During
May 2005 a 3 week workshop was held in Glasgow for delegates
from Positive Steps projects in Ghana, Malawi and Tanzania.
Demonstrating
Positive Steps ongoing commitment to building the capacity
of local organisations and community groups in Africa to tackle
problems of poverty and ill health, the aim of the workshop
was to enable delegates to return to their countries and train
staff and volunteers to deliver Positive Steps Health and
Lifestyle Education programmes.
During
their time in Scotland Andrew Saibu (POSTEP-Ghana), Martin
Chiwala (Positive Steps-Malawi) and Dafrosa Itemba (Kiwakukki)
were assisted by Positive Steps staff in agreeing a curriculum,
compiling lesson plans and designing resources. The resulting
‘Africa Teachers Pack’ (ATP), effectively a mobile
set of resources, will prove an invaluable tool now they returned
to their projects. Each pack is individually tailored for
the county it will be used in, and will be utilised in the
training of staff and volunteers as well as in the delivery
of sessions in school and community group settings.
In
addition to compiling the Africa Teachers Pack, the delegates
also participated in Multimedia Training and visited schools
across Glasgow to meet pupils and explore teaching methods.
Several of the schools, including Knockburn Primary, Littlehill
Primary Carntyne Primary, Royston Primary, Garthamlock Primary
and Ruchazie Primary, also raised money for the purchase of
multimedia equipment for the Africa projects, including digital
camcorders, cameras and projectors. Following the successful
delivery of the training, which ensured that the delegates
would be able to make full use of the equipment upon their
return to their projects, it was agreed that they would also
explore opportunities to generate income for their projects
using the equipment.
Overall,
the visit to Scotland was a great success, as Andrew Saibu
of POSTEP-Ghana confirmed. “It was great to get
the opportunity to put Positive Steps resources into an African
context, and the resulting Africa Teachers Pack is invaluable.”
Andrew was similarly impressed with the multimedia training,
explaining “Having the use of a digital camera and
projector will make a big difference to the delivery of our
work. We are very excited as we have not has access to this
equipment before, and now we have it and know how to use it.
Many thanks to the schools who raised money for this equipment.”
If
you would like to help us provide equipment for our international
projects contact Gordon Sharp on 01382 227774 or email gordonsharp@positivesteps.org.uk
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