Facilitating Digital Changemaking

Activity: Facilitation of small Group of Women

Date: 15 April 2017

Number of Participants: 5 (women, aged- 28, 30, 32, 41 and 43)

Introduction: On the 15th of April 2017, I facilitated an activity online, as part of my Advanced Digital Change Making Training (World Pulse). I have previously been working with women who have experienced perinatal mental disorders and thus selected the activity “Writing a Journal”, as journaling can also be used as a form of therapy.

Objectives:

-For each participant to have a self- made journal and know how to use it.

- For participants to learn the importance of security concerning their journals

-To improve my facilitation skills (personal)

The Activity

The activity was executed online due to my inability to be physically present, regardless I took this as an opportunity to learn and encourage alternative means of communication that are ultimately cost effective, as well. I began by explaining to the women the objectives of the training. The participants showed a prior general knowledge of a journal, though none attested to currently having one. I engaged them in a brief participatory discussion about the sort of things they would expect to find written in a journal. Some of their suggestions included- secrets, important events, emotions and dates of note.

Making a Journal

Participants then made their own Journals with Paper, ribbons and a puncher. Participants were to decorate their Journals as they wish, at a different time due to time.

I then went on to tell the women about my own experience with Journaling and how it helped me get through my own trying times, which led me to telling them how I found World Pulse, what it has been to me and how my participation has grown within the community.

The Participants were then led through the writing prompt “Your Name”, where they wrote journal entries about their names.

Interesting Points and Themes

Meaning- Most participants knew the meanings of their names and wrote as such. Some were unsure of the meanings but knew who had given them their names, some inherited ( a fact that also held differing cultural emotions)

Feelings Associated- There were also mixed feelings concerning nicknames, many seemed to have arisen during school years, having come from a physical aspect, character trait or event. Pet names, from their families seemed to be more affectionate and comfortable for them.

Culture-Participants who were married with children revealed that their names were hardly ever used anymore, as they were more often called, “Mother of…(insert child’s name)” . Some welcomed this change, while others felt they missed being called by their names.

Participants who have children and are not married were still called by their names, which they were comfortable with.

Security

The importance of security was also discussed, bringing to light ways of keeping their journals safe, which again led to the discussion of electronic journals and World Pulse. The concern was mostly confidentiality, which was eased after some further discussions.

Notes

The activity went well, despite the fact that we were not physically in the same space. It was exciting to see how a simple topic such as a name can actually have deeper roots and influences on lives. I think if we were all able to use a web application and see each other, it would have greater “presence” this is currently hindered by resources that some participants may not have. Altogether, I am content that every participant left with a journal, understanding how it can be of use to her, how to keep herself safe and also how to join World Pulse.