Sixteen ScaleUp! Interns finished their first week of the Lebanon WAKIB ScaleUp Training on Friday May 8, 2009.  Eleven men and 5 women learned faciliation skills, applied coaching techniques, practiced their ICT delivery skills with 4 DOT business/ICT modules and presented their goals and action plans for the first four months of their ScaleUp Internships.  Most Interns range in age from 21 to 28; one Intern is 40.  They have high ICT skills and university degrees or diplomas in business, ICT or related field. Two have Mater's Degrees. Many are very active either professionally or personally in their communities, working with women and youth. They were proposed for ScaleUp by sponsoring community organizations and selected by WAKIB Program Manager Maria Assi after a rigourous interview process. The Interns come from communities in Beirut, Bekkaa Valley, Tripoli, Saida and Tyre.

The YMCA-Lebanon, DOT's partner in the WAKIB project,  provided a Lead Trainer, Mr. Pierre Filfili. His excellent facilitation skills helped the Interns absorb a large amount of material in a short time. It was a pleasure to work with him. The WAKIB ISMs Rami Allaw and Rhea Azoury did an excellent job of organizing the logistics.

It has been enjoyable to watch their knowledge and friendships with each other grow. 

During Week 2, the Interns will sharpen their ICT and Business skills using tools and templates suitable for small and medium sized business owners and get additional experience in coaching and public presentation.