Please find the articles expressed by our members who have attended ATOT in Bangkok 2017
- click here to read.
- About LGBT -by Dawa Norbu Sherpa (ID: ypb.pce55), Paro College of Education
From Rinchen Dorji
I had the utmost privilege of attending an advance training of trainers (ATOT) in the field of sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) for youth advocates in Bangkok, Thailand. To be perfectly honest, the training was quite incredible. It was such a wonderful opportunity for me wherein I got to explore new things, meet with friends from Asian-pacific countries, and visit all those wonderful places, but most importantly, I have gained a lot of insight and perspective on sexual reproductive and health rights and for that, I am grateful. The five-day-long training included impeccable topics such as sex and gender, sexual orientation gender identity and expression(SOGIE), consent and pleasure, sexual health, reproductive health, methods of contraception and the list goes on.
Therefore, let me take this opportunity to thank UNFPA and particularly the department of youth and sports (DYS) for their unbroken encouragement, extensive support and numerous motivations.
From Sonam Chuki
With much excitement and curiosity, I work my other two colleagues, reached the destination carrying the flagship of Y-PEER Bhutan. I imagined of some usual trainings where we have a formal and suffocating environment yet we were compelled to talk. Being my first training outside the country and knowing that there will be people from different countries, I was quite worried whether I would fit in with them or not.
After reaching, I learned that I was the youngest of all. This made me think that I might not be able to make up with them. However, after the training started, we got to mingle with each other and all my assumptions turned out to be wrong.
Moreover, the training was just the opposite of what I imagined in the beginning. It was friendlier and people had the chance to participate easily. Also, it provides us with skills that were beyond what was reflected in the guidelines and manuals of Y-PEER.
The training was well planned and I had lots to take back home; starting from the knowledge gained from the training to taking back memories made with new friends all over the Asia Pacific region. It was one of the best trainings I have attended so far and I think I was blessed to have got the opportunity to attend it.
From Chimi Dema – Y-PEER CST
Youth trainings have always been fun, interesting and productive. Moreover, Y-Peer trainings have helped me a lot and provided me a platform where I could freely, openly, without any hesitation ask questions and express my ideas. Being with the Ypeers and peer educators from different part of the world was an amazing experience. I could not only get to know different cultures and traditions but also discuss the different youth issues they are facing. For some of the issues that are happening in my country, the solutions and methods that were discussed in the trainings were so helpful!
Different opinions and different ideas with no restrictions and limitations help an individual to express his/her ideas freely and I am so glad the facilitators so beautifully maintained such a platform. Moreover, it was okay even if my language was not fluent, somehow what I wanted to say was conveyed to other participants comfortably.
Even outside the training hall, it was another way of training yourself to adjustments, communication, independence, confidence and culture. Going for shopping, trying out different food, sharing the scenarios of our own country, taking pictures, secretly buying gifts for each other, all of these small activities made us bond more and feel more attached. I am very glad that I have a friend, a brother, a sister in different parts of Asia.
The five days tour to Bangkok was not only fun but very educative as well.
I entered the training hall raw and with very little knowledge and I came out of it wealthy and beautifully shaped. I am now more confident and encouraged to help my friends who need help.
I would like to extend my happiest gratitude to Y-Peer Bhutan for always being supportive and the facilitators for making the training fun and comfortable and also the other participants for being funny and amazing!
All in all, Thank You Y-Peer Family!
Thank you for reading till the end!