Sondelani training events 2009
This year we planned our training events for SEED churches in a different – and we believe, much better – way.
– We had two events, in March and June, combining similar topics in each event.
– We also changed the timing of the events, so that we could maximize the time we had with our valued SEED partners – our events started on the Monday evening and ended with a communion service on the Thursday evening.
– We held the June event in KwaZulu-Natal and included a visit to one of the SEED church projects.
Sondelani March 2009: Community Development
This event was held at Eikenhof Conference Centre in southern Johannesburg – a quiet, farm-like setting that enables you to relax and focus on the task at hand.
Sondelani – March 2009As an introductory session, we passed on training we had received on Rick Warren’s SHAPE concept, which we adapted to make it very creative and personal. This was a good starting point as it enabled everyone to disengage from their hectic work schedules and focus on themselves for a change.
During the main training programme, we covered how to work effectively and sensitively in communities and how to get community members actively involved in their own development. This was great fun as it involved working outside making a “community map” using whatever was available……..
Sondelani community mappingand also “playing house” as a way of building a strong community based organisation!
Playing house…Some feedback comments from participants:
– I now know that I can assist but must find out what the community wants and lead them to become the leaders
– I’ve been challenged to think how I approach my community
– Much better understanding on what I need to do to help the community
Sondelani June 2009: Project Management, Fundraising & Sustainability
This event was held at Jacob’s Well in Botha’s Hill, overlooking the Valley of A Thousand Hills near Durban.
Valley of a Thousand HillsWe thought that we would head towards the coast for some warmer weather during this winter season, but we were surprised by a snow storm on the way down in the bus!
Despite the cold start, we had a very productive few days focusing on Project Management, Fundraising and Sustainability. We also started with one session that was slightly different – learning to listen, to each other, to God and to ourselves. Again this was training that we had benefitted from earlier, by Daniel Oh of Safe Harbour Ministries, Colorado, Springs, USA.
The participants also enjoyed an introduction to leadership from a John Maxwell CD – and the general feedback was that they need more of that!
On the Tuesday afternoon we visited the Aftercare programme initiated by Westville Baptist church at Addington Primary School in Durban. This programme is vital for helping the many children from other African countries to cope with a school curriculum in English, as well as South African children from vulnerable and disadvantaged home situations.
Because Addington is very close to Durban’s beachfront, we could not return to the training venue without dipping our toes into the sea – especially as Pastor Thomas from Soweto had never been to the sea before!
Pastor Thomas at the seaBack at the venue, we got busy learning about groups and group dynamics, as well as how to do fundraising and initiate sustainable programmes in communities. One of the things that our church partners have little time for in the field is stopping to look back at how well they are doing…. We always make sure during Sondelani events to take time out to praise our partners for the amazing courage, tenacity and grace with which they serve others – and together we all give God the glory for His strength and faithfulness that keeps us going in this ministry.
A fun activity is making a crown to acclaim the talents God gave each of us to do His work on earth.
The Crown fun activity