Former Director of FOCHTA , Singilton Phiri, appointed to the FOCHTA Board in Malawi
In Singilton’s words, here is how FOCHTA has contributed to his professional development:
1. FOCHTA sent me to a driving school just two weeks after my appointment which has helped me to become access clients far more easily;
2. FOCHTA sent me to Staff Development Institute (SDI) where I obtained a Certificate in Project Management. This helps me initiate, design, plan, implement and evaluate programmes and projects;
3. Through being FOCHTA’s Director, I learnt much about public relations. I met with District Commissioners, Lawyers, Social Welfare, Officers, Community leaders, NGOs and other government officials;
4. FOCHTA taught me advocacy rights of the destitute. I liaised with colleges all over Malawi;
5. FOCHTA helped me build community mobilisation skills;
6. Through working with FOCHTA I acquired capacity building skills. I got a job in an international organization as a Capacity Building Officer focusing on Community Based Organizations. Four years down the line, these skills were the most important learnt from FOCHTA;
7. Through interacting with 400 FOCHTA students in my time, I learnt counselling skills, talent/career development and build rapport with all children. This helped me pursue a counselling course. I have two counselling certificates both secular and faith based. Today, I am a qualified counsellor and;
8. Through addressing the needs of FOCHTA students I learnt how to start new programmes such as Take Home Rations, Gogoz programme, Tailoring and welding shops. All these are now successful projects.