Read the Oct 27 dispatch here.
Read the Oct 28 dispatch here.
Read the Oct 29 dispatch here.
Read the Oct 30 dispatch here.
Read the Nov 3 dispatch here.
Train-the-trainer class
One of the goals of this SABI trip was to pave the way for continued safety training even after the SABI trainers depart. On Thursday, a group of 12 Surinamese linemen were selected to go through the SABI train-the-trainer program. Brady Hansen, Joe Backer and Ralph Kenyon spent a long day providing them with the skills they need to teach their colleagues the safety skills they have only just learned themselves. The train-the-trainer program focused on presentation skills, using different media as instruction tools, and dealing with classroom dynamics. These 12 men have committed to being the safety leaders for the EBS company and to begin training their peers.
Graduation ceremony
Friday afternoon was the SABI/EBS graduation for more than 200 EBS linemen here in Suriname. After two intensive weeks of training, the linemen gathered under a tent in the hot sun to celebrate their graduation. The emotions and excitement levels for all were running high. SABI co-founder Brady Hansen and EBS CTO Mr. Endoven delivered heartfelt speeches, and Mr. Endoven committed to do everything he can to support and encourage the changes needed to improve safety policies, including pushing for the funding of proper PPE and continued training for his linemen.
The SABI trainers head home
In the eyes of all, SABI is and has been a huge success in effecting safety changes here in Suriname. The trainers will travel approximately 5,000 miles back to their homes and families on the western coast of the United States over the weekend.
We donated our time and anything that we could stuff into our luggage to help the linemen of Suriname, and we were blessed in ways we could never have imagined by the Surinamese people. We went down there to help, but we ended up receiving as much as we gave.
Report and photos compiled by Ralph Kenyon