74 Day 3 . The good helper revisited
TO THE TRAINER
PART II : THE TRAINING
Day 3 . The good helper revisited
Aim : To explore further the qualities of a good helper .
Start the day by doing a grounding exercise .
GROUNDING EXERCISE
Grounding Exercise 3 . Progressive release of muscular tension .
When you become anxious , your body tenses . This can lead to symptoms of pain in the shoulders , neck or back , in your jaw or your arms and legs . To train yourself to progressively release tension , intentionally increase the tension in specific muscular groups , then relax those muscles .
This grounding exercise is very useful to helpers who need to release the tension that has accumulated in their own bodies during a long working day !
TEACHING INSTRUCTION . CHARACTERISTICS OF THE GOOD HELPER IN HER CONTEXT .
This discussion complements the one on pages 34-35 . It can be shortened if you judge that the participants already have a good understanding of the helper ’ s role .
Remind the participants of the good qualities of a helper . Then show Figure 6 : The qualities of a good helper ( II ). This image was shared by counsellors working in the Democratic Republic of the Congo .
Point out her different qualities . Starting with the heart , draw each element , one by one , and describe them to the group . Invite the participants to contribute . When you do , make sure that they include qualities and skills that they have been made aware of during the training . Expand on the original drawing .
It is important to show the helper ’ s importance . She is a person who is safe and wise . What she does and how she behaves matter equally .
Figure 6 . The qualities of a good helper ( II ).