SPHERE TRAINING REPORT
World Vision South Africa
Thaba Nchu ADP
South Africa
21-23, NOVEMBER 2011
Executive Summary
World Vision SA in collaboration with the University of the Free State (DiMTEC) facilitated
Sphere Training to the members of the community of Thaba Nchu ADP. The training was
for three days it started from 21-23 November 2011. The training mainly focuses on the key
basic issues of Sphere whereby the training was both conducted in English and Local
language. The community was allowed to express their knowledge in disaster planning,
preparedness and mitigation.
The participants were members of the community of Thabanchu particularly home visitors
and ADP committee member and there was no representation from any government
departments and local municipality.
Background and purpose
South Africa is not spared of Disasters as many believe. Natural and Man-made disasters
have been on the rise in the last four years in this country with xenophobic attacks of 2008,
Floods of 2010-2011 and the latest Tornadoes in Ficksburg and Duduza being still fresh in
the minds of all South Africans. Shack fires are also a continuous occurrence in most of the
informal settlements. Botshabelo, where Khauhelo ADP is, is also vulnerable to disasters.
With the levels of poverty in this community, the levels of vulnerability are high. Disaster
Management is part of the legislation in the country and it is imperative for communities to
be educated and aware of what needs to be done to prepare, respond and militate against
disasters. World Vision South Africa and Disaster Management Training and Education
Center for Africa aims to ensure that all ADPs staff, communities and partners are given the
opportunity to build their awareness, commitment to and practice in implementing the
Sphere Minimum Standards. World Vision South Africa as well as Disaster Management
Training and Education Center for Africa recognizes the need for all humanitarian response
operations to be guided by “best practice” in humanitarian work.
Objectives
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The objective of this training was not to thoroughly study the content of the Sphere
Handbook as they participants will have the book to themselves and use it as a
reference guide.
Create awareness of the Sphere Handbook at community level
Equip the community leaders with knowledge in minimum standards in humanitarian
response
Offer an invaluable community service to build the communities capacity in
knowledge and management skills
Facilitators
1.
2.
3.
4.
Alice Ncube- University of Free State (DIMTEC)
Tshepo Sediti- World Vision SA- Khauhelo ADP
Olivia Kunguma- University of Free State (DIMTEC)
Stanley Maphosa- World Vision SA- National Office
Training Expectations
Participants failed to give out their expectation as far as Sphere training is concerned
because they said they were not prepared for the training by the ADP.
Summary of the Workshop
Monday (14/11/11)
Arrival & Registrations
Welcome and Workshop
Expectations
Block 1 & 2
Workshop objectives
Trainees were registered as planned. Participants were
unable to give their expectations.
Introduction to Sphere
Workshop objectives were displayed on flip chart. Sphere
was introduced by looking at the outside cover and
explaining the icons and then moving on to explain the core
belief and what Sphere entails in quality and accountability
issues
Block 3
Sphere Overview:
What is Sphere and why is it
important?
This discussion was PowerPoint and group work and
participants were able to put Sphere in its perspective on
why it is important to Development and Disaster
Management
Sphere Overview:
Block 4
Cross cutting themes
Block 5
Protection Principles
The cross cutting themes were discussed with examples.
Participants were able to refer to relevant pages of the
themes and explain why they need to be considered in the
implementation of Technical Chapters and Disaster
Management Project cycle.
This is a new Chapter in Sphere and it was introduced
through the interpretation of the icon. The participants in
groups interacted with the Principles through scenarios
presented as pictures as well as their application when
implementing the 4 Technical Chapters.
Tuesday (15/11/11)
Block 6
The humanitarian Charter
Block 7
Sphere and the project cycle
Block 8
Sphere and the Project cycle. A
case study
Block 9
Technical Chapters: Shelter
Code of Conduct
Block 10
Sphere and Disaster Preparedness
From the now to unkown, this subject was introduced from
the point of the Freedom Charter, Police Service Charter
and Children’s Charter which many participants know.
Although it was relatively a difficult block, the participants
were able to apply it in the case study provided.
The Project cycle was well known to many from the
Development point of view. The facilitators took time to
discuss the similarities and differences between the two
versions and got participants to contribute meaningfully
Groups did well to align the case study to the Project cycle
and their presentations were fabulous. There was a lot of
discussion on the assessments as participants linked with the
disaster Management assessments they have seen pr
participated in themselves in this community
The four technical chapters were introduced from the
Handbook following the icons. The discussion then centred
on the Shelter Chapter and its requirements. The session
also covered the Red Cross code of conduct. The
participants interacted well with the code and discussed in
groups-giving good feedback
This session introduced the key concepts in disaster
management and participants gave their definitions and
understanding. There was discussion around the terms and
their meanings from a contextual viewpoint
Wednesday (16/11/11)
Block 11
Sphere and Disaster
Preparedness. A case study
The case study was taken from the Community Disaster
Preparedness Plan for Thaba Nchu ADP. The participants
reviewed the document and added and removed some
information. This will assist the Programme in a number of
ways after this training to ensure that the community is
prepared for hazards
Block 12
Sphere Quiz and Revision
The quiz was done in groups. Two groups competed in
answering the questions from the three days training. There
was good discussion and debate on the correct and not
correct answers with justifications and examples. This was
an interesting session.
Block 13
Feedback & Certification
Most of the participants indicated that they enjoyed the
sessions and learnt valuable lessons. The areas to improve
are captured separately in this report. The certification
activity was filled with joy and jubilation as the participants
took photos and enjoyed themselves
Block 14
Action Planning& Closure
The action plans was for the ADP to and review the existing
Disaster preparedness plan and incorporate Sphere in to the
plan and also they should involve the participants in drafting
and finalising the plan. The Local Municipality will also be
engaged to use the trained cadres in the Disaster
Management Committees.
Feedback from participants
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The time of training should be extendend
The participants should be told in time if there are trainings to be conducted.
The venue should be improved as it was too hot
The participants requested the use of videos and other audio visuals
The participants asked to be given further training in Disaster Management in general and
Sphere in particular. They asked that the same group and not new people should form the
second phase of training
Participants requested for a follow up on their action plans or implementation of the sphere
project.
LIST OF TRAINING PARTICIPANTS
1.
JOYCE MODISE
2.
PULE KGOMPHIRI
3. FENYEZWA MANGINGIZA
4. KEARABETSWE MOKOBE
5. SEADIMO MATHEATAU
6. CECILIA MANYOKHO
7. MALEFU SEECO
8. MALEFU MOKONE
9. MERRIAM MATTHEWS
10. OLGA MASISI
11. PONTSHO RASIILE
12. RENEL SELLO
13. ANNA SEKONYELA
14. DIMAKATSO PHEKO
15. KINGSLEY NTHABI
16. SYLVIA NETTA
17. ZANELE NYAMAKAZI
18. MALEBURU MOSALA
19. MPHONYANA SETLAFANE
20. PETROS MOSHODI
21. EMMA MOHLAKANE
22. SUZAN MALEKE
23. MATSELENG JAFTA
24. BONYANE MTHWALO
25. TSHOLOFELO TLHATLOSI
26. MOEKETSI LEHAS
27. DANIEL THAGANE
28. KEKELETSO MAHASE
29. KEITUMENTSE MOLEHE
30. THAPELO MOSOAKA
31. PULE MATSIDIDI
32. AGNES NTHABISENG NDOMBELA
33. JOSIAS MASISI