My primary role as a consultant for the European Union is to ‘build capacity.’ This is currently a ‘buzz word’ in the developing world (and quite an abstract concept), so I have attempted to give it personal meaning. Within the context of my role in the In-Service Education and Training Department, I ‘build capacity’ by training the trainers – that’s my job. Every quarter, I host a 5-day residential workshop during which time I train the trainers on a variety of topics, concepts, and strategies. Most of the time, I allow the trainers to create the agenda for the week, but once in a while I politely request (read, ‘demand’) that a topic appear in the agenda. Last week, during my 3rd Capacity Building Workshop, I organized a full day of ‘teambuilding’ for INSET with an adventure company called, Swazi Trails. The reason that I persisted in securing such a day is because last month our team of 10 lost 4 members when they were promoted to work as ‘inspectors’ of schools. As a team of 10, we were severely understaffed – considering there are 580 primary schools in Swaziland and our team of 10 was responsible for providing the ongoing training for all teachers, we were overwhelmed. Couple that with the devastation of losing (about) half of your colleagues, and we were a meager group of 6 demoralized folks. No kidding. But, at the same time that 4 were promoted, the Ministry miraculously approved postings for 13 new hires to our department. Our Director had been actively recruiting and swiftly carried out the interview and selection process so that in a short period of time we went from 10 down to 6 all the way up to 19! Not only were we no longer understaffed, but we also had an influx of new, positive energy that comes with new hires. Phew. So, to kick-off our first Capacity Building Workshop with our whole, new team we ventured to Swazi Trails for a day of teambuilding. It was truly a splendid day of getting to know our new teammates, strengthening old relationships, problem solving and communicating. The highlight for me was actually the laughter. There was lots of it.
Our Teams [by color – we won, I’m just sayin’]
Red: Mpendulo, Nkosinathi, Paisley, Ivy and Dortia
Yellow: Peter, Graham, Bheki and Bongiwe
Green: Jabulani, Charles, Mandla, Maria and Nomsa
Blue: Boy, Zodwa, Mary and Njabulo
Our facilitator, Darron
Warm-up activity: word scramble = the phrase, 'Anything I can do we can do better.'
‘Crossing the River’ required all teammates and materials to reach the other side without putting a foot down…There were multiple strategies to start, and the Yellow Team really tried to make it happen in one crossing and as a group
Making shapes out of rope while blindfolded
Memory Game
Crossing the Mine Field…Blindfolded!
Even lunch was a competition. Each team was given the same starting materials and was awarded points for ‘presentation’ since the objective for everyone was to make themselves a tasty meal.
Before
After
And the smiles…Jabulani (coincidentally, his name means, 'happy' in siSwati)
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You have a great team! Keep the momentum going!
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