“A good teacher remains a student forever.” This was the guiding motto of a recent two-day workshop held in Kisumu, where trainers from our Mayenya community center and volunteers from Make Me Smile International (MMSI) gathered. This workshop brought together individuals with various backgrounds and levels of experience, ranging from beginners to advanced trainers.

“Effective on-job training is a good thing as it benefits the trainers and the students,” remarked one participant. The workshop’s biggest strength was the diversity of the participants. Their different backgrounds and expertise created an environment where everyone could learn from each other. The on-job training aimed to bring the team together and provide an opportunity to refresh, share, and expand their knowledge as trainers.

Interactive Teaching Methods

Throughout the workshop, a variety of teaching methods were used to keep the sessions engaging and effective. These included detailed presentations, role-playing exercises, interactive games, and group discussions to foster teamwork and idea exchange. One attendee highlighted, “Interactive activities and examples brought the content to life.” Fun team-building activities strengthened bonds among trainers, and sharing personal experiences and challenges provided a platform for support and understanding.

Focus on Key Topics

The workshop covered several crucial topics essential for trainers, such as enhancing public speaking skills to improve communication with students, teaching best practices for providing constructive feedback, discussing strategies to maintain motivation and enthusiasm even during challenging times, and emphasizing the importance of mutual support among trainers, recognizing that everyone faces similar challenges in their roles. Before the training began, participants were asked about the challenges they face, and their answers were incorporated into the planning of the training sessions.

Importance of Regular Meetings

A representative of the graduates shared her journey, saying, “I joined the vocational school without any skills and I am now graduating as a fully equipped professional in dressmaking, beauty therapy, hairdressing, and information communication technology.” She emphasized that motherhood does not end dreams, sharing her success as a testament to this belief.

The ceremony concluded with a reminder that graduation is not the end but merely the beginning of a new chapter in their journey, opening the door to even greater opportunities and achievements.