Inaugural Leadership Development Retreat
Entrust was thrilled to host our first Leadership Development Retreat for partners from Thailand, Cambodia and Myanmar in Chiang Mai, Thailand in November 2023. The Retreat saw 33 overseas partners and Entrust staff come together for a live-in 3-day gathering. The idea grew over the past few years (delayed by COVID!) to bring partners together to learn, share, grow and build relationships with each other and the Entrust team. The Retreat focussed on the theme “Lead from where you are”. Given the hard conditions our partners face daily, leading a team can be challenging, personally and corporately.
Partners came from a variety of backgrounds and situations – urban, rural, remote, hot, mountainous places, slum areas, areas experiencing war, to name a few! Some lead anti-trafficking organisations, some clean water projects and others economic empowerment and education projects – the four focus areas of Entrust community development. Partners in Myanmar have suffered under military rule since a coup in February 2021, leading to widespread unrest, increased poverty, food and job insecurity and lawlessness. Despite their different countries and settings, it was a joy for participants to realise the breadth and depth of projects over 15 years which has led to improved lives for tens of thousands+!
Former CEO Richard Beaumont headed up a teaching series over the three days – Day 1 Lead Yourself, Day 2 Lead Your Team, Day 3 Lead Your Community. We combined group teaching and break-out groups to enable input from participants. Other sessions included teaching by selected partners and Project Managers Jenny and Kate.
A highlight of the trip was a visit to partners Integrated Tribal Development Foundation (ITDF), whose headquarters are in Chiang Mai. We have partnered with ITDF for 8 years to bring clean water to thousands of disadvantaged minority tribal groups living in the mountainous region between Thailand and Myanmar. ITDF also runs a coffee co-operative, so 33 people ordered speciality frappes, cappuccinos, mochas and lattes of every description at their Lanna Cafe!
It wasn’t all hard work and we had opportunities to visit a night market, swim and play a bit of table tennis! And who doesn’t like Thai food? For many it was a much-needed break and a chance to breathe and re-set.
In feedback, participants said it “exceeded their expectations”. Panha from Cambodia said “now my spirit, soul and body are full again”. Tewan from Thailand said it taught him to think about the three Rs, “refresh, recharge and rethink”. Mu Mu from Myanmar reflected, “through the lessons, I have had the opportunity to reflect on myself – the weaknesses and strengths”. Many said they needed to lead “balanced lives”, understanding that leadership can be all consuming when there are few boundaries. The constant threat of burnout is real.
Due to the success of the inaugural Retreat, Entrust is planning a second retreat for partners from Bangladesh, Laos and Indonesia in November 2024. We can’t wait!
