118 Taking what has been learned into the participants ’ future work
TO THE TRAINER
PART II : THE TRAINING
Taking what has been learned into the participants ’ future work
Aim . To encourage the participants to think about the work that awaits them at home , and how they can retain the skills they have learned and shared during the workshop .
The training workshop is now at an end . Summarise what the participants have learned from the story of the Butterfly Woman and the terrible events that occurred to her .
Emphasise that a major challenge for the participants will be to make sure that they remember and apply the stories and discussions they have shared , and also remember to implement the human rights-based approach in their work . Underline that the exercises and techniques they have learned must be practised , after they return to the communities in which they work .
Emphasise these guiding precepts :
I . Basic principles
• Say that you want to give support .
• Show respect .
• Ask for permission to sit down together .
• Balance distance and closeness .
• Give the survivor time to take you in .
• Do not ask a lot of questions .
• Let the survivor understand that she can talk or she can be silent .
• Remind her that she is in command of her own story .
II . Every case and every survivor is unique
Emphasise that a helper must think for herself and always use her own imagination and judgement when she decides what stories to tell , what advice to give , and what grounding exercises to use . Helpers cannot apply what they learn by numbers . There are no short cuts .
At the same time , it is always relevant to ask certain questions . What resources can the survivor draw on , in herself and in others ? Do I understand her situation sufficiently ? Am I in a sound position to advise her ? If I ask her to trust me , am I in a position to sustain that trust ?
As a helper , am I promising too much ? Can I sustain the help that I am offering ?
TEACHING INSTRUCTION .
In your concluding comments , thank all the participants for the contributions they have made , wish them well in their work , and urge them to stay in touch with one another . Remind them that they can get further support and information from HHRI and HHRI ’ s website .
If possible , end the training with a small ceremony , some good words , photographs , and the award of certificates .