trp host btm for workshop

By Victor Mkhize

January 21, 2005: Late in December 2004 members of staff from Behind the Mask travelled to Windhoek to facilitate a workshop on Writing Skills and Basic Journalism, which was held at the new offices of The Rainbow Project, Namibia.

The workshop was facilitated by Daniel Somerville and Victor Mkhize, following a model developed with members of BTM and FEW (Forum for Empowerment of Women) in Johannesburg. The workshop had already been successfully held in Dar es Salaam in November 2004 with cooperation from local LGBT organisations there.

Most of the participants in Windhoek were TRP volunteers; others were members of the community from Katutura Township. In all 8, participants attended the workshop, which attracted participants, male, female and transgender, from a variety of ethic groups.

Positive interaction between the facilitators and the participants contributed to the success of the workshop and there was a very positive response from participants when evaluating the event. Topics covered included English language usage, summarising and comprehension, interview skills, how to find an angle in a story and the role of media in society. Some members of the group will continue their relationship with BTM by becoming correspondents for the organisation; the eyes and ears of BTM in Namibia.