Back in February, Geekcorps Mali co-facilitated a training with Helen Keller International. It was a 5-day training on various web-related topics, and GCM was responsible for the two days spent on an introduction to SPIP (the open-source CMS we use to manage our websites). I wound up presenting some parts of it, although I hadn't planned to. I didn't have time to be nervous and I couldn't be too hard on myself, since I hadn't had time to prepare.

Now we're getting ready to do another training, also at HKI, but it's six days long and it's a very different format. I'm working with another volunteer who I'll call Moussa (his Malian name) and our stagiare, Cheick. It's a "train the trainer" format. The first three days, we've invited a handful of the most motivated radio journalists we work with to receive some follow-up SPIP training, and to learn how to become trainers. The second three days, they -- our newly-minted trainers -- will lead a SPIP training for other journalists from new partner stations.

It's my first time doing this, but I'm really excited about the "train the trainer" concept. Through this format we'll not only introduce some novices to SPIP, but we'll encourage and reward those who have already demonstrated aptitude and interest. And, ideally, those journalists in the first group will be able to use their new training skills in other situations.

Moussa and I have been working on this for weeks. I feel like we've spent days in the conference room hammering out every little detail. We started with the general plan, then worked out a rough schedule for each day, then assigned each session to a facilitator (i.e., one of us). I took my assigned pieces and wrote out a script, in French, of basically everything I need to say. We selected materials for handouts, had them translated into French, and printed them out.

Some interesting differences between training in Mali and training in the US: In Mali, participants expect to receive a per diem from the trainers -- not to pay for the training. The per diem is supposed to cover their meals and lodging while they are in town. We're also covering their transportation expenses to Bamako, and providing two daily pauses cafe, midmorning and midafternoon. (Never underestimate the importance of the pause cafe. We'd have a mutiny on our hands if we didn't put out Nescafe and croissants and let everyone take a break.)

I don't think I can be much more prepared for next week, but I'm still nervous. And no matter what I'll be completely exhausted, so don't be surprised if you don't hear from me next week ...