AusAID trains nine lead trainers of trainers

Deputy Head of Australian AID program Mr James Hall
presents Certificate to CDW Geua Kekeha.

NINE community development workers are now certified as lead trainers capable of providing mentoring and coaching to improve the capacity of government officers, Community Development Worker (CDWs) in participatory planning and monitoring and evaluation skills.

The nine individuals successfully completed the National Training of Community Development Worker Lead Trainers workshop held at the Port Moresby’s Hodava Hotel on July 8-12.

This workshop is part of AusAID’s ongoing commitment to develop the capability of men and women for the practice of democratic governance and delivered through the Strongim Nesen Strongim Pipol (SPSN) program.

AusAID’s Deputy Head of AID James Hall who spoke at the closing ceremony said it was important that the transfer of these skills will enable communities and local government to plan, mobilise and manage resources, and regularly monitor and evaluate development priorities to ensure effective service delivery.

“Today concludes your training as lead trainers- the transfer of your skills and knowledge in participatory planning and monitoring and evaluation will impact up to more than 190 community development officers, including 100 government community development officers in all provinces and 90 community based development officers”, he told participants

The nine trained CDWs will now be able to lead regional training of trainer workshop in the following locations:

• Highlands region in Mt Hagen on Aug 12-22.
• Momase with Eastern Highlands will be held in Lae from July 24-Aug 3.
• New Guinea Islands in Kokopo, July 24-Aug 3.
• While those from the Southern Region will gather in Port Moresby on Aug 12-22.

The regional workshops will provide a unique opportunity to build the capability of community development workers throughout PNG to work with provincial government officers, other community development workers and communities in participatory planning, project implementation and monitoring and evaluation.

This has been made possible with AusAID funding of K155,000 and technical support made available through the SPSN program.

Remie Numbos, a participant at the training described the training as vital and motivating.

“With these skills, I have acquired from the workshop, I am now able to help train others who will be able to impact and change lives for many at the grassroots level,” Numbos said

Another participant Geua Kekeha said: “I am confident that I will be able to provide training and mentoring to others that need it. This is also empowering for me as a woman trainer. I will be able to utilize these skills not only to deliver SPSN trainings but in other trainings in future.”

The group includes: Judy Karawa, Theodora Maea, Beverly Olesi, Mildred Konji, Daina Exon, Karara Molondimendai, Brian Kopi,Numbos and Kekeha.

To date, SPSN has trained and accredited up to 124 community development workers spread across all 22 provinces of PNG who are engaged in their communities to promote the practice of democratic governance.

SPSN is a four year, K220 million program funded by AusAID, that is working to enable civil society, the private sector, and government to work in partnership to better meets the needs of communities across PNG.

The CDWs with their TOT certificates, along with trainer Rebecca Robinson (seated, front) and AusAID representatives.