Final Blog for the MNLI

We arrived home safely on Wednesday, January 12th, but I've not been able to blog since Sunday. Between the jet lag and computer glitches, I'm behind, but do want to recall what happened to us those last few days in Maputo.

Monday was a full day of leadership sessions, beginning with Kerry's presentation on how to give a persuasive speech. Her speech, was indeed, "persuasive" and quite entertaining. Following her speech the groups worked to prepare and present a speech, to convince others to join ANEMO.

And, we did join - we joined as lifetime, honorary members! ANEMO enthusiastically received us into their organization, and were thrilled to become an international organization with us as honorary members.

David's session was on Situational Leadership, and teams, with various situational challenges, built towers of plastic cups - with points assigned for height criteria. The story of how David was able to acquire disposable cups is a charming one - as cups were nowhere to be found in the grocery story. They bought cups from a street vendor, much to the boy's surprise.

The Leadership Institute ended on Monday - and in drawing to a close, there was much enthusiasm, joy, and celebration for the newfound friendships and professional relationships found in Maputo.

Our U.S. contingent left Tuesday afternoon, but not before Kerry and I could visit the Maputo Central Hospital...and get stuck in an elevator with no fan and scorching heat. It didn't take long to save us! Photos below.

It was an emotional parting, as we said good-bye to our AONE and ANEMO partners and friends. Our work with ANEMO has been gratifying and we look forward to the time our teams will be together again - in August.

MNLI on Sunday

Today was a short day as it was Sunday in Mozambique. We began the day with a prayer and a song led by one of the ANEMO leaders. The "check in" that Pam, David, and MT do at the beginning of class asked

participants to say what they had done the day before - some rested, some spent the day with family...yet a number of them said they "reflected" on ANEMO and what they'd learned. Everyday here has been so meaningful - just to watch the growth in confidence, commitment, and courage to make the changes in nurses that they want and need to see made.

Pam Thompson presented them with some essential concepts in Strategic Planning, encouraging them to further prioritize their goals for the organization in 3-5 years. Initially they worked in their small groups, and came up with a list of 3 priority areas. Each group reported on those top 3 priorities, and then a smaller list was made that drew out the 7 major concepts: 1) Recruitment of new members, 2) ANEMO visibility, 3) Leadership Training, 4) Generating revenue through sale of products, 5) Build an ANEMO headquarters, 6) Build nursing schools, and 7) Plan for sustainability.

Then, in a purely democratic process, Pam, led the session asking each individual nurse to identify his or her top 3 priorities from the list of 7. Overwelmingly, the group identified the key strategic areas to address and these were recruiting new members, providing leadership training, and planning for sustainability. Though these concepts notably overlap, it was a clear summary of areas ANEMO desires to focus their strengths and move forward into the future.

After lunch, Kerry and I met with Herminia, Jose, Lidia, and Maria, three ANEMO leaders to disuss our ANEMO-St. Luke's partnership. Sandra Guiambe form the AIHA offices translated for us. Our goal was to go over the partnership's last work plan-- in order for newest board members to begin to consider how we will work on it when ANEMO comes to the US. Especially useful will be the strategic planning work that we did with Pam today. Although we do not know who will be coming to Bethlehem from ANEMO, we expect to know that soon.

In the afternoon we shopped a bit. In the evening we had dinner at a lovely Italian restaurant near the Hotel Avenida in the evening. It was a sweet end to a beautiful day.

MNLI Institute January 8

Today was my class day. An especial highlight for me was giving the morning welcome in Portuguese, albeit brief and translated with Google Translator! I sensed from their warm laughter that it was a highlight for them as well. We do have two professional translators who are expert in synchronous translation of our discussions - Portuguese to English, and English to Portuguese! I just wanted to give it a try - Bruno, an AIHA In-Country representative said my pronunciation was good. Yay!

During today's session, I described the work of our ANEMO-St. Luke's-Moravian College partnership to date. The participants also discussed and presented their priorities for: 1) improving ANEMO's and nurse's visibility in Mozambique, 2) strengthening nurses relationships with others concerned with health care in Mozambique and other African nation, 3) developing strategies for member recruitment and retention, and 4) creating a business plan to promote ANEMO's sustainability. These were the goals/objectives that ANEMO and St. Luke's-Moravian parteners developed initially and which continue to be relevant now. Overwhelmingly the desire to be better educated came through - to have training, create learning centers, and develop nursing schools around the country. Several nurses said that when the people of Mozambique view the professional skills of well-educated nurses, nursing's image will improve and the work be recognized. Kerry diligently recorded all of the wonderful responses from the groups.

