The word ENTRENA comes from “entrenar” in Spanish which means to train. We originally emerged as a training organization and training continues to be a key service of ENTRENA.

Our training skills are unique and competitive because:

• We bridge cultural and socio-economic gaps during our training programs. We are experienced in relating to different target populations and untapping the talents of diversity.
  
  
• We link training to performance. Organizations invest in training because it should improve performance thereby increasing profits and enhancing services.
  
  
• We apply training in the field in real life, experiential, and adult learning situations. We are as comfortable at a village or community level as in a well equipped training facility.
  
  
• We can design and manage comprehensive training programs or components thereof such as designing training objectives, evaluation criteria, or training of trainers workshops.

Whatever your training needs in the Dominican Republic, ENTRENA may be your solution. 

For more information on our training background, contact John Seibel or select one of the following options.

Phone: (809) 567-8990
Fax: (809) 566-3492
E-Mail johnseibel@entrena.org



EXPERIENCE IN TRAINING

• Experience in Peace Corps Training
  
• Experience in Training for Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs)
  
• Disaster Prevention and Mitigation 
  
• America Planning Association 
  
• Dominican Government Agencies 
  
  

PEACE CORPS TRAINING

 

PEACE CORPS TRAINING- DOMINICAN REPUBLIC

Since January, 1982, ENTRENA has provided comprehensive training and program development to Peace Corps operations in the Dominican Republic. These contracted services have been awarded through competitive bidding. Over 1400 participants have received training in intensive 12 to 16 week cycles carried out in sites throughout the country. Each cycle required extensive coordination with Dominican development agencies and community organizations, field research, and preparation of training designs representing a cross-section of sectoral competencies.

All cycles involved the integration and teamwork of an average 15 full-time staff and 30 local consultants and technical specialists and a host of community leaders. The project has required complex logistics management and budgeted expenditure control of over US$3.5 millions. Specific activities include:

• Development sectors covering community economic development, agro-forestry, natural resource management, rural water and sanitation systems, grassroots health and child survival, community and environmental education, community and household food production, income and employment generation, and education covering community promotion, specialized needs, and information technology.
  
• Dominican contemporary themes, communication skills development, cross-cultural adjustment, and personal health issues.
  
• Spanish as a foreign language covering both competency and proficiency skills.
  
• Secondary skill workshops on natural resources, AIDS prevention and education, informal sector and employment generation, mixed gardening, disaster mitigation and prevention, information technology, appropriate technology.
  
• Development themes related to sustainability, community development, empowerment, skill building, project design and management, gender and development, and information gathering tools.

The ENTRENA model stresses training at the community level complemented by specific skill acquisition at regional and community centers.

• Over 60 community and field based technical trainings in different technical sectors. 
  
• Creation of extensive bank of homestay families totaling over 200 in urban and rural areas. The family immersion program is a fundamental part of the ENTRENA focus. Includes recruitment, selection, and orientation of families and matching family activities (i.e. economic, community leadership, etc.) with trainee needs. 
  
• Utilization of over 20 different rural training sites such as Centro Padre Julio in Las Matas de Farfán, Centro CAOTACO in Matayaya, Centro Cacique in Monción, Plan Sierra outside of San José de Ocoa, Centro de Recursos Naturales in Jimenoa, and others.
  
• Preparation of generic and sector specific training manuals with comprehensive training session designs and evaluation formats.

On going training during volunteer service is provided to improve language skills, strengthen relationships with host Dominican project partners, and develop skills in project management.

Peace Corps training requires extensive networking of resources by Entrena. These include Dominican government agencies, NGOs, international and local consultants, and community leaders. Despite the complicated logistical challenges, special attention is given to the personal safety and health needs of each participant.


PEACE CORPS TRAINING - HONDURAS

From January, 1993 through August, 1998 ENTRENA through ENTRENA, Inc., a sister corporation in Wisconsin, was awarded two contracts to carry out training activities for Peace Corps in Honduras. The entire 6 year contract encompassed over 600 participants in 18 intensive 12 week training programs with a budget exceeding US$3,000,000. Similar in technical scope to the Peace Corps training activities in the Dominican Republic, the project involves the establishment of a local Honduran company (ENTRENA de Honduras), extensive cash flow management, over 20 full-time staff, and the inclusion of a large sub-contract component for technical training. In addition to the 18 PST cycles carried out in Honduras, a total of 2 cycles were also carried out for Peace Corps in Nicaragua.


NON-GOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATIONS (NGOS)

ENTRENA's experience in NGO training are the result of it’s 10 year management of the USAID sponsored PVO/NGO Co-Financing and Hurricane Georges Reconstruction project from 1991 through 2001.

