Small Business Training
Murombedzi, Zimbabwe
A long time vision of the leadership team for Faith in Community Aiders (FICA) and Home of Hope, has been to develop small business groups and provide training for individuals in the area surrounding Home of Hope. The first step in reaching this goal happened late in 2021, when a group of seven dedicated individuals were trained to be able to teach a proven program of helping people set up Small Business Groups. Now they are equipped to oversee the development of these groups to make sure they are working as they should.
The next step for FICA is to be a funding source for microloans for the participants, to help them get their businesses off the ground. The loans will be used for such things as purchasing equipment or maybe inventory. FICA's first idea is to purchase sewing machines to help some ladies set up their businesses. As their businesses succeed and they begin to pay off their loans, that money will be used to help others set up their businesses. Right now, FICA needs money to get things started. You can help by clicking the button.
Here is an overview of the Train-The-Trainer Program
1. Introduction
Kashy-Com Investments (KCI), a business development partner of Partners Worldwide (PW) facilitated a four-day “Train-The-Trainers (TTT)” workshop for Faith in Community Aiders (FICA). The purpose of the training was to build a team of business trainers for the PW MicroEnterprise (ME) business training curriculum and the savings group training. A total of 7 participants attended and successfully completed the TTT workshop. This report provides an insight into the workshop proceedings.
2. Training Objectives
The objectives of the workshop were:
• To enhance the presentation skills of trainers.
• To help the trainers to develop effective facilitation skills and methods.
• To simplify business concepts through the mindset-based approach.
• To equip the trainers on savings group formation and management.
3. Partners Worldwide Micro-Enterprise (ME) Business Training Program for Trainers
The training was done in 4 days. The table below shows the topics covered.
Day Topics Covered
Day 1 SESSION 1: ADULT EDUCATION AND FACILITATION
• Principles of Adult Education and learning styles
• Definition of facilitation
• Difference between facilitation and teaching
• Qualities of a Good Facilitator
Day 2 SESSION 2: FACILITATION SKILLS AND METHODS
• Facilitation principles
• Facilitation skills
• Facilitation practices and methods
Day 3 SESSION 3: PRESENTATION AND COMMUNICATION
• Presentation
• Communication skills
• Trainer presentation
Day 4 SESSION 4: SAVINGS GROUP TRAINING
• Membership self-selection
• Constitution development
• Recordkeeping
• Workshop feedback and evaluation
The training sessions were highly interactive with the participants being active and brainstorming on presentation strategies and ways of dealing with difficult participants.
4. Photo Highlights
Stella Murwira shows samples of the perfumes she makes during a trainer presentation session. The session was used to evaluate how the trainers had grasped the facilitation skills and methods as well as presentation skills. Feedback was given to each trainer on areas of improvement.
John Mutandwa, FICA Director gives the closing remarks at the end of the Train-The-Trainer (TTT) workshop. He encouraged the new trainers to go out and train people in the community of Murombedzi. Business training will bring out economic empowerment to the households in the community.
5. Participants’ Remarks
The participants’ remarks on the 4 days workshop are outlined below.
My name is Tebeth Masundah Mutandwa. I am an Agronomist by profession.
The training was very interesting to me as it gave me skills on how to train the community members to start income-generating projects. It gave me the zeal to become a successful entrepreneur which I never had before. I am going to start helping young women of my age to start and grow successful businesses. I will also apply what I have learned to my area of expertise which is agriculture to help others to bring the best in agriculture production.
My name is Oprah Nomagugu Ndabambi, Social Worker, Advanced Faith in Community Aiders (FICA) Coordinator.
I have gained valuable skills and knowledge in formulating and implementing income-generating projects. This training has helped me to become a critical thinker and to be creative.
I am going to utilize the skills and knowledge to train FICA community volunteers on business management as well as the women in Murombedzi. I am highly excited about this women empowerment initiative and to be part of the wonderful development that is coming to Murombedzi through FICA.
My name is Angela Mandizera, FICA Finance Manager and Entrepreneur
The interesting part of the training was the way the facilitator brought warmth and a welcoming environment into the room. It was a fulfilled learning adventure. It was life-changing in that my school of thought was sharpened.
I am going to use what I have learned by facilitating a workshop with youth in my working community. I will build other training programs from the one with the youths.
My name is Edeline Kadani, Pastor’s wife, Evangelical Church in Zimbabwe (ECZ) Murombedzi District. District Coordinator, Tsotso Stove, Entrepreneur.
This training was interesting and life-changing. Now, I have the skills and knowledge of how to facilitate a business training workshop.
I will apply and use what I have learned through having some workshops with my church members from the men’s fellowship, ladies, and youth. After that, I will proceed to train households in the community.
My name is Christopher Mpofu, Church Elder, FICA Supervisor, Home of Hope.
This training had a strong vibe to improve the power of wanting to succeed in business. The facilitator was so interesting in every area he touched.
I am going to apply all the relevant knowledge acquired from the facilitator. The information will help my business grow. I will also share my newly acquired knowledge with my neighbors who are also in business.
My name is Eddie Mutandwa, Counsellor at Kadoma Hospital, Pastor’s wife, Entrepreneur.
During the workshop, I was interested in learning about different types of learners and the characteristics of a good facilitator.
My life was changed because now I am able to record my business transactions in the cash book. I have been equipped with knowledge on how to work with groups and deal with different personalities in groups.
My name is Stella Murwira, Church Elder’s wife, Entrepreneur.
The training has changed my attitude towards training and business. There are many things that I need to change in my business. I also need to change my perception on people’s personalities and values. I have also learnt that business is all about solving customer’s problem through a change in my mindsets.
I am going to apply what I have learnt in my interaction with the church and community. I am looking forward to train and facilitate business training workshops.
6. Conclusion
The training workshop was interactive and the participants showed a lot of enthusiasm to learn. The training was a knowledge and skills transfer to the participants who have been equipped to become trainers. The trainers are expected to train other people in their churches and communities.