This last week here in Adama has been great. During the day, we have been extremely busy with training, and we have spent most evenings preparing for the next day and trying to wind down enough to get some sleep.
The participants are extremely engaged, and are really keeping all of the trainers on our toes with thoughtful, and often challenging questions.
Much of what we are teaching them seem to be new concepts and tools. For example, process mapping, mind mapping and 5S methodology. However some of the context of our training is only building on their current knowledge. Everyone appeared to be very aware of the importance of saftey and proper packaging techniques ((triple packaging system) when it comes to sample management.
One of the activities we used to demonstrate how the 5S methodology could be put into practice was to have the participants organize a packaging work station. We (the trainers) had fun building a cluttered, messy area representing the workstation...and then worked along side them to organize and clean the area, rearranging the items to insure proper work flow.
We asked for the participants to come up with "energizers" in the afternoon....to get people up and moving and re-engaged in our activities. One such energizer was to turn and give your neighbor a nice neck rub. Everyone seemed to enjoy that one!
Every activity was full of energy and excitement. Mind mapping was no exception.
Some of the participants might have even taken the terminology "mind" mapping a little too literally!
Joan works with Addis to clarify some of the lecture topics. Interesting enough, Addis is the regional partner who is affiliated with Univeristy of California, San Diego. He works in a lab which provides technical assistance for HIV prevention, care and treatment to the Uniformed Services of Ethiopia (USE), which includes the National Defense Forces of Ethiopia (NDFE), the Federal Police of Ethiopia (FPE), and the Federal Prison Administration (FPA).
There are also regional partners participating in this training who are affiliated with Columbia University, Johns Hopkins University.
On Friday, the students had to prepare 'teachbacks'. 25-30 minute presentations as a group, with each participant presenting for 5 minutes. This was to give them practice as a trainer, and after each group was done the entire class would offer constructive feedback. Everyone did amazingly! Even the quiet, shy folks who didn't offer up much during the week got up and presented their material.
They used a variety of instructional techniques and often added humor to their lessons. It was great to see them incorportating many of the tips and tricks we had taught them.
Saturday morning, the head honcho of EHNRI came out to present certificates to each of the students. We were also able to burn CD's of all the photos both Joy and I had taken over the last week...including this great group photo. I think they were more excited about the picture CD then they were about the certificate!
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