Idman's Journey: from Youth Leader to Community Discussion Leader

Education

Idman is a 24-year-old youth leader from Balcad District in the southcentral Somali region of Middle Shabelle. As early as adolescence, has been actively involved in spearheading community-led initiatives such as sanitation and hygiene as well as community sensitization activities and events in her district. Her passion and involvement in community service through the years alongside her talented behavior, caught the attention of SoS Children who recruited her as a Community Discussion Leader (CDL) for the Community-care Scale program in Balcad.

"I've never thought my actions could have had such a positive and widespread impact on my community, but after completing the Community Care Program training, I feel confident and capable of facilitating group discussions even on sensitive topics such as sexual violence and social norms. The training sessions were extremely helpful in equipping me with the necessary skills and confidence to create a safe and non-judgmental space for survivors of sexual violence, whose need is common not only in Balcad District but in many other parts of the region" shares Idman. 

During the training, Idman gained more and new knowledge about the different types of sexual violence and the harmful consequences that this phenomenon entails, likewise, she developed useful skills on community responses to this type of phenomenon and the problems that follow. She learned and personally experienced the importance of establishing group agreement and managing conflict during discussions. This helped her to create a solid trust relationship and a safe and supportive environment for the participants. 

Idman's practical experience in facilitating group discussions has enabled her to apply the knowledge and skills she has gained and to receive constructive feedback from her colleagues and mentors. She now has a better understanding of the four stages of group development and the role of power relations in group dynamics. Through this training, Idman has also gained greater competence and personal appreciation in the dissemination and understanding of the universal values of dignity, fairness, and justice and for their relationship to the Community Care Program's community discussion process.

Similarly, the training period enabled Idman to identify and understand more clearly possible barriers to participation in dialogue groups. The dialogue and sharing of experiences during the training highlighted the role of cultural norms and beliefs in the reiteration of harmful social practices and provided her with new approaches and solutions to address these challenges. She learned how to deal more effectively with these sensitive issues by always using cultural sensitivity and awareness, helping her to build a solid relationship of trust with participants and facilitate discussions that can lead to meaningful results in countering violence practices.

"The facilitator was outstanding in creating a shared space that was perceived as safe and was valuable support for discussing sensitive topics. His approach was interactive and engaging, making the learning process enjoyable and memorable. I was particularly impressed with her knowledge and expertise on the subject, as she was able to answer all of our questions and provide us with additional resources to deepen our understanding of the topic" concluded Idman in appreciation of the facilitator.

 

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