I was recently invited to join Peace Corps' GAD (Gender and Development) Committee and had the pleasure to join the GAD members, other PCVs and local Ni-Van participants in a week long Training Of Trainers Workshop in Lakatoro, Malakula. Our objective was to teach our invited participants how to become better leaders in their community especially in terms of helping and inspiring their youth who have little to no resources for building their confidence and reach their highest potential. We also held sessions in Adolescent Reproductive Health (what changes occur in both female and male bodies), Sex Education (what contraceptions exist and how to use them), & the effects of Drugs & Alcohol. It was a looooong, tireless, inspiring & fun-filled week. Although I played a role in organizing and facilitating some workshops I gained so much by simply sitting in and listening. I learned that regardless of where you are in the world those of us who choose to become leaders do so because we have a passion to aspire to be better than say our parents in hopes of making our families proud and also because it's important that our nation (whatever nation we live in) has a solid foundation and the ability to move forward both intellectually and spiritually. At the end of our week our 32 participants and 12 PC Volunteers built unexpected friendships and grew closer as a people bond by a common understanding that a good leader is not based on what material possessions we have, but in the character of a person.
Enjoy the pictures!
Peace Corps Vanuatu Volunteers with our handmade Kamp Banner
GAD members (Arthur, Alexia, Tarakea & ME) arriving in Malakula Norsup Airport
GAD meeting pre-workshop agenda....if only all conference rooms had this view
Prepping for one of our many activities... tie-dying t-shirts.
Facilitating a workshop session the local way-- on the beach by the ocean...followed by local kakae (aka food) served on local plates (aka leaves)!
PCV Sandy and Alexia discuss the week long schedule while several participants make a presentation on their communities' leaders.
Malakula participants and PCVs enjoy making origama hats and an activity on building trust
Participants' condom relay race... lesson-how to properly put on a condom using a ripe banana.
What's a workshop without getting my hair braided by Odile the best hairstylist in the group.
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