Our Partners in Côte d’Ivoire Multiply Impact Through Facilitator Training

In March, our partners in Côte d’Ivoire hosted a one-day facilitator training for Sunday school teachers, young women, and youth leaders from local churches in the Korhogo area. Around 30 women and girls participated, alongside 20 young men who serve in Sunday school ministries. Thirteen local churches were represented, with each church sending two men and two women to take part in this facilitator training.

The purpose of the training was to equip local leaders to guide young people through key conversations around identity, belonging, and purpose, and to empower them to pass this training on within their own communities.

Several months later, the impact of that March training reached beyond Korhogo. During the Christmas season, one of the trained facilitators, Marie, moved to another city about 20–25 kilometers away. After joining a new church, she recognized the large number of young people in the congregation and expressed a desire for them to receive the program that she had had training on.

Although Marie did not yet feel ready to lead the program on her own, she took the initiative to organize the event and invited the Korhogo team to support her. After coordination with the local pastor, a date was set, and preparations began. While the church provided meals for the full day, the facilitator team covered the printing of booklets and the preparation of materials needed for the sessions.

The Dream and Dare Day took place on Saturday, January 24, with approximately 55 young people in attendance. The pastor, two deacons, and youth leaders were present throughout the day. Since the event, the church and participants have continued to send messages of gratitude and encouragement.

The facilitation team included one staff member and three trained female facilitators from Korhogo, who traveled by taxi to the neighboring city. They brought snacks and all the materials needed to lead the sessions. The day began with boys and girls together for the first three topics - Identity, Belonging, and Purpose. After sharing a meal, the group divided into separate sessions for girls and boys to explore additional subjects in a more focused environment.

What began as a single facilitator training in March became a powerful example of multiplication. Local leaders were equipped, confidence was strengthened, and young people in a neighboring community were given space to learn, reflect, and dream about their future.

This is the ongoing fruit of investing in local leaders—impact that continues to grow far beyond the original training.