We are half way through the training program with the 40 women from Tusaidiane. It is going well and each day is a buzz of learning. You can see how the women are becoming increasingly more comfortable with the business concepts. We hit finance the other day which is typically not fun/easy for anyone - Africa or North America. Actually they responded extremely well to cash flow – it was ‘cost of sales’ that got a bit complicated J but we worked through it.
I continue to find ways to get the women engaged. While they are definitely committed and working hard it gets very hot which sometimes makes it tiring, especially when in a learning environment (mind processes differently). As previously mentioned we bring in snacks and bottled water but I have also gotten in the habit of doing a bit of an exercise routine around our breaks. We all stand up and do body stretches. Following this we do a little routine – spread feet about a foot apart, stand in the boxing position and then do two big uppercuts yelling ‘biashara, biashara (business, business)’ followed by three quick jabs yelling ‘ndiyo, ndiyo, ndiyo’ (yes, yes, yes) – followed by throwing both hands in the air yelling ‘hooray’. As silly as it sounds everyone likes it. The other day I forgot to do it when we started break and they reminded me we had to do it. Touched me! J
We went through the process around making presentations for their business grants. I provided a form they need to complete to leave with me (a basic version of a 1-page business plan). I am making a special trip to the village do get the presentations started in a few days. We are scheduling 5 per hour which means each woman needs to make the presentation to Rabahu and I plus four of their peers (good practice around the presentation and selling skills we went over last week). I am really looking forward to the presentations. I think it will be evidence of how much they have learned.
It was always my intention to have a graduation ceremony of some sort however it has seemed to take on a life of its own. The women formed a Planning Committee and are busy making the arrangements. Each woman can invite two guests and formal invitations were prepared for the tribal chiefs. There will be food, music, dancing, celebration and of course the Graduation where each woman will be called up to receive a Certificate of Achievement. With close to 130 people and everything that’s going on – sure sounds like a party to me. J I must also share that ‘celebration’ is one thing Africans definitely excel at.
Feeling excited and proud. More to follow…..
I continue to find ways to get the women engaged. While they are definitely committed and working hard it gets very hot which sometimes makes it tiring, especially when in a learning environment (mind processes differently). As previously mentioned we bring in snacks and bottled water but I have also gotten in the habit of doing a bit of an exercise routine around our breaks. We all stand up and do body stretches. Following this we do a little routine – spread feet about a foot apart, stand in the boxing position and then do two big uppercuts yelling ‘biashara, biashara (business, business)’ followed by three quick jabs yelling ‘ndiyo, ndiyo, ndiyo’ (yes, yes, yes) – followed by throwing both hands in the air yelling ‘hooray’. As silly as it sounds everyone likes it. The other day I forgot to do it when we started break and they reminded me we had to do it. Touched me! J
We went through the process around making presentations for their business grants. I provided a form they need to complete to leave with me (a basic version of a 1-page business plan). I am making a special trip to the village do get the presentations started in a few days. We are scheduling 5 per hour which means each woman needs to make the presentation to Rabahu and I plus four of their peers (good practice around the presentation and selling skills we went over last week). I am really looking forward to the presentations. I think it will be evidence of how much they have learned.
It was always my intention to have a graduation ceremony of some sort however it has seemed to take on a life of its own. The women formed a Planning Committee and are busy making the arrangements. Each woman can invite two guests and formal invitations were prepared for the tribal chiefs. There will be food, music, dancing, celebration and of course the Graduation where each woman will be called up to receive a Certificate of Achievement. With close to 130 people and everything that’s going on – sure sounds like a party to me. J I must also share that ‘celebration’ is one thing Africans definitely excel at.
Feeling excited and proud. More to follow…..