Dominica Red Cross 'Together We Can' advances with Instructor Trainer training

Dominica has moved forward with its Together We Can Youth Peer Education HIV/AIDS programme with the implementation of Phase 1 Instructor Training (IT).

The training was held August 22 - 25at the Holy Redeemer Retreat House in Eggleston. The group was made up of four males and six females ages 18-25 years from different areas of Dominica.

Facilitators were National Trainers (NT) Lilia Joseph-Roberts and Jessica Pinard-Byrne, with Regional Trainer Bennett Charles offering support.

Training commenced on the Monday evening with a short welcome address by Dominica Red Cross Director General Kathleen Pinard-Byrne. This was followed by introductions, pretest, expectations and ground rules.

On Tuesday, Day 2, participants interacted in sessions as well as through games and ice breakers. Charles’ presence was especially helpful in order to fully establish where each participant was heading based on their involvement and the type of questions asked.

By the end of the day participants were more comfortable with the material covered and  expectations of them as IT’s.

A dinner outing was organized that evening for participants to socialize after some intense afternoon sessions. Printed tee-shirts for the workshop were also distributed to participant.

The gesture was well received and great appreciation was shown in recognition of being apart of the TWC programme.

Day 3 started early when the group welcomed a visitor and invited her to join in the morning session as a participant.

Later our visitor was introduced as a guest speaker who disclosed her status as a person living with HIV/AIDS and related her story.

This session really brought out the meaning of “Together We Can” as each participant hugged our visitor and thanked her for her contribution.

On Day 4 participants, paired off from Day 1 to prepare for their return to their respective communities, put their best foot forward in the teach-backs and post test.

All pairs did well and delivered great teach backs to an invited youth group from the Eggleston Community.

After the evaluation of the teach-back, one participant was better suited as a Peer Educator (PE) than an IT.

All participants passed their post test with flying colours. They were all very proud of themselves and excited to move forward to the next phase.

NTs are due to meet with the newly-trained ITs on September 28.

That meeting’s agenda is a follow-up to assess where each team is at for the planning of their first PE training. Phase 2 PE training is expected to be held in October/early November.