Strengthening Relationships: A Week of Interpersonal Skills Training in Uttarakhand

This month, The Uttarakhand Cluster successfully completed a week long training on Sharpening Your Interpersonal Skills. In this blog, Cluster Mobiliser RAJ KUMAR shares how it went.

What was the purpose of this training?

We wanted to strengthen interpersonal relationships and develop practical skills for people working with large teams or communities so that they can communicate better and handle conflict in a good way. We covered a variety of topics including relationship killers, loving listening, confronting well, building personal trust, walking in moral purity, managing stress, helping others grieve well and being an encourager.

How was the planning process?

We started the process of aligning the dates, venue and facilitators in October last year. Once those were confirmed, we sent out the information early this year to Cluster members so that they could nominate the people they wanted to represent them. 

Did you encounter any challenges?

Yes. Initially, the preparation was being done with the understanding that the sessions would be conducted in Hindi. However, due to a communication gap, it was later discovered that the selected facilitators had planned to conduct the training entirely in English and had already made their travel arrangements accordingly. 

Finding a Hindi-speaking training team at such short notice proved to be extremely difficult. Therefore, it was decided to invite participants who were able to read, write, and  communicate in English. 

However, despite the change in language, the response was very encouraging. A total of 27  participants registered for the training.

Wonderful! And How did the training go? Really well! The sessions were highly interactive and practical. The facilitators fully engaged the participants and helped us reflect on our personal lives as well as the work that we do. Many who attended said that they felt encouraged, refreshed, and better equipped to handle relationships and challenges in both life and ministry. 

Here's what a few said:

"I had such a wonderful time learning that I called my children and told them what a blessed time I am having here." -- Participant

"The training is very practical. All leaders and pastors should attend it because it provides a strong and practical foundation for life and ministry." -- Participant

"We have good memories of our time together. The learnings and reflections we shared were  refreshing. Thank you for your love and for the appreciation expressed in many ways."  -- Facilitator

I would like to express my sincere gratitude to the facilitator, Dr. Eappen John and facilitating team, who not only facilitated the workshop but also made a significant financial contribution toward the training expenses. 

I would also like to thank the board of the Uttarakhand Cluster for accepting the proposal and making this training possible for the cluster members. My appreciation also goes to all the NGOs that nominated participants, the participants themselves, and everyone who contributed to the  smooth running of the training. 

Above all, we acknowledge that God made this training possible, we give all glory to Him alone. 

Thank you for sharing Raj! Learn more about the Uttarakhand Cluster here.