For the Chapter
EWB is renound for the training it provides their overseas volunteers. As a Junior Fellow (JF), my preparation consists of the following:
1) Creating and following my own Personal Development Plan (PDP)
2) Coffee Shops with the Return JF (RJF)
3) Foundation Learning Program
A personal development plan is a personalized growth plan. In order to make one, you must reflect on your strengths and weaknesses as a development worker and come up with a list of things you'd like to improve on, the ways you intend to improve them and a timeline for growth. This plan is shared with the RJF and they act as a mentor throughout your personal development.
Coffee Shops are what we call weekly meetings between the RJF and incoming JF. This time is used to discuss readings, work through exercises and monitor PDP progress. I am in the process of mapping out the themes for the coffee shops and they will start this week. I am hoping to include as many chapter members in these coffee shops as possible so they can prepare for my placement with me and become more prepared if they are planning to go overseas with EWB.
The last part of our preparation is the Foundation Learning Program. It is a (very large) book, full of suggested readings to prepare us for one week of training that happens in Toronto right before departure. The Foundation Learning Book is structured in a way that mirrors the sessions we will be having during pre-departure training. The program follows EWB's Learning Pyramid and you must develop competence in one level before you can move to the one above it. I've outlined the content, required readings and activities associated with each level and assigned a timeline for the completion of each section.
1) Health, Safety and Well Being February 12
1.Vaccinations
2. Safety, EWB' emergency response plan
3. Nutrition, nutrition by crop, Canada's Food Guide
2) Understanding Culture and Approach February 26
1. Meet with someone from your host country to talk about the cultural adjustments I will have to make and some of the cultural adjustments they had to make
2. Read Culture as an Iceberg
3. Read Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe
4. Read White Privelege and Unpacking the Knapsack
5. Discuss Readings at Coffee Shop
3)Understanding of Livlihoods and Poverty March 5
1. Read Rural Livlihoods in Zambia
2. Complete related activity, discuss at coffee shop -- this will be a future post
3. Read Introduction to Agriculture
4. Complete Ill Being and Well Being Activity, discuss at coffee shop -- future post
4)Understanding the Development Sector March 12
1. Read chapter one of Mastering the Machine by Ian Smilie
2. Learn about international, national and charity aid organizations, discuss at coffee shop
5) Project and Sector Specific Learning March 19
1. Read EWB Profile on Zambia or Malawi
2. Read provided documents on agriculture or water and sanitation
3. Arrange a phone call with Regional Director or current Africa Programs Staff to identify at least 3 new knowledge skills or attitudes I will have to develop before starting work
4. MS Office General Skill Building
6) Understanding how to Create Change March 26
1. Complete an MBTI analysis,a personality test to help me understand my working style
2. Learn about Participatory Approaches
3. Learn about different learning styles
3. Read the Coaching Handbook, practice mentoring!
I hope this gives you more understanding of the JF preparation process. Help yourself to the required readings, they are all posted in the right hand panel. I am about to dive into Level Two!
so long,
kate
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