Development Exchange Center (DEC-Nepal) organized a four days Training of Trainer (ToT) program

Development Exchange Center (DEC-Nepal) organized a four days Training of Trainer (ToT) program from April 25-28, 2015 in SAPDEC Sauraha, Chitwan in financial assistance from United Nation Development Fund (UNDEF), USA in collaboration with National Chepang Association of Nepal and South Asia Partnership (SAP) Nepal (SAP).

Altogether 21 participants from 6 Chepang dominant VDCs of Chitwan district- Siddhi, Korak, Kaule, Chandibhanjyang, Shaktikhor and Lothar- attended the training. All the resource persons and facilitators for the training were from SAP Nepal and DEC Nepal except for a guest speaker from a District Development Committee.

Despite of the earthquake all sessions of the training program was held smoothly. The organizers consulted with the National Chepang Association, participants as well as some of the family members of the affected areas regarding the continuation of the training in this havoc situation. It was very encouraging to find that the family members of these women provided full support and motivated us to continue this process of strengthening leadership of these women members for enabling them to act as change agents.

The objectives of the training were five-fold: 1. To enhance leadership skills of selected Chepang women facilitators for social mobilization; 2. To enhance knowledge and skills of Chepang women to participate in various dimensions of Local Self Governance; 3. To increase participation of Chepang women in local planning and implementation process; 4. To Increase regular communication and coordination between Chepang women and Local Government; 5. To increase accountability among stakeholders and service receivers for promotion of local good governance.

On the opening day District Development Committee Representative, District Women and Child Development Official, VDC Secretaries and media personnel were present in the inauguration session of the training along with resource persons and facilitators.

The four day training program was focused on five themes: 1. Women Leadership and Gender Equality 2. Good Governance and Development 3. Social Accountability 4. Social Mobilization 5. Plans and Policies of Government

Management part was seen strong in this training program, a separate caretaker was provided to look after individual infants. This helped mothers of infants concentrate on the training. The training program focused more on participatory approach with lots of group work, role play and interactions. Most of the participants were active and showed maximum involvement throughout the training. At the end of the program

the participants were distributed Participation Certificate with commitment to share their learning in their respective community. Before separating participants and trainers sang group songs, committing to work together and help each other to empower the community.