TRAINING FOR COMMUNITY LEADERS

On Wednesday, together with Erkingul, I performed a training in community-based psychosocial support for ACT Alliance local partners. The focus group for the training was community leaders, selected by partner staff managements. In the training there were 18 participants (15 women and 3 men). The participants have professional backgrounds within the fields of education, health, psychology and technique. All are involved in community work for ACT Alliance partners in Southern Kyrgyzstan.

Before the training there had been worries among local partners if it was able to have training for both Uzbeks and Kyrgyz at the same time. Would it be secure enough? Erkingul and I was well prepared and starting in a slow mode presenting the aims of the training and also the basics that it was for everyone, regardless of ethnicity, religion or background. It was also emphasized that everyone should be safe in the training having opportunities to express own opinions, feelings and thoughts. The workshop was interactive and there were many good discussions and group work. I think the best feed back of the training was when the participants asked for a group photography.