On November 9th and 10th 2024, the Africa Federation Capacity Building Board (CBG) conducted two transformative programs in Kigali, Rwanda: A Self-Awareness and Teaching Skills Workshop for Madrasah teachers and a Youth Empowerment Program. Both initiatives sought to inspire personal growth, professional development, and meaningful change within the community.
The programs were further enriched through the collaboration between the Africa Federation Education Board (EBS) and CBG, which included a career counseling session featuring psychometric tests and personalized guidance to help 15 students and their parents explore career paths and make informed decisions. This initiative aimed to equip the youth with essential tools and knowledge for their educational journeys while benefiting from the expertise of facilitators who ensured a holistic and impactful experience. The sessions were facilitated by Sr. Shama Dewji, an experienced CBG facilitator, who led a workshop for teachers and the youth development program, alongside Sajida Master, a certified career counselor and CBG facilitator.
Empowering Madrasah Teachers: Self-Awareness and Teaching Skills Workshop
The program for Madrasah teachers, held on November 9th, aimed at enhancing teaching methodologies and fostering self-awareness among educators. The session equipped Madrasah teachers with practical tools to inspire and engage their students effectively.
Participants delved into concepts such as the Iceberg Theory and the MBTI Personality Framework to better understand their own traits and those of their students. They explored the T.E.A.C.H Model, which emphasizes structured approaches to lesson delivery, creativity, and engaging students with both theoretical and practical knowledge.
Interactive activities like the signature exercise encouraged educators to reflect on their teaching styles, adaptability, and communication. Facilitators encouraged participants to focus on building a positive classroom environment, promoting teamwork, and addressing individual teaching strengths and challenges.
Participants walked away with actionable insights to boost their effectiveness in classrooms, such as better understanding their students’ needs, fostering empathy, and enhancing interpersonal communication. The session concluded with the reminder to “keep learning” and appreciate the unique qualities of others, resonating with the quote shared:
"A good teacher can inspire hope, ignite the imagination, and instill a love of learning."
Participant reflections underscored the program’s success, with feedback such as:
“I now understand why people are the way they are - it's fascinating to learn about different personalities.”
“The Iceberg Theory helped me realize how much of our actions stem from unseen factors beneath the surface.”
“Every aspect was covered clearly, and the points were explained with precision.”
“The discussions and experiments made the theories relatable and applicable to real-life situations.”
Inspiring the Youth: Self-Awareness and Empowerment Program
The Self-Awareness and Youth Empowerment Program held on Saturday November 9th for girls and Sunday November 10th 2024, was tailored to foster personal growth and enhance self-awareness among the youth.
The program emphasized the importance of self-awareness in making informed decisions and offered valuable techniques for identifying personal strengths while addressing challenges. Participants explored foundational concepts like the Iceberg Theory, which highlights the unseen aspects of one’s personality, and The Johari Window, a tool for improving self-awareness and interpersonal relationships
Interactive activities, such as drawing a hand and reflecting on achievements, dreams, and fears, helped the youth engage deeply with the content. Discussions and group exercises centered around overcoming personal blocks, such as the “I know it all” mindset, and strategies for expanding one’s comfort zone.
Additionally, the program included an introduction to communication skills, mental health awareness, and the Personal Development Plan (PDP), a framework for setting goals and creating actionable steps toward personal growth.
Participants left the program with a stronger understanding of themselves, armed with practical strategies to enhance communication, overcome fears, and embark on a path of continuous personal development.
Reflections from the youth included:“
We could express ourselves without being judged.”
“I loved the public speaking session.”
“The facilitators were very interactive, and I enjoyed finding out more about myself.”
“Mental health specifically appealed to me.”
“The non-judgmental discussions were very helpful.”
Both programs emphasized lifelong learning, self-reflection, and teamwork, leaving an indelible impact on all attendees. The diversity of activities and tailored content ensured that teachers and youth alike could apply the lessons to their personal and community roles.
Participants and Facilitators of the Youth Empowerment Session
The AFED Capacity Building Group (CBG) wish to accord sincere gratitude to the Office Bearers of Africa Federation for their unwavering support and Kigali Jamaat for supporting and hosting the program.
We would also like to thank the Africa Federation Secretariat for their encouragement, cooperation, and financial support, which has made it possible for us to consistently hold such training seminars.
Finally, our deep appreciation also goes to every participant who took time off from their busy schedules for this transformative experience that fuels personal growth, enhances leadership abilities, and positively impacts lives and society.
Together, we continue to build a brighter future through education, self-awareness, and collective growth.
Secretariat Capacity Building Board (CBG)
24th December 2024 /22nd Jamadi ul Aakhar 1446 AH
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