An important part of Amigos’ work in rural communities is the broad range of training delivered in the community farming groups. This includes conservation farming, business, conflict resolution, child protection, parental care and WaSH (water, sanitation and hygiene).
One vital part of the training offered is focused on growth mindset. This is taught by Joseph, Amigos’ family sponsorship coordinator. He describes it as training that helps those who attend to find freedom and move forward in their lives.
The training has four important purposes:
- It encourages those who attend to start thinking positively for themselves.
- It gives those who participate an ability to start seeing possibilities around them
- It changes mindsets from dependency to dignity
- It increases attendees understanding of their God-given responsibility to make a difference in their lives and in the lives of those around them.
He describes it as a “no miss training”, helping the participants to “redraw their maps for a more empowering journey.”
The training touches on important topics such as positive change, our identity in God, choosing to move into a more positive future and asks ‘What is in your hands’? Often participants will think they have nothing, but with prompting and support will discover the amazing and unique resources they have.
Many people who attend the training are a point of deep hurt. But, to Joseph, the therapeutic approach of the training “nourishes both the mind and heart”, bringing fresh vision and energy for participants to start seeing their potential and possibility.
The team have had the privilege to see many strengthened by the training, families healed and marriages reunited. Joseph tells us of the great many testimonies he hears in post mindset training sessions.
Emoru from Masindi shared with us that the training made a huge difference in his life. Two years prior to the training, he and his wife had divorced. Being a farming group leader in his community, he attended the Amigos growth mindset training. It had such an impact on him that he decided to re-invest in his relationship with his former wife. Joseph was able to act as a mediator for them as Emoru began to win back his wife and together, build a stronger relationship. “Today they are living as husband and wife and they are very happy”, Joseph tells us.
Amigos is committed to walking alongside people and supporting them holistically to see them reach their full potential. Growth mindset training is a crucial part of our vision and we are so grateful to the team who outwork this with such wisdom and commitment.