The Ministry of Human Services and Social Security in collaboration with the Support and Healing Network, hosted a ‘Train the Trainers’ workshop for its officers and religious leaders on December 13 at the Umana Yana, Georgetown.
The workshop forms part of the Ministry’s long-term collaborative and strategic approach to increase its “pool of trained community counselors”.
“As you embark on this very intense session, I trust that what you gain from it, you will not only utilise for your own development but as it suggests ‘training of trainers’, which implies that you should be training others too. And, as you move from this first step into more areas of training, it is hoped that with your collaboration, we can get into communities and get work done,” subject Minister Dr. Vindhya Persaud told the 58 participants.
She also acknowledged the Support and Healing Network, which is a body of religious leaders across Guyana, for their active role in serving the most vulnerable groups in society to promote healing, harmony, brotherhood, fraternity and support in all forms.
“Putting all of us together around the table creates a formidable force that can become something to really transform the way in which people across the country not only think but see each other, understand each other and respect each other,” she said.
Reverend Dr. Kwame Gilbert of Syndicate Leadership Development facilitated the workshop.
The workshop covered topics including training, facilitating, and presenting; understanding how to identify participants’ training needs; creating a lesson plan; creating an active, engaging learning environment; developing visual aids and supporting materials and managing difficult participants and tough topics.
At the conclusion of the session, the Trainers each received a Certificate of Professional Development from the United Kingdom.
