MY EXPERIENCES IN MALABO IN THE EQUATORIAL GUINEA DURING THE AU-YVC PRE-DEPLOYMENT TRAINING FROM 14TH JUNE TO 3RD JULY 2011

MALABO JUNE 2011: REPORT
AU-YVC PRE- DEPLOYMENT TRAINING

This is a report on my experiences in Malabo, the Equatorial Guinea during the African Union Youth Volunteer Corps (AU-YVC) pre-deployment training held between the 14th June and 3rd July 2011.

EDDIE OMBAGI - KENYA
Tel: +254 723 900 954
Email: ombagimatwere@rocketmail.com
O4th July, 2011


This is a report on my experiences in Malabo, the Equatorial Guinea during the African Union Youth Volunteer Corps (AU-YVC) pre-deployment training held between the 14th June and 3rd July 2011.
14th June 2011.
I arrived at the airport at 0645hrs and checked in. At the boarding area I met the other team who were going for the African Union Youth Volunteer Corps (AU-YVC) pre-deployment training in Malabo. We got into the plane and at exactly 0845hrs, our plane took off.
We landed at the Aeropuerto de Malabo (Malabo Airport) at 1230hrs local time (1030hrs Malabo time.)
We got delayed at the airport for about two hours while we waited for the African Union team to come and pick us because since we did not have visas. Emmanuel from the Equato-Guinean government and Chimene Astrid from the AU-YVC arrived and apologized for the delay. They handled the immigration issue and later we got into the bus and left for our hotel.
The hotel was situated in the heart of the city within the national stadium. The stadium is a work of art newly built for the coming Africa Cup of Nations that would be hosted in the country.
We met other Youth Volunteers from all over the continent. Later we were taken to the Centro Cultura de Guineano (Guinea Cultural Center) where our training would be held and where we would be having our meals.
That night it was a familiarization night and we mingled freely, introducing each other, sharing our fight experiences and looking forward to the training that would eventually lead to our being deployed.
15th June 2011.
We woke up in the morning and travelled to the Cultural Center for breakfast. We interacted further with new volunteers who kept on arriving any minute.
The facilitators were on the way coming so the training had not already started. Further the president of Equatorial Guinea was meant to open the training officially and therefore we had to wait.
But not time was wasted. We indulged in team building exercises that saw bonds being created while the walls of fears were brought down.
16th June 2011.
More team building exercises were performed in order to achieve the objective of the training. To expose ourselves and build trust and confidence in each other.
In the night we were provided with t-shirts and caps that would distinguish us as youth volunteers.
17th June 2011.
The training was officially opened by the president of Equatorial Guinea H.E Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo and the Director of the Human Resource and Science and Technology Madam Vera Brenda Ngosi.
The president insisted on the need of the volunteers to ensure that they devote their time to serving the community. He proposed that the headquarters of the AU-YVC be in Malabo.
On her part, the director impressed upon us to cultivate good moral behavior and that we should realize that having attended the training we are at privileged for we have the chance and opportunity to impact the continent positively.
18th June 2011
Our first session, we started by formulating the rules that would govern us during the training. Our first exercise was to split into our different countries and write down what we are famous for, the stereotypes and our lifestyles. We were supposed to present it before the rest of the team when we assembled.
In the afternoon, we were taught on Value and Values System and why it is important to have one. The facilitator explained that the value system will determine our behavior and attitudes and gave us examples of famous people like Bill Gates, Barrack Obama, Wangari Maathai and Adolf Hitler.
We finished the session well into 1900hrs. Everyone was tired and fatigued.
19th June 2011
We were oriented on the African Union (AU), the African Union Commission (AUC) and the AUYVC. The day was pretty busy and the facilitators ensured that we gain enough.
20th June 2011
Today the topic was on Information Gathering and Report Writing Skills. We were taught on how to gather information and how to write effective reports.
Later we were given assignments to do.
In the evening, there was a session on Team Building whose objective was to make us open up to each other and trust each other.


21st June 2011
Today we had a debate. We were split into three groups according to our languages. The topic of the debate was whether African youth are ready to volunteer.
At the end of the debate it was realized that African youth may not be ready to volunteer because they do not have enough information.
In the afternoon we were tasked to write an academic paper on chosen topics.
The day ended well.

