of FURA and Action Against Hunger resonated with me,” she says.

4:00pm: Morious’ schedule from Monday to Friday is carefully planned. She wraps up each week with a report, which helps her team keep track of which families have been reached and when. “This activity takes me up to 5 pm when I start my journey back home to receive my children from school and prepare dinner for them,” she says.

5:00pm: Morious’ impact on the community is evident by the smiles and waves she receives from mothers and children as she passes them.

A Champion of Change

Beyond home visits and nutrition assessments, Morious’ role as Community Health Worker includes responsibilities like following up on referred cases and monitoring vital infrastructure like the Kamustope water spring, which serves over 450 people. And she strives to keep improving her ability to help her community.

Through Action Against Hunger’s training sessions and practice, Morious has developed skills in community mobilization, nutrition assessment, and WASH interventions. She is pleased with her improvement in report writing, communication, and negotiation skills. “I’ve learned so much,” she reflects. “It’s boosted my confidence and instilled a strong sense of social responsibility. I even plan to enroll in a community development course next year.”

Morious’ dedication to her role as a volunteer stems from a deep desire to serve. “It’s about empowering people to take control of their health,” she enthuses. She feels especially rewarded when she witnesses the joy of families receiving essential non-food items. “Seeing their smiles, knowing we are making a difference, it is incredibly fulfilling,” she says.

Her impact on the community shows that one passionate person can make a profound difference to the lives of many. Morious is more than a volunteer; she is a builder of resilience, and a true hero in the heart of Kyondo.

***

Action Against Hunger leads the global movement to end hunger. We innovate solutions, advocate for change, and reach 26.5 million people every year with proven hunger prevention and treatment programs. As a nonprofit that works across over 55 countries, our 8,500+ dedicated staff members partner with communities to address the root causes of hunger, including climate change, conflict, inequity, and emergencies. We strive to create a world free from hunger, for everyone, for good.