PLB Photograph Gallery

Recently I spent a wonderful weekend at the World Scout Centre in Kandersberg, Switzerland. I worked with people from the Geneva HQ and from the bureaus in Nairobi and Europe. The group created a framework that would be practical and accessible for all Scouting projects. Through a series of activities, exercises the participants identified the key components of successful project planning and management and then created guidelines or steps critical to implementation. It was a high energy, high engagement workshop. Perhaps the mountains and scenery were inspirational; it was a really enjoyable and successful event.

We created a tailored Designing and Delivering Effective Learning Programmes for subject matter experts at WHO.Who said technical people don't have fun. The participants included specialists in HIV, Influenza, Biosafety, Tobacco use reduction, Violence, Epidemiology ... The success of the programmme led to a major training of trainers for the implementation of a new ERP system

I just finished a great week with a group of UNAIDS staff from around the world who have been designated 'learning coordinators'. The purpose of the training was to introduce them to the core principles and theories of adult learning and to teach them the fundamentals of facilitation to help them better perform their jobs. Normally these are two separate week long programmes, but were able to dovetail the key elements into this very past paced event. We included a day for one on one coaching and two full days of practice sessions where individuals got to practice using some of the methods and tools we had explored. What an energetic and innovative group. The reason I love running these kinds of workshops is that I learn so much from the people in the. Thank you all, and keep learning:)

We designed a one day workshop for 88 assistants at the Global Fund To fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria. We started with a plenary session to build community and shared commitment to learning. People had the choice of pre registering for one of 4 mini workshop morning and afternoon before reconvening in plenary to share the days insights and take aways.The whole event was superbly cäptured in posters by a graphic artist.

Pamela is currently working on a joint project with WHO Geneva, Switzerland, The National Sandia Labs, Albuquerque, USA and the Public Health Agency, Winnipeg, Canada to design and deliver an advanced trainer programme intended to improve biorisk management in laboratories around the world handling dangerous materials and pathogens. The project is proving to be a joy of best practice experiences and a brilliant example of how serious subject matter training doesn't have to be boring.

This is one of our core workshops this time being delivered at the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies. After 2 days of exploring the principles, beliefs and theories underpinning brain friendly, adult learning  participants spend two practical days where they demonstrate their own sessions on colleagues. It's always huge fun and a massive learning experience for everyone including the course leaders.

In November Pamela ran a pro bono day with 30 women from Kibera the huge slum of more than 1 million people in Nairobi. The day was designed to improve the women's effectiveness in managing their micro financing projects provided through the Jim Karaffa Business Academy for women -a collaborative effort between Edel Quinn Odongo from Kenya, the Office of Student Affairs at Notre Dame University(USA), the Student International Business Council (SIBC) at the University of Notre Dame(USA) and the Holy Cross Congregation(Catholic priests). These women truly were an inspiration to me. They live in one of the world's poorest and least supported places on earth, many of them have family members who are HIV positive or living with AIDS and they show such dignity and hope. The most moving part of the day was the statement from Liliana who said, "I live in Kibera, but Kibera doesn't live in me". Some of the financing loans are as little as 50 Kenyan shillings - less than $1. If you would like to support this project contact Edel at quinnedel64@yahoo.com or through our details.