I Too Can Direct a Movie Now!: Reflections of a first-time trainer
Shivani Singh, Program Officer, PRIA

I have just returned from facilitating a three day training on project proposal development at JawaharJyoti Bal Vikas Kendra in Samastipur, Bihar. JawaharJyotiBalVikas Kendra works for the socio-economic, educational and cultural development of the most neglected and disadvantaged sections of society. It is a center for behavior studies, vocational and environmental training and engages in consultancy work for people's rights and movements to achieve a just and equitable society.

In the span of 6 years of work experience, I got to do everything that was directly and indirectly related to training such as training module preparation, PPT, case studies, taking interviews, fixing interviews, training schedule, translating from Gujarati to English, training report writing and many more. But to impart training with only one co-trainer was entirely a new experience. On a lighter note, it was like earlier I was working as an assistant director and now I too can direct a movie!

Everything I learnt is going to help me in many ways. Most importantly, I feel a sense of confidence that yes, I too can impart training. I am a trainer! Lot of learning from TOT (Lucknow) and especially the participatory methodologies I got to learn helped me in imparting the training in an effective manner.

On my return, I reflected on the training, and I realize :

  1. There is Immense Need for capacity building at the local level :
    There is immense need for training at the local level. The organizations at grassroots expressed need for training in subjects like: communication, personality development, participatory training methodology, various minute components of project proposal writing (concept note, budgeting, objectives setting, vision mission, cover letter) NGO management etc. I feel that PRIA has a lot to offer from its reservoir of knowledge and experience of over 30 years.

  2. Maximum participants appreciated the participatory methodologies used by us :
    Maximum participants shared that they have attended many trainings on project proposal writing but they never wrote it themselves. At the beginning of the training all the participants said that they get the project proposal made by a consultant who uses a set format and just changes the name and address of the organization and a proposal is ready with in 5 minutes. When the participants made the proposal by themselves they realized that it is not a task of 5 minutes but requires enormous time and effort mentally.

  3. Magic of using participatory methodology :
    On second day the participants were divided into groups to write proposals. Initially they all said we don't know how to write, they raised all types of questions: how to write objectives,how to prepare a timeline, how to prepare a concept note etc. But once they started writing I observed that except for few, maximum number participants did not leave the activity, they started enjoying it. They wanted to write more. They all sat for nearly 5 hours at a go. This was good learning for me as well:that proposal writing is a time taking activity and cannot be rushed!

  4. Preparation is key : It was learning for me that the more prepared we are, the more effective we become in imparting training. And it is a very responsible job.

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