Umthatha Capacity Training

Molweni , Hello, Bonjour, Dumelang!!!!!!

Once again Sussie and I went to the Eastern Cape in Umtata where they speak deep isiXhosa mixed with English, which was nice for both of us. We went there to train community care workers with Itemba Community Development Services. We had a great time with 15 participants who enjoyed every minute with CWBSA facilitators.

It was a week of transforming adults into children – playing games, doing funny warm-ups, singing songs, telling stories, and other fun activities. This happened easily because participants were very flexible and open. They were ready for anything that was about to happen. In fact, the week seemed to be too short for all of us, but we tried to cover as much as we planned to do with them. Their enthusiasm motivated us to work harder.

Since it was our first time working with the organization, we thought we might experience lots of logistical challenges. Instead, we had lots and lots of fun together! For me it was a good time to see Sussie facilitating with confidence. Working with her has been good all the time.

We hope they learned a lot from us and that they will incorporate what they learned in their work and also in their lives. Participants said they felt good to be in that kind of a training which is practical, they used on being in trainings that had a set-up of class, which made them to forget easily but the way we did things with them they think it’s not easy to forget.

Almost forgot to tell about our accommodation, it was classy! And very different from our usual humble lodgings on projects. The dining hall was decorated; you could think it was a functions room, with their good, nice breakfast.

All I can say we had a great week. I don’t have a specific day or moment. Everytime we had our FUN. I think learning in an fun way stays in your mind. Hope to work with them again!

- Sibongile Tsoanyane, 11 November 2011