22nd June 2011
After the daily briefings, we were oriented on the topic of Leadership Skills. We were taught the different types of power and leadership. We were oriented on the need to apply the different types of power in order to achieve a stated objective.
In the evening we performed a team building exercise on the SWOT analysis. We got into groups and brainstormed on our strengths and weaknesses. We managed to eliminate the stereotypes we had of each other.
23rd June 2011
Today the topic was Professional Competency. The facilitators impressed on us the need to be competent professionally
24th June 2011
After breakfast and the daily briefings the facilitators taught us Professional Competency. This was designed to make become professionals in all that we did. We were taught how to make effective pitches, write CVs and answer questions during interviews.
25th June 2011
We had mock interviews during the morning after breakfast. The objective was to introduce us to the professional world where we needed to prepare CVs and answer questions professionally.
In the afternoon, we went to swim at the Atlantic Ocean. The beach was beautiful and we enjoyed a lot. I was privileged to swim at the Atlantic Ocean.
We came back pretty late at around 2100hrs and we went for dinner. Later we went back to sleep.
26th June 2011
After breakfast and being a Sunday we did not do much. We played football, basketball and some went swimming.
The day ended well and it was a well deserved break.
27th June 2011
After breakfast and daily briefings, we taught Facilitation Skills. The difference between a facilitator and a teacher was highlighted and we were impressed to be facilitators.
In the afternoon, more team building exercises were performed.
28th June 2011
After breakfast and the daily briefings we attended a session on Project Management. We were oriented on how to write a great proposal that could attract funding.
Later we broke into our groups to work on the projects we were given.
29th June 2011
After breakfast and the daily briefings we split into groups to work on the proposal we had been tasked to do previously. This was a great experience for in working together you realize your strong and weak points.
Some of us had gone to the Sipopo Village, the venue for the Heads of State to attend a high level media colloquium on Youth Empowerment.
30th June 2011
After breakfast we were supposed to travel Sipopo village, the venue for the African Heads of State Summit. At around 1230hrs we all travelled to the summit.
The village was a marvel. The architectural design was simply spectacular. It was a sight to behold.
The Heads of States were discussing the issue of Youth Unemployment and there was a debate lined up with the youth and the presidents.
I felt really privileged to have attended the summit where all African Heads of State were meeting and seeing some of them for the first time.
The speeches given at the summit were timely and they resonated well with the overall theme.
We went back to the Cultural Center and had dinner at around 1030hrs then later to the hotel.
1st July 2011
The training had already ended. We recapped the whole training with strong emphasis on the exceptional young people who gave speeches at the Heads of State Summit.
Later, Dr. Asha Mohamed of UNFPA and Jyothi Raja of UNAIDS met with the volunteers who were sponsored by UNFPA. They emphasized that we keep on being active in youth matters and that we should be great examples to the rest. They urged that when we get back to our countries, we should contact our local offices on the youth network ‘Afriyan’ and how we can assist in the attainment of the objectives.
In the afternoon the UNFPA Executive Director Prof. Babatunde Osotimehin came visiting and we had a Question and Answer session with him.
He inspired me a great deal with his personal experience and he urged us to always work hard and never give up.
The closing ceremony was in line at 0700hrs. The ceremony was an emotional one.
Later at the hotel there was a party where certificates were awarded. Then the volunteers danced the whole night.
2nd July 2011
Having danced the whole night, we woke up very late. At 0900hrs we went for breakfast. After breakfast we went for some shopping since we would be going home the next day. We bought souvenirs and other things.
After lunch it was announced that the Minister of Culture was hosting us for a cocktail dinner.
At 1930hrs we left the hotel for the Cultural Center for the cocktail dinner. It was a great dinner for it was the last in Malabo for us.
After dinner we danced till 0100hrs then we went back to the hotel for more dancing till dawn.
3rd July 2011
This was our last day in Malabo in the Equatorial Guinea. It was really difficult to say goodbye for we had created great friends and built strong bonds.
Our bus to the airport left at 0800hrs and we arrived to a full airport with long queues. This was unlike the day we arrived where only our plane was in the airport. Emmanuel, the man who came for us the day we arrived was in handy to ensure that we are processed in time for our flight.
Then it started raining. Our flight was therefore delayed for an hour and a half. That meant we will arrive in Nairobi late.
At 0130hrs, our plane arrived and we boarded. The flight was good except for the gloomy mood that the volunteers had. It was easy to tell that the experience in Malabo was superb and memorable.
We touched down in Jomo Kenyatta International Airport at 0830hrs.
I switched on my phone and Safaricom welcomed me back home.
CONCLUSION
My chance to attend the pre deployment training in Malabo was a great experience and a priceless and memorable experience.
The training was timely and invaluable as were taught on Management Skills, Professional Competency and Life Skills.
Further, the cultural interaction I encountered, the people I met and the networks that I created are simply priceless. After the experience in Malabo I realized that:
1. I am not alone and that my experience is not singular. It is the same all over Africa.
2. My aspirations, dreams, values and desires are the same with other youths of Africa, from the Cape to the Cairo, from Kampala to N’Djamena, Windhoek to Malabo.
3. The youths of Africa have the power, drive and the energy to change the continent.
Again, you appreciate the fact that truly unity in Africa can be achieved. For 130 young people from all over the continent who did not each other came together in Malabo and lived harmoniously with each other and left indelible footprints in each other’s hearts. The power of the youth can be harnessed to bring about unity in Africa.
Finally, the sense of Africanness fills one with a deep sense of pride and love for the continent. When you see amazing young people who are well educated devoting their time to serve the continent to change it, you feel proud to be part of that team.
It is evident that I became a better person and that Malabo June 2011 changed my life forever. This was only possible through the help of the UNFPA to which I am forever grateful.
To the AU-YVC organizing team, I thank you all for the experience.
RECOMMENDATION
1. Let us institutionalize the AU-YVC in the African Union Commission (AUC). Let I be a different department under the commission.
2. Liaison offices should be opened in all member states in order to create more awareness for the program. Having offices will the effect of having a skills bank of trained volunteers who may continue to volunteer in their own countries well after deployment is over.
3. During future trainings, the volunteers should be divided according to their professional skills and qualifications.
4. In Malabo, a lot of time was spent during mealtimes. Time management should be a priority during future trainings.
5. Trips and excursions should be organized as part of the cultural orientation and experience. Let volunteers learn the country they stay in.

Written by:
eddie ombagi
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Eddie Ombagi