capacity building

Empowering Market Vendors

Development Initiatives International (DII) through its project the Market Vendors AIDS Project (MAVAP), has been implementing workplace based programs among the informal sector communities since it was founded in 2004. The hallmark of the MAVAP implementation approach is through use of peer educators. Therefore DII adopted a deliberate approach to work with communities as partners as opposed to the conventional approach of perceiving communities as just beneficiaries.

Cognizant of the skills gaps faced by community leaders in their attempt to participate in planning, decision making and implementation processes of projects, the organization designed and implemented robust capacity building programs for community leaders

Peer educators training manual

This manual was developed to support the training of peer educators under MAVAP. It is simple comprehensive in coverage and easy to understand. In developing this HIV/AIDS Trainers’ Manual, MAVAP aimed at building the capacity of peer educator trainers to train other peer educators. Subsequently, it is anticipated that this would lead to increased awareness about HIV/AIDS and STI and strengthened community capacity to respond to the epidemic.

The Peer Educators training manual was designed to be used by peer educators selected from the existing team of peer educators in DII/MAVAP operation sites that include; St Balikuddembe, Nakawa Park yard, Nakasero, Natete, Bugolobi, Kitintale,Wandegeya, Nakulabye, Bwaise, Kansanga, Katwe, Nalukongo, Kamwokya and Mukono markets who were identified as trainers and successfully completed a Trainer of Trainers Course. Trainers are advised to continually update themselves with new information by reading other HIV/ AIDS materials.

This manual provides a background of Market Vendors Aids Project (MAVAP), facilitation guidelines and Participants notes in each of the activities in the seven modules namely;

Basic facts about HIV/AIDS and STIs
Behavior Change Communication
Counseling for people living with HIV/AIDS
Care for people with HIV/AIDS
Effective Communication
Teaching methods and Organizing training

Training Of Trainees (TOT) manual

DII recognized the need to train some of the market vendors who became Peer Educators to work as trainer of trainees. The Trainer Of Trainees Manual (TOT) is aimed at developing the training skills of future TOTs who will in turn equip the next generation of peer educators with the requisite knowledge and skills. The development of the manual was informed by feedback from previous trainings as well as skills gaps identified during field activities.

THE PURPOSE OF THE TOT MANUAL IS THREE FOLD

To enhance the technical expertise of TOTs by equipping them with the requisite training skills
To build the capacity of community to train their own resource people(i.e the peer educators
To accelerate the process of leadership development and empowerment for key community leaders.

The trainer of trainees course builds on the previous ones but in terms of the target trainees, it focuses on peer educators who have exhibited exceptional abilities in the area of leadership and training.

THE TOPICS COVERED IN THE MANUAL INCLUDE;

Understanding the Training Concept
Qualities and Functions of an Effective Trainer
Training Needs Assessment
Training Materials and Resources
Teaching Methods and Learning Styles
The Lesson Plan

Capacity building for market leaders

The capacity building manual is the result of six years experience in implementing HIV projects among the market vendors in the Kampala city markets communities. Since 2004, DII has conducted training and skills building workshops among market vendors in order to enhance their ability to participate in meaningful development and to mitigate the impact of HIV/ AIDS in a sustainable manner.

This Manual is to be used as a reference point by the market leaders to address capacity challenges facing their communities aimed and capacity gaps in five key areas identified during project implementation.

CAPACITY GAPS IDENTIFIED IN FIVE KEY AREAS INCLUDE;

Development planning
Leadership development
Business skills development
Strategic thinking
Project proposal development

The purpose of this training manual is;

To build the capacity of market leaders to plan for their own development and to mitigate the impact of HIV/AIDS through fostering good leadership.
To improve leaders skills in the areas of business skills and proposal writing.
Post Training Evaluation and Follow-up.

DII through its MAVAP project has also supported the formation and formalization of several community based groups including PLHIV and other groups. This is aimed at ensuring sustainability of the project interventions.

Reports from the market leaders indicate that the knowledge acquired has enabled vendors to improve the management of their businesses. This has also improved their capacity to lead and manage the communities as well as monitor the project implementation at the grass root level. The pool of trained community resource persons and established community structures has continued to sustain the MAVAP project interventions.