Learning & Reflection Day
Today was learning & reflection day at RAP. This whole exercise is so important to stay relevant as we process new information and look at gaps that directly impact our program. As one development professional said: ”until we periodically stop all our external delivery activities in order to have time for structured learning practices, our reflections were superficial and mechanistic and did not lead to any obvious learning and change. Everywhere in the NGO sector the needs and demands on time and resources are such that a task orientation predominates and little time or value is given to reflection or learning processes. Yet interventions into other peoples lives and development should demand careful thought and planning based on learning from what has gone before and other sources.”
And so today was the end of a 2 day opportunity to review all that was accomplished in 2015. We evaluated our successes, our challenges, solutions, lessons learned, what goals we have for 2016 and the plans we have for achieving these goals. It was a rich time of fellowship as I sat back listening to our staff share their hearts and express their thoughts about all they had learned. I am so proud of this team at RAP and so blessed by how God has been working in and through their lives, and the many ways He has ministered to them as they cultivated reflective practices into their decision making processes.
There were so many treasures shared today but it was so encouraging to hear that our staff encounter Christ here in a deeper and more meaningful way than they have had previously. Staff noted that ”when there is a problem here, we are encouraged to confront each other and speak truth which is so different from other places where we keep quiet about our problems or conflict with each other.” For those in the West, this may not seem like a big deal since we are used to speaking direct to each other, but in an Asian culture where saving face is so highly valued and speaking truth is of low value, I am grateful for how God’s truth is being manifested and the desire of our staff to live and practice biblical principles.
Cambodian culture, like many Asian cultures, is very family oriented so it is not a surprise that at the Ratanak offices in Cambodia, we seek to cultivate a family atmosphere. It was touching to learn from one of our young staff that the love she has received from her ”RAP family” is more than her own biological family, and no matter what the problem, she knows that there is someone here to support her. At home, she can’t really express her true feelings, but here she can share her true feelings. Another person shared ”this is not a workplace but a home and you are like brothers and sisters.” This is not the first time I have heard such comments from our staff but I remain thankful to God that the RAP home is not just a safe place for our clients, but a safe place for our staff – a place where they too can encounter healing, encouragement and feel a sense of belonging.
Such insights affirm that capacity development in a postconflict society is more than just focusing on skills building. It involves providing a holistic approach that supports the emotional, physical and spiritual well being of our staff. In so doing, this creates a ripple effect that opens the door for cultural breakthroughs and provides an opportunity not only for greater empowerment and engagement at work, but also for the incarnation of Christian values in a workplace setting where staff truly feel loved, valued and cared for. Thank you RAP team for demonstrating so powerfully how God is at work in your lives. I am so blessed and so privileged to work along side each of you!
– Lisa Cheong
Cambodia Country Director
