Adeye Kesete
Community Health and Wellbeing Worker
When we visited Duque de Caxias last week, it was one of the most humbling and meaningful experiences of my time in Rio de Janeiro.
From the moment we arrived at the clinic, I felt genuine warmth. The team welcomed us openly. They offered food and drinks and created a space that felt generous and proud. Seeing photos of past visiting teams gave me a strong sense of continuity and partnership.
Meeting Renata was a real highlight. She had worked as a CHWW for 25 years and lived in the community she served. As she guided us through her micro-area, her way of working felt very familiar. As a CHWW myself, I recognised much of what she did. She supported around 300 households and knew each one deeply, from health conditions to family structures and individual needs. In one home, I saw five generations living together under her care. That level of connection and responsibility stayed with me. It reflected the trust-based relationships we aim to build in our own communities.
Her work was very holistic. She supported physical health, mental health, and overall wellbeing. Through local meetups, she brought people together. They spoke about healthy eating, physical activity, and what mattered most to them. These gatherings built both knowledge and community. This strongly reflected the preventative, community-led work we do as CHWWs. Small, everyday conversations and consistent engagement can lead to meaningful change over time.
Throughout the visit, I felt compassion. This came not only from Renata, but from all the CHWWs. They worked from the heart. Because they were part of the community, their care felt natural and trusted. It made me reflect on my own practice. Even in different settings, we are responding to the same human needs in similar, holistic ways.
The visit also made me think about planetary health. CHWWs are already contributing in quiet but powerful ways. They encourage sustainable lifestyles, strengthen local support systems, and help reduce pressure on services. Their work supports not only individuals and families, but also the wider health of communities and the planet.
Throughout the visit, I felt compassion. This came not only from Renata, but from all the CHWWs. They worked from the heart. Because they were part of the community, their care felt natural and trusted. It made me reflect on my own practice. Even in different settings, we are responding to the same human needs in similar, holistic ways.
The visit also made me think about planetary health. CHWWs are already contributing in quiet but powerful ways. They encourage sustainable lifestyles, strengthen local support systems, and help reduce pressure on services. Their work supports not only individuals and families, but also the wider health of communities and the planet.
This experience helped me reflect more deeply on my own role. Seeing CHWW work in another part of the world allowed me to step back. It helped me recognise both the value and the shared purpose of what we do. It felt reassuring and grounding to see the same principles in a different setting.
At the same time, it raised important questions about the future of this profession. The work is meaningful, but there need to be clearer opportunities for growth and progression. Without this, there is a risk of people feeling depleted over time. Supporting long-term relationships in communities must go hand in hand with professional development and recognition.
From this visit, I saw the core principles of Community Health and Wellbeing work come to life very clearly: being community centered through hyperlocal, culturally relevant care; proactive in preventing issues before they escalate; built on long-term, trusting relationships; and strengthened through close, integrated working with clinical services.
Looking back, this experience did more than show me how CHWWs work. It reminded me why I chose this role. It also highlighted how deeply connected we are across communities, doing the same work with the same purpose. I feel incredibly thankful to everyone who made this opportunity possible.
