Introduction

From 12th to 16th August 2024, Diani Montessori conducted an impactful five-day Nonviolent Communication (NVC) training designed to enhance interpersonal skills, foster empathy, and promote a culture of understanding within our community. This report summarizes the feedback and insights expressed by participants throughout the training, showcasing the profound effects of the program on their communication practices and personal growth. 

                                                    Participant Testimonials

1. Enhanced Communication Skills 

Many participants highlighted the transformative nature of their communication skills post-training. Quotes illustrating this shift include: 

"The NVC training has revolutionized the way I communicate with others. I've learned to express my needs without judgment and to listen with empathy, which has greatly improved my interactions both personally and professionally. I enjoyed the openness of the training and the clarity that helped me understand the teachings. I have learned how to deal with different people or situations and the detrimental effects of gossip in our lives." - Nuru 

"What I enjoyed most was the use of real-life examples during the training, making lessons enjoyable and understandable. I have learned to listen without blaming or judging and identify the sources of my anger." - Christine 

2. Increased Empathy 

Participants expressed newfound appreciation for empathy as a vital component of communication: 

 "This training opened my eyes to the importance of empathy in communication. I now feel more connected to others and approach conflicts with a mindset of understanding rather than defensiveness." 

3. Practical Tools for Everyday Life 

The training included numerous practical exercises that enabled participants to apply the concepts learned in real-time: 

"I appreciated the practical exercises that were included in the training. They allowed me to apply the concepts in real-time scenarios, making it easier to integrate NVC into my daily life." 

4. Positive Community Impact 

Participants believe that the training will have a widespread positive impact within Diani Montessori: 

"I believe this training will positively influence the culture at Diani Montessori. As more of us adopt these principles, we can create a more supportive and compassionate environment for both staff and students." 

5. Supportive Learning Environment 

Feedback indicated that the training environment fostered trust and engagement: 

"The facilitators created a warm and safe space, nurturing an environment where everyone felt comfortable sharing their thoughts and experiences." 

6. Personal Growth 

Participants noted the training's role in their personal development: 

"The training wasn’t just about communication techniques; it was also a journey of self-discovery. I’ve gained clarity on my values and how to express them—something I never expected when I signed up." 

7. Recommendations for Future Training 

Many participants expressed interest in ongoing education and support: 

"I would love to see follow-up workshops to reinforce the concepts we've learned. Ongoing support would be beneficial as we strive to implement NVC practices in our interactions." 

 Testimonials 

1.      Enhanced Communication Skills
"The NVC training has revolutionized the way I communicate with others. I've learned to express my needs without judgment and to listen with empathy, which has greatly improved my interactions both personally and professionally." 

I have also had the opportunity to learn where my anger comes from and how others trigger it in me. Now am happy to deal with anger from my side and others.  Christine.

“What I enjoyed in your training is how you handled every topic by giving examples of real-life situations happening within Diani School and the community. What I take home from the 5 days is: am able to control my anger, have been equipped with the qualities of a mediator and now I can say yes if I get the request to support in mediation in my workplace. Also, I have learned to connect with everyone’s feelings and needs regardless of their class or position.”  Mary .A. Kongere.

“What I enjoyed in your training is the way you did your explanation and teaching. You were equate and full of knowledge. What I take home for the 5 days of training is, empowerment,  equipped with knowledge in resolving disputes where I can, fostering a community that is peaceful through reconciliation.”Samson Odour 

“I enjoyedthe whole training but what moved me most was the mediation and reconciliation part of it. I'm leaving this experience as a new teacher—empowered, inspired, and equipped with the talents and skills of NVC."Judith Awour 

“What I enjoyed in your training in your training is how you use real life experiences in your training. What I take home for the five days to others since am equipped with the skills and also a practising counsellor, am equipped with the process in mediation.” Sylvia Achieng` 

“What I enjoyed in your training is how you used real life examples in your explanation and teachings. It made understanding easy. For the five days of training I take home, how to handle mediation and reconciliation process, self-empathy and how to deal with anger.” Elizabeth Recy 

“What I enjoyed in your training is the concept of community building for a smooth co-existence. I take home good communication, good implementation of leadership skills, and character/ Behaviour modeling.” Participant 

2.      Increased Empathy
"This training opened my eyes to the importance of empathy in communication. I now feel more connected to others and can approach conflicts with a mindset of understanding rather than defensiveness." 

3.      Practical Tools for Everyday Life
"I appreciated the practical exercises that were included in the training. They allowed me to apply the concepts in real-time scenarios, making it easier to integrate NVC into my daily life." 

4.      Positive Community Impact
"I believe this training will positively influence the culture at Diani Montessori. As more of us adopt these principles, we can create a more supportive and compassionate environment for both staff and students." 

5.      Supportive Learning Environment
"The facilitators created a warm and safe space for us to share our thoughts and experiences. This nurtured an environment of trust, where everyone felt comfortable to engage fully in the training process." 

6.      Personal Growth
"The training wasn’t just about communication techniques; it was also a journey of self-discovery. I’ve gained clarity on my values and how to communicate them—something I never expected when I signed up." 

7.      Recommendations for Future Training
"I would love to see follow-up workshops to help reinforce the concepts we've learned. Some ongoing support would be beneficial as we strive to implement NVC practices in our interactions." 

                                                                          Conclusion

The feedback gathered from the participants of the NVC training demonstrates a deep appreciation for the knowledge and practical skills acquired throughout the five-day program. Participants reported significant improvements in their communication abilities and empathy towards others, anticipating lasting benefits for the Diani Montessori community. 

We encourage all participants to continue practicing the principles of Nonviolent Communication and look forward to scheduling additional training sessions in the future to further enhance understanding and collaboration within our community.