As 2018, also 2019 was quite busy with the various tasks as Program Manager for DON BOSCO Tech Africa, the network and coordination office for Sub-Saharan Salesian TVET (Technical and Vocational Education and Training) and its 102 training centers in 35 countries. Although, the number of duty travels were less than in the previous year, the market research results had to be processed, a series of training courses and workshops had to be organized and two extensive applications, one to the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) and for a pilot project with the European Union, which aims to exchange experiences among African vocational students in Europe, had to be prepared.
Training and workshops were conducted for members in the areas of
- Strategy planning (for selected personnel in Nairobi)
- Quantitative Data Analysis (for the national lead persons of the continental market survey in Nairobi)
- Life skills (for national Salesian employment agencies in Lagos)
- Digital marketing and cooperation with the industries (for national employment agencies and people from the planning and development offices in Maputo)
- Kick-Off Workshop for the Global Program (for participating countries in Nairobi)
In addition, the annual meeting of national TVET-Coordinators and Job Service Officers was organized as well as some initiatives launched for 2020. Exchange programs between the National Job Service Officers were also organized to give them a better insight into other systems, so that they could learn from them and adopt them to their environment and into their daily routine.
As already mentioned, the continental labor market survey report as well as some country reports were completed and published.
The development of the training module for solar technicians in English as well as the organization of the participation of the African Development Bank and African Union in the annual stakeholder’s meeting can be cited as a great success.
Network meetings in Rome and Nairobi with congregation leaders and Salesian NGOs were also part of the annual program.
Besides work, the year was characterized by intensive learning, which paid off with the graduation of a Master in Business Administration with high distinction (overall marks of 94.5% which is equivalent to the average marks of 1.1 out of a maximum of 1 [1 is the best and 5 would be failed]).
As a result, my family had to put up a lot on their shoulders and therefore, I would like to take this opportunity to say a very heartfelt “thank you”. Without their support, I would not have been this successful.
We also had a lovely visit from friends like Viktoria, “our teacher”. Viktoria had been teaching Marie-Therese Aisha for a year when we were working in Bougainville, Papua New Guinea. Our long-time friend Dr. Wolfgang Böhm visited us as well. A very warm thank you to the two who enriched our year. I also had the chance to see “old” dear friends from Papua New Guinea and the time at the commercial collage in Feldbach after a long time.
So, that’s what happened, I guess … time flies so quickly.
… and yes, I almost forgot … in March we can say “welcome” to another Kornhäusl.
In this sense: All our love and best wishes to all friends, relatives and enemies as well as to everyone we know.
Hugs, The Kornhäusl’s