Once the Christmas break came to an end, the SELL Resource team swung into action for the new year. The first major work to prepare for was the second training on the Leadership Unit. Many of the Trainees from the first training had followed up with successful step-down workshops in their local communities and were anxious to come back for further training. They were to be joined by a number of new people. The hope, once again, was to have representatives from all parishes of the Catholic diocese of Mzuzu, as well as those from some other church communities.

Preparation for the Training

The team prepared kits for the training and made sure they were checked and laminated. New manuals and files for trainees were packed for the team to carry. Using the Facilitators Guide for the training, the Team shared out the roles for the training, so that each one could do their own preparation work. Contact was made with all the trainees from the different communities informing them about the dates for the training, time of arrival and also making sure of their availability. Trainees whose numbers were not reachable were contacted through their colleagues in their communities. Once contact was established, the trainees were able to make known any logistical challenges that had arisen. Having solved most of these, the majority of trainees were able to confirm that they would be able to attend.

Meeting with the Youth Chaplains of Mzuzu Diocese.
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As SELL works hand in hand with the Diocesan Youth Chaplain of Mzuzu, the Resource Team was invited to attend the youth chaplains meeting on the 26th of January 2023 at the Diocesan Pastoral Centre, Nkhatabay. Leo and Isaac took part in this meeting, where they also had an opportunity to present an overview of the Programme and to communicate to all in attendance the successes and challenges the programme encountered last year.

​Figure 1 SELL presentation at the youth chaplains meeting

The Training
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On the evening of the same day – and at the same venue - 41 participants arrived to take part. From 4 pm onwards they were registered, given their accommodation and immediately began the programme. The bishop of Mzuzu Diocese, John Ryan, was a visitor to the training and he shared words of encouragement with the participants. Both they and the Team, were very happy to see him, as his visit showed how the Programme has the backing of the diocese.

Fr Benjamin Banda, Mzuzu Diocesan youth chaplain, also visited the training venue to show solidarity with the Programme and the Team. The participants were very happy also with his presence, his support and his challenge to the young adults of the diocese to take the training seriously and to be willing to give generously of their time and energy so that the Programme should be a success.
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During the training all new participants received their individual copy of the SELL Manual for Facilitators and on the 28th of January, each team of trainees was given a kit containing the materials needed to facilitate the workshop on leadership. They were also given the SELL program calendar containing dates for step down workshops in their communities. The training programme ended with a Eucharist on Sunday, January 29.

Figure 2 participants pose for a picture with bishop Ryan

Figure 3 Figure 2 some of the participants with the appreciation banner

​The SELL Resource team alongside SELL volunteers in Jalingo on Tuesday 31st January, 2023 paid an advocacy visit to Taraba State Task Force Against Human Trafficking,  Network of Civil Society Organization Against Child Trafficking, abused and labour  (NACTAL), National Agency for Prohibition of Trafficking Against Persons and other related matters (NAPTIP), 100 Women Lobby Group in Jalingo, Taraba State.
The aim of the visit is to seek areas of collaborations with the above named Organization on the areas of Safeguarding and Protection, Violence Against Person’s Prohibition and other related issues.

​Speaking during the visit, Barrister Ifeoma Ohanyido A. State Coordinator 100 Women Lobby Group spoke extensively on the current situation in Jalingo as regard to the policies on Child Protection and Violence Against Persons Prohibition. Ifeoma made it clear to the team that the laws have been passed; however, implementation still remains a concern. She added that laws cannot function if structures are not put in place for effective implementation.    
Mr. Kennedy Maza the State Commander NAPTIP, commend SELL for the visit to their state office and stated that NAPTIP is doing everything possible to have an umbrella body that will help in the supervision of laws and policies in Taraba State, he reiterated that NAPTIP will be willing to collaborate with SELL Foundation to achieve the set common goals.
On his part, Mr. Babe Celestine NACTAL State Coordinator also appreciated the SELL team for the visit and stated that NAPTIP and NACTAL are working together to see to the implementation of Child Rights law and Violence Against Persons Prohibition laws in the State. He called on SELL Foundation to partner with NACTAL/NAPTIP across their project areas.
Similarly, the team visited the Permanent Secretary Ministry of the Social Welfare department in Jalingo, Taraba State.

The Sharing Education and Learning for Life Foundation Nigeria, on Wednesday 1st February, 2023 conducted a review and analysis on the present situation as regard to the laws on Child Safeguarding and Violence Against Persons Prohibition.
The review was to check with the SELL team, groups and relevant institutions on the progress of the laws and policies in Taraba State and strategize on the way forward.

​ Similarly, on the 2nd of February, 2023 the team trained selected Women of Mayo Dasa Jalingo and SELL Volunteers on the production of briquette as a means of alternative source of cooking and economic empowerment.
The training aimed at empowering the Women and SELL volunteers with the skills on alternative cooking energy and means of livelihood.
The training/review which took place at two different locations, Mayo Dasa and Catholic Pastoral Centre, Mile Six Jalingo brought together participants from different religious groups, institutions and agencies.

​As a way of empowering SELL volunteers and promoting care for the environment, SELL Foundation Nigeria through the support of its donors supported selected SELL volunteers with pairs of livestock (Goats) as a means of helping to improve their livelihood opportunities.

Correspondingly, in line with our efforts to maintain a safe environment for all, SELL distributed some economic trees, waste bins and solar lamps to selected SELL beneficiaries, Institutions, religious/traditional bodies in Jalingo, Taraba State.
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