Reflections of Empowerment Training, Module II Assignment

Three months ago I began my journey as an Apprentice of the Empowerment Institute under the guidance of Leah Auma Okeyo a World Pulse sister and Executive Director for Positive and Active Towards change Organization in Kenya. Being an Apprentice meant observing how facilitation of an Empowerment Workshop was done by the Facilitator and participating actively while helping in the facilitation process and doing it alone in future. I was excited when Sister Busayo Obisakin taught us at the Advanced Digital Changemaking Classroom the 2017 cohort exactly what I had been trained on , relearning what I had previously been given an insight on, brought it to a whole new level of understanding. I am three months along as an apprentice so much has changed in my personal growth and career development, I do feel empowered and better placed to empower others.

These are my reflections with reference from David Gershon and Gail Straub book; “The Art of Creating Your Life as You Want It, Empowerment” and since my introduction to the empowerment training:

For one to empower others they must be fully aware of where they are now, this includes the knowledge to determine what is desired. Secondly one must have a vision; this means they know where they want to go, and the change they need, to get there by identifying the limiting beliefs or core beliefs (which is defined as the unconscious and unexamined mental programming that comes in childhood or the environment we have lived in) and adjust accordingly through a transformation process and have an idea of what is their next growth step is by identifying and clearly articulating their next development step in a statement of intention and visual image next growth step. In life you have to focus on the outcomes (seeds) and not the obstacles (weeds). Truth is where you place your attention is where growth happens. This I have learnt because most of the goals I have affirmed and visualized have come to pass.

An example of where I moved from pathology to vision is when I had worked with adolescent girls and teenage mothers and I had been procrastinating for close to two years of starting a powerful way to help. I finally registered a Community Based Organization that focused on Sexual Reproductive Health and Rights for adolescent girls. Through the organization adolescent girls especially teenage mothers are supported through reintegration to school and we are also advocating for Comprehensive Sexuality Education. In the long run we have managed to partner with other organizations and are currently implanting various programs that include economic empowerment mentorship and skills development. In the long run ours efforts have been recognized by other organizations like PACHO, Fortress of Hope Africa, Akili Dada as a leadership fellow, County Governments and Churches for our work. I also had a life threatening disease, Deep Vein Thrombosis but I always visualized myself healthy and raising my children a year later through proper medication and staying optimistic I was declared free of any blood clots and healthy. I take good care myself through exercise and healthy eating. We are advised to work with challenges in a Visionary way and take due responsibility for whatever happens within and around us. This basically means where we place our attention is where growth happens.

In my growing edge journey, I realized that I am a guide and not an expert and just like I mentor and help out others; I too need a support system, I share my vulnerabilities both in my personal and career life with the people in my life and break the barriers (core beliefs) that limit me from achieving my dreams. By overcoming my fears and limitations I easily reach the high goals I have set in a clearer manner.

My other growing edge is committing myself to meditation and increase a deeper communication with my body to increase my confidence and an internal conversation that will allow me to rest and balance. This basically means I set straighter and higher goals in every aspect if my life and taking nothing for granted. There are various aspects that one needs to find their growing edge these are Emotions, Relationships, Sexuality, Body, Money Work and Spirituality. To have a complete life, I have learnt that one must be in touch and have a healthy relationship with all her growing edges; when it comes to emotions people should express their true feelings and express them more freely. My growing edge emotionally is to control and express my emotions in a healthy way without hurting others and not suppressing them either. Relationship wise I believe I am a unique and totally lovable person and deserve all the gifts of wonderful loving relationships.

I have worked really hard in growing my career this includes studying and taking various jobs, although I am not there yet I am confident that with time it is achievable. In my work I will use my creativity, ingenuity and entrepreneurial instincts to create work that is both impactful to communities, meaningful and financially rewarding. My spiritual life has also greatly improved because we all have a purpose on this planet, and therefore we should all live a purpose driven life because we have been called to do so. I am firm believer in God and I draw my strength from the belief that there is a higher power (God) who watches over me. Whenever I am need, feel pressured or happy I talk to Him quietly and privately. He will always offer solace therefore God is a good listener, loving, kind, generous, wise, and powerful friend. The aforementioned are the various aspects of my life that I have worked on and looking deeply into other elements of my growing edges.

Let us have a good self-esteem, a positive attitude, take responsibility, trust in the universe, flow with change, and own our personal power. We can all cultivate our inner soil and have the personal power to change and define the direction of our future and that of others so let’s go for it!

We can only empower those we seek to empower if we ourselves are empowered!

This has been prepared with guidance from the Empowerment Institute Alumna Busayo Obisakin, Leah Auma Okeyo and The Empowerment Framework.

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