From Trainee to Trainer: Nasolo on PJL's Preservice Educator Training

I still think back to the first time I went through the training to become a Projet Jeune Leader (PJL) Educator. It was such an incredible experience! It taught me so much and was a real turning point in my life.  Now, I’m the one leading that same training for the new cohorts of PJL comprehensive sexuality education (CSE) Educators!

My name is Nasolo, and I’m a Technical Assistant at PJL. This year, I led the initial training for wonderfully diverse groups — young people just starting their careers, teachers, and even professionals from other civil society organizations.

No matter their background, my goal is always the same: to give them everything they need to deliver the PJL program with quality, passion, and impact

A training to shape exceptional Educators

To give you a bit of context, everyone who’s about to deliver the PJL program goes through this initial, pre-service,  training. The training lasts four weeks, and it's led either by myself or Onja, my fellow Technical Assistant.

During the training, we go through every single lesson and share tons of tips and tools to help Educators strengthen their facilitation skills. We also dive into key themes that help them connect calmly and confidently with the young adolescents they’ll be working with, and with other stakeholders, too. We explore topics like nonviolent communication, trauma-informed counseling, advocacy, and safeguarding as these are all essential tools for creating safe, supportive spaces for learning.

My goal throughout these four weeks is simple: I want them to fully understand PJL's  CSE curriculum  and the values behind it, and to feel inspired by the impact it can have on young adolescents. More than anything, I want them to walk away ready to deliver it with energy, accuracy, and heart. One of our core values is enthusiasm! To be good CSE Educators, they need to feel energized by their mission — and by the fun, joy, and excitement involved in bringing it to life.

That’s really the foundation of our program’s quality  and what sets us apart. Our greatest strength lies in well-trained Educators, who deliver meaningful comprehensive sexuality education and serve as  trusted and trustworthy mentors for their younger peers. 

And beyond all that, these sessions are full of connection and learning. I always meet incredible people, and their feedback constantly inspires me to improve the way I lead the training.

“This training is really going to change the way I teach. Whether in my PJL classes or my Malagasy lessons, I’m going to use all the classroom management and participation techniques Nasolo taught us. I’m sure my students will love it!” — Private middle school Malagasy teacher, delivering the PJL program through the social franchise model.

The Preservice Training as A Reflection of PJL Classes

For me, the initial training is a bit like experiencing the PJL program in fast-forward — before participants get to teach it themselves.

Why? Because  the training follows the same principles as PJL classes:

It’s fully scripted, just like the  CSE curricula we teach to young adolescents. That way, I can deliver the same complete training to everyone without missing a thing. And, like our Educators, I can focus on what matters most — the interaction, the energy, and the exchange with the group.

It’s also dynamic and participatory. Just like in PJL classes, we think and learn together. We do icebreakers, group activities, role plays… all kinds of hands-on exercises. Not only does this make the sessions more fun and engaging, it also gives participants a real sense of what the atmosphere in a PJL class should feel like.

And most importantly, it’s about building future leaders. I like to think that I’m training leaders who will, in turn, inspire a new generation of changemakers in their communities. That’s something I’m truly proud of.

During the first part of the training, the future Educators step into the students’ shoes and experience the PJL program for themselves.

To lead the program effectively, you have to understand it first. That’s why this phase focuses on simulating every lesson from the PJL curriculum.

I play the role of the Educator, and they become the students. It’s one of my favorite parts of the training. They get to ask questions, watch how I manage the class, and most importantly, take in the values that PJL aims to share.

I still remember going through these simulations myself when I was training to become a PJL Educator. I learned so much. It convinced me right away of how important the program is. Honestly, I would have loved to take these classes when I was a teenager!

“Nasolo is an amazing trainer! I was so nervous on the first day, but within minutes of the class starting, all the stress disappeared. I realized I actually knew what to do, how to do it, and I felt totally confident. That’s all thanks to him!” — Camilla, PJL Educator

Training Ends, But the Relationship Doesn't

It’s truly an honor for me to pass on what I’ve learned and share my experience with a new generation of CSE Educators. I love watching them grow, gain confidence, and find their voice throughout the training.

Toward the end, they get to lead their own PJL class simulation — it’s one of the moments I always look forward to. That’s when everything we’ve covered comes together, and I often find myself thinking, “Wow, they’re ready!”

Even after the training, we stay in touch. Each Educator goes back to their own organization, but I continue to support them through follow-up coaching and ongoing training. We call each other regularly, talk about their challenges and successes, and we’ve even built an online community where everyone can share experiences, ideas, and small everyday wins.

It’s always such a joy to see them thrive in their work as CSE Educators. To me, that’s the best sign that I’ve done my job well.