Based on the ICDP report, 2024, by Abdiladif Mohamed Ismail:
The ICDP programme has been incorporated in the Child Sensitive Social Protection (CSSP) project in Somaliland, which has been implemented by Save the Children since 2017 in cooperation with the local partner HAVOYOCO and the Ministry of Labor, Social Affairs and Family (MOLSAF).
In 2024, four staff members of the project based in Hargeisa, Somaliland were selected for training at trainer level. They were previously trained as ICDP facilitators by the ICDP international team. The main purpose of the training was to establish the first ICDP trainers in Somaliland, to create competent trainers who can train local facilitators in ICDP programme. The ICDP trainers were trained, guided and supervised by the ICDP chairperson, Nicoletta Armstrong, throughout the process.
The training took place over a four-month period (from August – November 2024) The training consisted of online sessions, followed by practical ICDP work by the team of trainee trainers. There was a significant number of call meetings to discuss progress and address challenges and ways forward. The four ICDP trainers successfully completed the training, having finished their self-training assignments required for certification.
The ICDP trainers established four community-based groups of a total of 16 persons who volunteered to become ICDP facilitators. Three groups were based in the ongoing CSSP project targeted location in Hargeisa and the fourth group was selected from non-project targeted locations in Hargeisa. The selected persons were mostly community champions in the area where the CSSP project was being implemented, and in addition one group was selected from teachers in the city of Hargeisa. The training of new facilitators started with a 5-day workshop. After the workshop facilitators started to implement the ICDP programme by holding sessions with caregivers/parents on a weekly basis. The ICDP trainers developed their respective plans for supporting facilitators through personal visits to watch facilitators in action, as well as by holding group meetings and communicating through WhatsApp. The facilitators were fully committed and completed the training in a timely manner as agreed with the facilitators and the ICDP international team.
Recommendations by new trainers:
• To continue to implement the ICDP programme and include it in future programming of Save the Children and HAVOYOCO.
• To expand the outreach by forming ICDP facilitators in Magalo Cad in Berbera and other location in Somaliland.
• To receive further training to reach the next level to become Trainers of Trainers.
• To try to establish ICDP Somaliland as an ICDP international partner in Africa; the team is eager to take the lead and make this happen in Somaliland.