I apologize for the delay since my last post from Zambia.  The strength of the internet connection in Siavonga digressed over the course of my stay, and I was unable to post any new updates.

On the edge of man-made Lake Kariba from the Kariba Dam

Without any further interruptions, here are all the details of the remainder of the International Trainer of Trainers Workshop. The final four days of the workshop could be easily separated into three components:

1)   Basic implementation strategy and activities from the GET (Gender and Entrepreneurship Together) Ahead For Youth Enterprise.  This is the comprehensive training manual and program that has been developed by the International Labour Organization.

2)   High Level discussion on project development, methodologies, and overall strategies.  I would have preferred that more of the content could focus on this area, especially considering the terrific knowledge-sharing opportunity with participants from so many countries.

3)   Social activities.  This includes some thought-provoking discussions over dinner and drinks through the week

In further detail:

GET Ahead

The workshops that we covered for youth training over the final four days included business mapping, marketing, financial management, costing, family businesses, management skills, selling strategies and business planning.   The program does a good job of teaching these skills to young people, and we were further educated on these activities as training facilitators.

Workshops

High Level Strategy

Some of the most interesting workshops and lectures in this area included discussions on sustainability in the field, neurological characteristics of entrepreneurs, and a talk about if young people are bankable. We also had a thorough discussion on Business Development Services, Mentorship, and Monitoring and Evaluation frameworks. Program indicators and program capacity were also discussed in detail. On the last day, participants were asked to create country-specific action plans and to develop bilateral and multilateral agreements as a result of the workshop.

Social activities

In addition to numerous meals and opportunities for engagements during those times, there were several special social activities.  On Thursday, the group went on a short bus ride to the Kariba Dam, on the border between Zambia and Zimbabwe.  This massive dam (one of the largest in the world) was constructed in 1955 and was recognized as an international engineering marvel when it was completed.  In addition to being incredibly large, the flow of water can be so massive that it creates flooding for more than 2,000km downriver! Hundreds of thousands of people were displaced to both create Lake Kariba (one of the largest man-made lakes in the world), as well the rivers which the Lake leads to.  Be sure to check out the photo album link at the bottom of this post for many photos of the dam.

View from the Kariba Dam overlooking the flowing water and valley.

On Saturday, the final night, we had a ceremonial closing dinner with several governmental dignitaries in attendance.  We were treated to traditional dance performance, and each participant was awarded a certificate.

Dancing Performance at the Closing Ceremonies

Early Sunday morning, we boarded the bus to return to the capital city of Lusaka, which is where I will begin my next post…

Click here for the Photo Album.  Photos 78-115 cover this part of the trip.