MOT Coach Blogger of the Month – Cheslyn Rippenaar (Feedback on MOT Programmes)

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Below is a summary on feedback from our Young MOTivator and MOT Coach, Cheslyn Rippenaar with regards to the positive effect that the MOT Programmes have on our youth.

As a Young MOTivator and MOT Coach, I have volunteered to assist as a MOT Coach, leading MOT sessions and participating in events, including the MOT Coaches’ Basic Education and Young MOTivator Education for TVET Colleges and Schools. The passion I’ve got for MOT is great.

I am a product of the MOT programmes.

An experience I would like to share is one that brings me pure joy! One where you can see the results.

MOT focuses on strengthening youth’s awareness and courage, as well as developing robust youth and, when you see the change your heart just melts.

I clearly remember a MOT session I facilitated at one of the TVET Colleges where we participated in thought-provoking discussions such as social ills. (The session that was held was CLASS CULTURE in the MOT Manual).

We explored the background of these students; where they come from, why they are the way they are, and this is where a young lady broke down and cried during the session.

In a situation like this, as a trained MOT Coach you need to remove the person from the classroom or venue and talk to him about what has happened. The environment MOT creates is one of a warm and safe space, where youth can freely share.

I then asked her to share her experience. She mentioned that the reason she broke down in tears is that she has a single mother who is currently in an abusive environment and the session related to her so well that she could not withhold her emotions.

After she shared her story, I saw a rapid change within the classroom environment and we all felt, a welcoming spirit and a real sense of understanding one another and their backgrounds.

In another situation at my current job, I had a learner that always disrupts the class and acts out. I addressed this with another colleague who stays on the same property as the learner who mentioned that the learners’ father is a heroin addict and that the previous week, his father mentioned not to call him dad, but uncle.

This helped me to clearly understand the reason for the learner disrupting the class and helps me understand how best to work with the student. This also forms part of the MOT Manual.

MOT allows you to see the whole person and not to judge others.

So, what we lack in understanding, we gain in knowledge.

During the MOT session on communication, these youth learned how to communicate with one another, the results thereof were spectacular, and their energy was so positive throughout the year.

In conclusion, the saying says that “Rome was not built in a day”, so we cannot expect the change to happen immediately.

MOT takes place everywhere, not only in a classroom. MOT is a lifestyle.

Thank you.

Cheslyn Rippenaar

Read our last article on our 18 new MOT Coaches that were trained within December 2021 here

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