TOY - Trainers Online for Youth
This is a reference for Leilani van Rheenen
The aims of the EVS mid-term training is to:
- Give volunteers information and resources on what opportunities are available to them after EVS, and the chance to reflect on what steps they want to take
- Support volunteers in the process of learning communication skills and dealing with crisis and conflicts in their project
- To reflect on their learning process within EVS and to set learning goals for the time that still remains
- To reflect on and exchange their experiences as EVS volunteers in Turkey
Trainers were from Turkey and the Netherlands. Participants were from Portugal, Spain, Italy and various other EU countries as well as Chile, Mexico, USA and Tunisia.
The methods used were discussion in small and large groups, individual and group reflection, mind games and energizers.
When evaluating the training many volunteers mentioned how their motivation had increased, their awareness of what they had learned so far in their project, their understanding of what they personally can do to get the most out of their EVS, their awareness of how to deal with (or in some cases not deal with) the conflict situations that they're experiencing, their awareness of the possibilities that await for them in the future and how to find their path.
Both trainers were fully involved in designing and implementing the training. The sessions I focused on were EVS thermometer (evaluation of different elements in their project), communication and conflict, opportunities after EVS and action plan, learning reflection and discussion, evaluation.