S - Stimulation!

[Autry Haynes]

“What is this that I have in my hand?” One of the 26 cosmetologists took it and said “it is a quartz stone and is firm.” The Facilitator remark was “does it makes you feel like talking as well?” “yes” was the reply. “okay, then you will be the first to share your personal dream with all of us.” Smiling the participant said “OMG!” but took up the challenge, followed by the 25 other cosmetologists. This was day 2 of the three days SALT with cosmetologists. Day one had identification of strengths and information on what SALT was.
Korey, Colleen and Autry were the lead Facilitators but Paula, Marilyn, Marc, Ryon, Michael and Aleta participated part of the three days to support and / or gain experience in SALT visits and ensuing processes.

Sharing of individual dreams was following creating a group dreams. The 26 cosmetologists were grouped into four groups. Creating groups’ dreams took 2.5 hrs, concluding at lunch.
The purpose and illustration of Self Assessment took up the post lunch period. This was done as a group effort as well. Emanating from the self assessment, the river diagram indicates that of the 10 practices, cosmetologists are at level 3 for most practices. Strengths were observed in practices, acknowledgment and recognition, access to treatment, and learning and transfer.
The priority practices for strengthening are [1] inclusion, [2] linking care and prevention and [3] measuring change and adopting our response.
In terms of action planning the cosmetologists plan to move from level 3 to 4 in inclusion, land inking care and prevention; while they plan to move from level 2 to 3 for the measuring change and adopting our response.
The first self measurement will take place in one month’s time and will ascertain specific actions such as effort to include barbers in the Cosmetology Association of Guyana and placement of suggestions boxes in each association member place of business.
As the first exercise for the Guyana Competence expectation was somewhat apprehensive but we approached it with open minds. Somewhere in betwixt the apprehension and open mindedness, the though of engaging 40 cosmetologists. It turned out to be only 26 persons. The thought was expressed that this number was more manageable. Having a schedule of what to do over the three days was helpful and the team effort contributed to a successful activity.
In closing the Coordinator an experienced Facilitator herself remarked “When I attend workshops as this, I generally conclude by saying, it was better if I had facilitated the workshop, but not so this time, I certainly could not have done such a remarkable facilitation.”

[Autry Haynes]

Thank you Laurence. I was lost as to Mamoutou's comments / remarks. Only here on the Community Life competence things happen so competently.

Saludos

[Gaston]

Great activity and well written blog. Your team work as a multi-organizational facilitation team is impressive. I am also wondering about 'what next'? What will the cosmetologists do now?

How are they planning to use it with all the adolescants that visit their shops for Reproductive Health-related issues etc.

[Laurence Gilliot]

Salut Mamoutou et les amis francophone,

Essayez ceci:
- aller sur www.translate.google.com
- mettre les languages de 'English' vers 'Français'
- mettre l'URL de la page que vous voulez traduire. Dans ce cas c'est http://aidscompetence.ning.com/profiles/blogs/s-stimulation
- cliquer sur 'Translate'
- voilà le résultat: http://translate.google.com/translate?js=n&prev=_t&hl=en&am...

Ce n'est pas parfait mais c'est compréhensible!

Laurence

[Mamoutou]

Merci Laurence
Mais, si nous les francophones pourrions avoir la version française des expériences ou des commentaires sur le SALT des communautés cela nous reconforte.

[Usa Duongsaa]

Bravo, Autry and team! It's wonderful to read about this experience; many thanks for sharing. I'm glad that Korey and Colleen co-facilitated actively with you for this event, and that 6 others were also there to support and learn. Hope they will take turns taking more active facilitation roles in other events to come as you respond to more invitations. Are there some key points from the team's AAR that you can share with us as well, especially on what made the event went so well, and how it could be done even better next time? I'm sure they will be very useful for us who are cheering and learning on the side line :-)

My warm regards to all my wonderful friends in Guyana. Miss you all!

[Laurence Gilliot]

Thanks for sharing Autry. You are such a source of inspiration and motivation for me. I'd love to meet you in real :-)
It is through all your (team) efforts that AIDS and life competence will spread in Guyana.

[Rituu B. Nanda]

Dear Autry,

Thanks for sharing this interesting way of stimulating the dream building excercise. Would you like to share some of the dreams of the cosmetologists?

You work with different kinds of groups. Do you use the standard self-assessment framework for HIV or have you developed any specific one? Would like to learn from your experience.

With appreciation,

Rituu

[YERUVA ANTHONY REDDY]

Dear Haynes,Thanks for doing and sharing the dream building, self assessment and action plan exercises. For a new comer to this approach, it is quite useful on how to go about facilitating these tools. Great work.