Mentorship that matters and relationship building for better virtual trainings: An interview with Millicent Kiruki, Health Systems Researcher, LVCT Health

President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), implemented a virtual HIV Prevention Ambassador Trainers' Workshop. The workshop aimed to equip participants with the necessary skills and knowledge to effectively implement HIV prevention programs. A key component of the workshop was the mentorship groups, which provided participants with an opportunity to connect with seasoned trainers and HIV Prevention Ambassador experts in a smaller setting. The mentorship groups were organized to facilitate open dialogue and foster a comfortable, casual environment where participants could speak frankly and have their questions answered. Participants were assigned to fixed groups throughout the five-day training, allowing them to build a safe space and become more open and willing to be themselves. The provided guidance on creating a safe space was helpful in achieving this goal. Millicent Kiruki, a mentor and trainer from LVCT Health in Kenya, participated in the mentorship component of the workshop. She expressed her enthusiasm for the mentorship groups, stating that they gave her an opportunity to form deeper connections with participants than in previous trainings. Kiruki appreciated the diversity of her group, which included participants from different districts and countries, allowing them to form networks and learn from one another. The mentorship groups were a crucial aspect of the workshop, providing participants with the support and guidance they needed to succeed. Kiruki suggested that future trainings maintain the mentorship groups, but with some modifications. She recommended stretching the mentorship groups to an hour to allow for more time to interact and learn from one another. Additionally, Kiruki emphasized the importance of self-care, suggesting that future trainings prioritize this aspect to prevent burnout among participants. The EpiC project's virtual HIV Prevention Ambassador Trainers' Workshop demonstrated the effectiveness of mentorship groups in virtual trainings. By providing participants with a safe space to connect and learn from one another, the mentorship groups played a crucial role in the success of the workshop. The project's experience and reflections on the design and delivery of the comprehensive training virtually offer valuable insights for future initiatives. The workshop's focus on HIV prevention and the importance of mentorship in virtual trainings are key takeaways from the EpiC project's experience. The project's commitment to providing high-quality training and support to participants is evident in the mentorship groups and the overall design of the workshop. The EpiC project's work has the potential to make a significant impact in the field of HIV prevention, and its experience with virtual trainings can inform future initiatives. The EpiC project's collaboration with PEPFAR and USAID has enabled the implementation of a comprehensive training program that addresses the needs of HIV prevention workers. The project's focus on mentorship and relationship building has created a supportive environment for participants to learn and grow. The EpiC project's work has the potential to improve the effectiveness of HIV prevention programs and contribute to the global effort to control the epidemic.