Over 200 NGOs and PVOs benefited from these training and technical assistance activities. ENTRENA used its managerial expertise to create training teams and consortiums from a variety of networks This included private consultants, universities, NGO expertise, the DR private sector, and US and DR government agencies.

Examples of these training programs were the following:

• NGO Financial Sustainability – A key challenge for NGOs in Latin America is on-going financial sustainability once international donations disappear. ENTRENA focused training on local fund-raising, constituency and volunteer cultivation, alternative income services, and networking.
  
• Proposal Design – ENTRENA evaluated over 300 proposals and concept papers from NGOs requesting funding. We can train in the logical framework system and help NGOs put together convincing concept papers and winning proposals.
  
• Environmental Guidelines – As the first NGO project to require environmental guidelines, we can provide training in their design and application related to hillside agriculture and water/sanitation projects.
  
• Budgeting and Audits – The majority of our NGOs received mid-term and final audits. NGOs need the capability to link technical objectives to costs and correctly budget monetary values for in-kind contribution and community participation.
  
• Networking – Development of consortia and networking into resources is another ENTRENA strength. Strategies that require co-financing or multiple financing are the future for non-profit organizations.

DISASTER PREVENTION AND MITIGATION (DPM)

The devastation caused by Hurricane Georges in September 1998 illustrated the need for the Dominican Republic to develop nationwide training programs in dealing with natural disasters.

As a result of ENTRENA’s leadership role in the USAID sponsored Hurricane Georges Reconstruction project and as a subcontractor in the IDB Dominican government – Abt Associates DPM education initiative, we have the capability to provide training in:

• DPM Networking and Linkage – We can institutionally strengthen the disaster response networks between donors, government agencies , NGOs, and local communities. These networks encompass relief , reconstruction and education.
  
• Specialized DPM Technical Areas – In conjunction with US government agencies (USDA, Forest Service, Army Corps of Engineers) or Dominican institutions (FAMA, FUNDOCAFE), ENTRENA provided training workshops in DPM and reconstruction themes such as community organization for mitigating, disasters, rural road maintenance, watershed protection, specialty coffee rehabilitation, and production and marketing of agricultural organic products.
  

AMERICAN PLANNING ASSOCIATION (APA)

ENTRENA teamed up in 2001 with the American Planning Association (APA) to carry out 3 separate workshops on “Fundamentals of Site Planning” for 100 Dominican professionals from the areas of urban planning and construction.

APA, the largest association of professional planners in the United States, was contracted by the US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to develop training programs for countries ravished by Hurricanes Georges and Mitch on appropriate site planning.

Workshop activities included development of a participant workbook and options for continued distance learning focused on:

• Understanding natural features and site constraints.
  
• Health and safety considerations in site housing.
  
• Site design approaches that maximize sustainable development.
  
• Ways for improving site construction methods.

ENTRENA services covered logistics, audience identification, recruitment and marketing, and trainer assistance. Results from the workshop demonstrate the need to emphasize the fundamentals of site planning in heavily populated developing nations exposed to natural disasters.


DOMINICAN REPUBLIC GOVERNMENT AGENCIES (GODR)

ENTRENA enjoys a productive history of networking with GODR agencies. Our experience with USAID, IDB and Peace Corps projects has fostered relationships with the GODR such as:

• Secretariado Técnico de la Presidencia (STP) – Review of NGO proposals, disaster prevention and mitigation.
  
• Secretario de Estado de Salud Pública (SESPAS) – Coordination of community resources for implementation of AIEPI (Atención Integral a las Enfermedades Prevalentes de la Infancia).
  
• Instituto Nacional de Agua Potable y Alcantarillado (INAPA) – Training in the creation of ASOCAR (Community Water Committees) and behavioral change in water projects.
  
• Secretaría de Estado de Educación (SEE) – Information technology, community participation and school maintenance.
  
• Plan Presidencial Contra la Pobreza (PPCP) – Design of special batey initiative using lessons learning from reconstruction and integrating GODR, civil society, and private sector.
  
• Unidad de Seguimiento a la Política Social (USPS) – Assistance in designing strategies for poverty elimination.

During 2002, ENTRENA has provided training in the project “Jóvenes por la Paz” sponsored by the Despacho de la Primera Dama. An initiative of the First Ladies of Latin America , "Jóvenes por la Paz” develops youth leadership, civic responsibility, and responsible citizenship for the future. ENTRENA has carried out workshops for over 130 students leaders from vocational schools in low-income neighborhoods. Themes include self-esteem, family, volunteer service, dignity, solidarity, and justice. Participants are expected to become catalysts for change in their communities.