Training Time!!

Strengthening Caregivers: Strengthening Youth Training

Location: Puerto Princesa City, Palawan

Duration: March 20^th – March 22^nd 2012

PCVs: Matthew Klebes, Krystal Klebes, Petra Stumpf, William Shields, Andrew Moiseff and Carmen Britton

Counterparts: Haifa Ortega, Ruby Babanga and Rodel Amano

The above PCVs and counterparts successfully conducted a 3 day training intended to introduce the characteristics and operations of a 24 hour Children in Conflict with the Law Center as well as information, techniques and hands on experience in designing and conducting educational and life skill sessions. The training was for roughly 40-50 social workers, houseparents, daycare workers and several students from the local university.

This training was needed at my site because we are nearing completion of the first 24 hour CICL center on Palawan. The information provided by Andrew, Ruby and Rodel and their experiences at a 24 hour CICL center in Baguio proved to be very interesting to all the participants but most notably to the social workers and houseparents who will work at the center.

Will conducted a stress management session to help the participants evaluate and manage their stress, which, as many of us CYFers know can be quite high for social workers and houseparents.

Petra, Krystal and Haifa conducted sessions concerning effective educational and life skill module creation and covered topics such as: teaching methods and their retention rates, teaching techniques such as “cold call,” setting objectives and assessments.

Tips from the Training:

-I did not give myself any sessions to conduct. This enabled me to deal with any problems, issues etc. without becoming too stressed.

-I used PCPP Davidson funds to fly Andrew’s two counterparts to Baguio and PDO money to get Carmen and Andrew from their site to Palawan. Petra and Will graciously donated their time, patience and expertise to help in this PDO.

-I used an attendance sheet that required both a morning and afternoon sign-in. This helped maintain attendance throughout the training and prevented people from leaving early.

-The venue was the City Hall Audio-Visual Room and can be reserved by many groups and organizations for trainings. FYI if you are looking for a possible cheap/free venue.

-At the end of each day we had a series of feedback questions about the topics covered that day instead of one feedback form at the end of the training. This gave us more specific information on each session.

Check out pictures in my album on facebook!