A significant initiative has been launched in West Africa to enhance the training capabilities of national Red Cross societies. The First Aid Project in West Africa is leading the effort to empower trainers to become Trainers of Trainers (ToT), which aims to boost operational readiness in workplace settings and reinforce first aid practices within the region.
The initiative is a collaboration between the Global First Aid Reference Center (GFARC) technical partnership, the French and Monaco Red Cross, alongside the International Cooperation Department of Monaco. Training sessions have been conducted in Burkina Faso and Niger to strengthen the operational capacities of the Burkinabé and Niger Red Cross societies regarding training. The specific goal of the initiative is to equip both societies with sixteen newly trained ToTs proficient in GFARC pedagogy.
The training process consists of three stages: preparatory, in-person, and post-training. During the preparatory phase, participants engage in individual assignments to prepare for upcoming training sessions. The in-person stage spans five days, during which candidates attend courses, deliver micro-teaching sessions, and undergo comprehensive evaluations.
Despite initial staffing challenges during the Ouagadougou session, the training persevered, led by a single master trainer, resulting in the formation of eight trainers in each country. The success of the ToT program represents a significant advancement in enhancing first aid practices and training capacities in West Africa.
The initiative demonstrates the unwavering commitment of all stakeholders involved to nurture resilient communities equipped with life-saving skills, ultimately fostering safer and healthier environments across the region. Congratulations to all involved, including the teams from the Burkinabé and Niger Red Cross, Master Educators, GFARC, and all participants! The session was a resounding success.