There was glorious singing and dancing at several points during the day. I love that - even though we don't always understand the words being sung, we understand the human-connecting rhythms of the music and the dance:)

It wasn't a good day...it was really a great day!

Our colleagues and I went shopping - they lasted longer than me, in the markets in 98 degree temperature! Seems all are satisfied with their purchases. And, in the evening we returned to our favorite seafood restaurant. (It's the one we went to, Michele and Maria, the first time our MZ partners took us to lunch...by the sea, with windows all around.) Kerry adores the Dover sole as she writes in her blog:)

Our group at dinner - lizard in the middle photo:)

Some Photos from MNLI Day 2

Just took a couple of photos today...of Kerry and I with Sandra Guiamba, AIHA In-Country Representative, and a view from our rooms of the pool (which we've not time to use) and the "IO" as Commander Cheever refers to the Indian Ocean!

Day Two of MNLI

This was our second day of the second phase of our Mozambican Nursing Leadership Institute (MNLI) program. I believe that today's objectives were at least met, if not exceeded in all aspects. Our AONE colleagues had our ANEMO colleagues take the Thomas-Killman Conflict Mode Instrument. Our Mozambican nursing friends seem to value hands-on experiences in much the same way we American nurses value it. They were engaged, positive, and asked many excellent questions. When they broke into groups to discuss, analyze, and evaluate cases that involved conflict, they readily rose to the task. Other educational sessions that targeted how to plan a meeting and how to develop an organizational program budget were similarly well received and assimilated.

I am surprised how little a barrier the differences in languages are between us. We have very skilled interpreters who are an immense help. I think that we are also connecting on a more fundamental, non-verbal level, which is immensely satisfying. Dr. Hoffman has obviously made such a positive connection with so many of them over the years - it is gratifying to see that she is so ingratiated as part of their family.

At the conclusion of today's program, our ANEMO colleagues began to discuss strategies to develop their own leadership training initiatives. I believe that the seeds planted are already sprouting new growth!

We did have a bit of a surprise. The program officer for HRSA (HRSA funds AIHA and ANEMO and our twinning partnership) showed up rather unexpectedly to monitor our operations. Evidently, this is part of the process, similar to Joint Commission inspections (i.e., unannounced periodic visits). Guess we drew the lucky card! I say this somewhat tongue-in-cheek. Though we were a bit anxious and taken aback at first that we were subject to Washingtonian inspection here in Maputo, our program officer is truly a very gracious and lovely person, who appears impressed with our projects and progress. It is nice to see the flag waved here and we are eager to continue to receive her feedback.

AND - the seafood here is terrific for any/all of you who enjoy nautical fare. I had a sole dinner last night that was delicious and prawns tonight that were each the size of a terrier!

First Day of MNLI

Today was the first day of this second sessions of the leadership institute and it was a great day! Pamela Thompson, M.T. Meadows, and David Marshall are the primary faculty, providing the content, role modeling, interactive learning, group facilitation, and relational experiences that will serve to develop nurse leaders in this country. The ANEMO members are positive and enthusiastic in all they have learned about developing themselves as leaders - from the first institute last August. A highlight today was listening to the leadership strategies and programs that they provided to nurse managers and chiefs since August, in their individual communities and provincial areas.

We were welcomed today by the "Permanent Secretary" for the Minister of Health. That in itself was a very fine honor, as the nurses stood and sang their national anthem, and he offered works of support and encouragement for their assuming of leadership roles in health care.

Kerry and I are pleased to be here and will offer some class sessions later ourselves. The institute runs through Monday, with time off on Sunday...and we are enjoying our time with our AONE and ANEMO friends and colleagues very much. It is quite satisfying for us, as I'm sure it is for Michele and Maria and many of you, to have participated in ANEMO's activities over the past two years.

Our Welcome to the Mozambican Nurses Leadership Institute (MNLI)

It's been a whirlwind two days. Yesterday we arrived in Maputo, relatively well rested from our night in Johannesburg. We met up with our AONE partners, Pamela Thompson, M.T. Meadows, and David Marshall and were escorted to a lovely welcome reception given to us by ANEMO. Kerry pointed out the blending of cultures in Santa Claus's and the African Statues which we saw. We just know you'll enjoy the sight!