The WIN Programme has created an avenue for dialogue on both my personal and professional growth in the field of media which has brought immediate results in my actions and learning process.
The informal and formal interactions have been so over-whelming on my part where a vast amount of knowledge ranging from self assertiveness to public presentations has made purposeful impact on my career and academic life for the future. As a WIN Mentor I have been able to introspect on a number of issues during the past six months pertaining to my own experience and was empowered through broadening my knowledge base to make informed choices and decisions in my career development.
Each National Gathering was about development whether I was listening to a Facilitator or I was the one facilitating the session. I learnt to learn and not teach from different presentations and interactions with the Mentees and through this, my growth in articulating issues has left a footprint or mark. The relationship I have developed with each Mentee has enabled me to look at people with different strengths and abilities which would help complement different goals, make correct decisions and help solve or resolve issues at any level one is operating on.
I have learnt to sharpen my skills as a Mentor and this leaves me satisfied or contented that I can build my ability to listen more, interrogate an issue better, build better rapport and extrapolate insight and knowledge from any situation I come across.
Apart from this, I have established that all persons have something to give and sometimes all they need is the “blessed” assurance that they can do all things. It is amazing to see how Mentees have gathered so much confidence to tackle issues and, moreso, develop independent critical thinking minds to conquer things that once looked like mountains in their eyes – those mountains have simply waxed into hills after being baptised in the fire of WINners.
Caroline Phiri-Lubwika is a Media Consultant in Botswana and a WIN Mentor to participants in the country.
