February News

The Sharing Education and Learning for Life (SELL) Foundation has completed the first in series of six trainings for the Yola community, Yola is the capital of Adamawa State, Nigeria. In our earlier blogs, we informed you that the target area of SELL is majorly the North- Eastern Region of Nigeria; Adamawa state, forms one of the North-Eastern states. The desire to reach out to more young people in this region of Nigeria has become more critical since in recent years most of the areas of the region have been affected by various degrees of civil disturbances. 

Before the training date, invitations were sent out to 33 people, out of which, 23 made it for the training. The training started on the 6th and ended on the 10th February 2013.

The summary for this training for Facilitators which focused on the Leadership Unit of SELL is captured below from some of the Trainees’ evaluation; 

• Some of my Insights include; Understanding team work, identification of my leadership styles, ability to value individuals opinions, necessity of sharing ideas, group discussions etc -  Pwamoreno Raymond.
• I learnt the following during the training; how to understand and respond to the need of my group, how to avoid the negative use of power and authority and how important and critical good communication is in our lives. Another useful learning that I hope stays with me is how to always remain approachable and accountable as a leader. – James Jampi.
• The SELL Programme (Training) does not need to stop at our learning set, since it is targeted towards bringing about change in the society by helping people to realize the need to be open to change, peace and seek to be effective leaders in the various systems they find themselves. - Paul Moses.
• Sharing Education and Learning for life facilitators training was educative, interesting, encouraging, motivational and stressful, stressful because nothing good comes easy. – Rejoice Peter.
• My greatest insights were how I was helped to understand the kind of leader I am with the use of animal pictures. Also it helps me know what to do as a good and effective leader. I learnt how I could live with people of different back-grounds in peace and also to develop a heart of love for other people. – Patience Martine.

To crown it all the training was successful, the new facilitators selected dates that they will share the programme with other young people in their communities.

In a similar vain on the 15th – 17th February 2013, two members of the SELL Resource Team; Leo and Maria went to Jos, Plateau State, Nigeria to work with some young people at Rantiya community. The unit of the SELL Programme that was delivered at Rantiya was the Self Awareness unit. In all, the programme recorded a total of 20 participants (5 young men and 15 ladies).

As at the time of writing this blog, Moses and Jonathan, both members of the SELL Resource team are doing training for Facilitators for the Maiduguri community Team. The Peace Building Training which Started on the 20th will end on the 24th February 2013. We wish them all the best as they continue and journey mercies back upon their return.

St. Patrick’s Missionary Society (SPMS) has been very supportive of the SELL Foundation both in moral and financial aspects. It will be good to mention that the originators of the SELL Programme are members of the SPMS (Leo, Tommy and Noel), of course they are still resourceful members of the SELL Foundation bringing in their wisdom and creativity to help in shaping the programme for the formation of young people in our contemporary world. It was for this reason that a member of the SPMS Leadership team Fr. Tom O’Connor, when he came from Ireland to visit their members serving in Nigeria, had in his schedule a visit to the SELL Foundation and the Youth Formation Centre Team. Tom came to our office on Tuesday 19th February 2013. During his visit, we shared with him the vision of the Foundation an overview of the SELL Programme and also presented to him the Foundations timeline. Tom was impressed with us for the magnitude of work we are doing, this was expressed in his body language when he saw our impact map of all the areas that the foundation has taken her programme to. He encouraged us and assured us of his support and continuous prayers.

In a different story, a member of the Kumasi SELL Team, former Miss Mary Efua is now Mrs Mary Takyi. The Wedding between Mary and Takyi took place on the 10th February 2013 in Kumasi Ghana. The SELL Family wishes the couple bliss in their marital life.

A report came to us last week from the Abuja SELL Team, Abuja is the Capital of Nigeria. The team Leader JohnMaria said they held a meeting to plan for their workshops and other SELL Activites in 2013. In all, 7 Team members came for the meeting, they also used the opportunity to refresh themselves in a relaxed atmosphere where they ate and drank together. 

UPCOMING PROGRAMMES 

Three SELL workshops are took place this past weekend 22nd – 23rd February 2013;

• The Leadership unit will be shared with Deanery executives of our lady queen of peace deanery in the Catholic Diocese of Jalingo. The facilitators for the programme are two members of the Jalingo SELL Area Team Freda and Victor.
• Mary and Hilary both members of the Youth Formation Centre Team, with the support of the SELL Team in Tafawa Balewa, Bauchi State Nigeria, will be Delivering the Justice unit of SELL to some youths in Tafawa Balewa axis.
• Still in Bauchi, Isaac and Maria will lead an interactive forum with the Nigerian Christian Corps Fellowship, Bauchi Branch. The Focus of the workshop will be the Leadership unit of SELL.

Reports of these three programmes and other stories shall be brought to you next week.

Stay Blessed!




Maria Dagogot,

Communication Team Member, SELL Foundation.