Training in Paradise: The TIP Compendium Volumes 1-VI   Volume I: Participant-Centered Learning: The Conceptual Framework presents our participant-centered philosophy, some key concepts linked to it, as well as a chapter from Volumes II-VI describing a workshop and some insights about working in that culture.     Volume II: Training of Trainers (TOT) includes examples from the many TOTs we have delivered and manuals we have written. It is organized into three sections: “Before, During and After the workshop.”  It is our take on how to train facilitators to do participant-centered work—with focus on design, delivery, facilitation skills, adult learning styles, small group work, key methodologies, generic schedules, checklists and designs.     Volume III: Project Planning & Monitoring focuses on ZOPP (Ziel Orientierte Projekt Planung) and Project Cycle Management—beginning in Nepal with USAID, then in Thailand with GTZ, moving to Europe with AMI, extending into South Asia, the Middle East and...

  Last week we received  the proof of our TIP (Training in Paradise) compendium--all 840 pages and two pounds of it! Soon to be available through this website and Book Baby. And so far the reviews are good! Here are two reviews and and a picture of us together, with the book and our Ellie!   TIP Blurb by Nancy Hopkins Training in Paradise is an amazing six-section compendium of Marcia and Denny Hamilton’s world-wide work in participant centered training. The book opens up 40 years of shared experience as they developed a philosophy of best practices for adult learning. With step-by-step examples from projects, workshops, and personal interactions across multiple cultures, countries and educational levels, you will be fascinated wherever you dip into it. Illiterate subsistence farmers, high level government functionaries, first responders, and MBA students, whether in Europe, Asia, or the Middle East have all learned tools to...

Beginning with the failure of spring rains in 2016, Ethiopia, Somalia, Kenya and Sudan began to spiral into a significant drought.  I was asked to go to Ethiopia in mid-February this year.  Part of my task was to facilitate a team assessment of a drought stricken area covering two districts in Easter Ethiopia, in which SOS CVI had begun a water trucking project in December, 2016.  Thirteen villages in these two neighboring districts (Gode and Kalefo) were the subject of our assessment.   The flight out from Addis was interesting for the overview it provided of the drought affected areas in or flight path.  The most remarkable feature of the terrain for much of the distance we covered was how rugged it was.  Very steep walled ravines cutting down through the earth into jagged river valleys.  Early on, the creeks and rivers reflected the hot sun’s rays.  Not far out from...

  SOS Children’s Villages International is a global organization launched in 1949 by an Austrian named Hermann Gmeiner.  The organization has established operations in 140 countries.  What they do is go into a new country, meet with government officials, obtain approval to operate, find a plot of land in an appropriate location, assure access and a sustainable water supply, build substantial homes, hire and train staff and take in orphans.  Children can become part of the program from age three months and older.  Children live with a surrogate mother, go to either a local school or to a school inside the SOS compound, then to a local high school.  They reside in the village until they are 18 and then can move into a city or town nearby where SOS operates youth hostels for boys and girls.  The can pursue and apprenticeship, a vocational training center or a university.  SOS continues...

Now what? Once a person has completed a personal LEAP (Life Experience Action) Plan one has targets and objectives and dates by which to plan to accomplish certain objectives.  However,  one thing that is missing in the new set of LEAP materials is a calendar on which to jot down those target dates.  TAP  used to provide small checkbook-size calendars, but with technology taking over the schedule and the wallet, I decided to create a large wall calendar version on paper, using one of my paintings of fruits and vegetables—because my LEAP has “learning to paint” as an objective—for each month.     The Calendar is offered for $20.00 and includes postage in the US.   You can pay for it through Paypal on our TAP website.  Just go to SHOP, choose "Books"  and find the LEAP Calendar. !  I hope you enjoy my paintings.  I know I enjoyed painting the...