International Volunteer Leader’s Training ISLETLC03 Aug -Sep 2010 (YEP approved cse)

The most recent course we had was a ball. Here are some observations that were useful:
All were peer leaders with about 40% having been YEP team members in the past (from both YEP teams and non-YEP teams). Some of the trainees were very experienced leaders of other activities, with facilitation skills. Because they needed to attend the course, there was an initial sense of “do I really need to attend ANOTHER leadership course”? But after Day 1, it kinda clicked – with “Hey! this is different… never attended a course like this before!”.

I’m glad we could inspire leadership style versatility. Well, given the reality of the compressed time of a short course like this, whatever we can share is probably only the tip of an iceberg in the world of IV. That’s why the IVA has a Breakfast with a Soul series and the Teh Tarik and Kopi Kaki sessions to supplement the learning sessions.

The sharing was very open. In our “Networking with Seasoned IV Leaders’ session, we had two very engaging and experienced leaders visit us. Ms Elsie Wong and Mr Goh Ann Tat. Elsie is an old friend … oops, Freudian slip … sorry, Elsie … I meant young friend, who was involved in 4 marine survey projects in Sabah, Cambodia, Thailand, and Timor Leste. Ann Tat has a tremendous background from Raleigh , YEP, and RIEL. They both shared gems of experiences particularly in the areas of partnership and host engagement. Thanks, Elsie and Ann Tat! We really appreciate your time with us!

Dinner was full-on enjoyment. There were lots to learn from cooking together. Creativity, resourcefulness, teamwork, fun, and some team-building tips can be brought to life at dinner time. We had a great time at dinner. No wastage too. We also had super fresh towgay offered by Uncle Douya Lee. So fresh – right from his farm. (here’s the secret of the location being given away if you are in the market produce business)

We don’t have to say how much more we appreciated each other after Saturday Night’s Live .. I mean, Life Journey. Team leaders got to know each other even more; gaining more trust for each other. Now that was time well spent! As one expeditioneer later shared – after life journey, we got to know each other so well that instead of sleeping, we spent time eating together with our Muslim friends before the Puasa time starts. Time with each other became more important than time resting. That’s teammate-ship!

I must say, I thought the mozzie condition would be bad, but no! We didn’t need the mozzie nets at all.

The team felt that the Practical RAMS session was refreshing – especially since we’ve been cooped up in the kampong the whole third day and the morning storm on Sunday kept us in even longer. When the rain fizzled out into a tinkle, we jumped up into the truck and meandered to a coastal walk where there was a warning of estuarine ___________. I’ll leave you readers guessing. It can pose a severe risk to solo unwary travelers! However low the probability might be!

It’s late now, I’ve got to go. Thanks again to the expeditioneers who shared the lives with me! We wish you the very best in this admirable role you have taken up – to lead 20+ lives in a personally transformational experience!

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