AFDC

The first day training focused on cheese processing with Dr. Chadi Mohanna. He introduced the animal farms care rules, milk production and saftey. During the training the participants had learned to prepare four kind of cheeses which are: Halloum, Baldi, Akawi and Mozzerela. Different ways processing recipes were introduced such as using microbial rennet, whey, yogurt and/or vinegar. The participants had worked with the trainer, in boiling the milk and learned about heating and cooling degrees using the thermometer, and what should the milk temperature based on the kind of cheese.

Mr. Nabil Sarriddine had introduced on the second day to the participants different aromatic and medicinal species presenting the parts that can be used in distillation or drying. The participants had learned the planting techniques, the law of harvesting, pruning based on the ministry of agriculture laws and recommendations. They have shown different distillery pots and learned the preferable ones and different available sizes, brands, and qualities. At the end, they used the rosemary leaves and flowers to be distilled.

A brief revision for day two was done on the third day, presenting the main points discussed during the previous day. Mrs Rima Bou Fakhreddine introduced the marketing methods to the participants. She defined marketing concepts such as marketing strategy, setting the goals and tactics, SWOT analysis through discussing their strength and weakness as well the opportunities and threats. Through group work, the participants had asked to write about the coop history, types of products, supply sources, local markets, workers, employee and members, branding the products and etc. they had understood the importance of knowing their potential and weaknesses that can be improved, the importance of designing stickers or labels for their products that presents their identity clearly and creatively. At the end of the day, the participants agreed on identifying the responsibilities among each other’s, roles and duties of each member in the coop.

AFDC

On the fourth day Mr. Nabil Sarriddine had trained the participants on the right methods to dry fruits and vegetable. He discussed with the participant’s different ways and tools or equipment to dry fruits and vegetable, sun light can be used or dehydrators or stoves. Furthermore, they have learned about the material they should use and preparation of fruits and vegetables. After the break the participants learned about composting they used the organic wastes and collected fruit peels, unwanted vegetables with some cardboards, and dried weed then set them in a pile to be composted. Finally, Mr. Sarriddine presented the kitchens maps approved by the ministry of Health and the ministry of Agriculture.

On the last day the participants learned about communication and conflict resolutions. In the first session they were requested to introduced themselves and their expectation of the training. After a deep discussion about problems faced during the work they have learned different ways to eliminate anger and communicate peacefully to solve it.

Through series of activities the participants had learned about different types of communication as verbal, nonverbal, visual, and written, words that can be used during conversation, voice tone and body language were discussed too. They also, experienced the effective communication, discussion, debating through games.  Additionally, the participants talked about conflict, misunderstanding prejudging that could happen during work or even during their daily life and how to overcome them. Through examples or scenarios of conflicts and suggested solutions. Furthermore, they had learned about internal and personal communication, communication between two, in one group or more, highlighting different behaviours and attitudes and presenting different scenarios.  

Through a set of exercises, the attendees were requested to discuss issues related to their interest, goals, friendships, work place, teamwork. At the end the attendees were enjoyed each session and learned a lot about the subject.