Capacity Building Program 2013 - An article from Ulot Watershed Model Forest newsletter

As most of our followers, friends and partners know, Gifts and Graces held this April-May its first Capacity building program. Enclosed you will find the newsletter article from our partner and participant, the Ulot Watershed Model Forest. We hope you will enjoy reading it as much as we enjoyed participating in this. Do not hesitate to comment, share your ideas at the end.

In order to achieve its goals, Gifts and Graces Fair Trade Foundation Inc. (G&G), with thanks to its partners: Globe Bridgecom  and  Accenture/PinoyME,  decided  to  start  a trainer’s  training program  for its  partner communities. The goal: to equip trainers from within G&G’s network with the knowledge, skills,  and attitude to conduct fair trade audits and enterprise management training to their communities. This was finally realized 10 April to 3 May 2013, when G&G held its first one-month trainer’s training program in Manila.

The first week was held at the Asian Social Institute (ASI) and involved an introduction of the participants,  which included Ms. Elaine Springgay as a representative of the Ulot Watershed Model Forest (UWMF), and the concepts and principles of social enterprise. Facilitated by the Philippines Social Enterprise  Network (PhilSEN), the participants learned how to use the Social Enterprise Quality Index tools  developed by PhilSEN, which are tools for doing well (economic) and doing good (social and  environmental). Although the two days involved intense learning, it was also interspersed by fun games and practical exercises. 

Our studious participants during the first session with PhilSEN

On Saturday, 14 April 2013, Mr. Danny Miralles, the President of the Ulot Watershed Model Forest Stakeholders Federation (UWMFSF), was able to join the other participants in time for a G&G organized field trip to Robinsons Ermita in Manila and South Mall in Las Pinas, where G&G had a special exhibit to celebrate women’s month. The purpose of the trip was to have a look at G&G’s displays, become aware of what other organizations are doing, and to find some inspiration. Mr. Miralles was stunned by quality of the products, especially those made of bariw; he asked, “Can we really compete with these products?” It’s a valid question, but Ms. Springgay has no doubt that with a commitment to NTFPs and a lot of effort, then not only can Ulot’s products compete, they can outshine the competition. 

Yes, they are working! ;)

By the second week, it was time to get to the heart of the matter: “Generate Your Business Idea” and “Start Your Business” trainings, also facilitated by PhilSEN. This whole-week session involved 3 days of lectures, including tips on how to train others, and then two days of facilitation practice. The lectures included topics such as business models, developing a business plan, strengths and weaknesses of a business idea, opportunities and threats and bookkeeping. In other words: the essential points of establishing a healthy and flourishing business. 

As said earlier, this was trainer’s training; therefore, the goal was to make the participants able to train people in their own community on what they learned. So, after 3 days in class it was time to be the facilitators. On Thursday, 18 April 2013 all the participants went to G&G’s partner FCED in Paco, Manila, where 20 members were patiently waiting for their newly trained trainers. Over two days, the participants shared with the women what they had the chance to learn earlier. Although some were apprehensive about facilitating for the first time, the new trainers were happy to transmit their newly gained knowledge. Two days of sharing, learning, seriousness and fun, equaled two very successful days. 

The newly promoted trainers and their trainees of the day

On Saturday, everyone returned to ASI, where Globe Bridgecom volunteers provided training in basic IT tools: the Internet, email, and MS Office. But that wasn’t even the best part. All  the participant communities received a notebook and got cake to celebrate a participant’s birthday! Now that is what we call ‘getting cake and eating it too!’ 

Congrats! ;)

Part of the Globe volunteers

The third week started with everyone transferring to DTI’s Cottage Industry Training Center in Marikina City for skills training. Two trainings were offered: bamboo weaving, and leather sewing; UWMFSF‘s very own Danny Miralles from San Isidro, Paranas and Mario Moscosa from San Rafael, Hinabangan participated in the bamboo weaving where they learned new materials, new skills, and new opportunities.  “We have lots of bamboo, so it is nice to learn how to properly prepare the materials and apply our weaving skills to new products,” explained Mr. Moscosa. 

With introductions and orientations taking up the first day, there were only 4 days to learn how to process the materials and produce final products. It was a very busy and  labor-intensive week: preparing the strips  of bamboo, weaving the materials and perfecting a technique. But, by the end of the week projects took shape, participants still had smiles on their faces, and some of them were already imagining new creations. 

Starts looking like a basket

Our leather team

Despite a very busy week, there was still work to do. On Saturday 27 April, the participants returned to ASI to learn from members of the Advocates for Philippines Fair Trade Inc (APFTI) about fair trade. Why was this session important? Even though G&G’s partners are expected to follow as many fair trade principles as possible, this does not mean they are aware of what these principles are. Moreover, as trainers, participants are expected to spread fair trade principles to their own community and beyond. Work hard. Play harder. After a long and highly productive week, the participants were treated to a day exploring Manila. From Intramuros, where they visited the Casa Manila – a museum depicting Spanish colonial life – to Makati where they toured the Ayala museum and admired its impressive collections. 

The final week focused on product finishing. Thanks to DTI’s Product Development and Design Center of the Philippines (PDDCP), different modules were offered to the participants, including natural material dying, gifts and houseware finishing, and furniture finishing. Ms. Springgay shared, “It was like art class! The techniques were fascinating, but one of our challenges to adopt such finishes is access to supplies. However, an objective for UWMF is to gain access to natural dyes in order to protect the environment and the producers – chemical dyes are so toxic.” Even on 1 May, a holiday, G&G organized a product clinic with their in-house designer, sharing trends and critiques on how to improve products. It was an excellent introduction for UWMFSF members to the expectations G&G has regarding products. 

Part of the team

At work 

With bags under eyes, big smiles on faces, and half a dozen certificates rewarding hard work – including UWMF’s newly certified facilitators Mr. Miralles and Ms. Springgay – everyone celebrated their achievements at a final dinner. It was an intense month. Everyone gained a lot: new skills, new knowledge and, most importantly, new friends.  

It is now time to pay forward  lessons  learned. For the UWMF, there will be a serie of trainings facilitated by Mr. Danilo Miralles, starting July 2013 with a trainer’s training for the Ulot youth, and followed by training to enterprise-engaged POs. 

By Elaine Springgay (ULOT) & Jeremy Callegher (G&G)

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