FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

• You should be affiliated (as a volunteer or formally) with a Pavement Project partner organisation and endorsed by them. You can find the partnership agreement here.
• You will need a tablet or an Android smartphone, or a physical Green Bag, for the training programme and for regularly counselling children and young people. Minimum device specifications are listed below.
• You must make yourself available for full participation in training sessions and for individual study between sessions.
• You should have experience working with children or young people at risk.
• You must be emotionally mature enough to handle the traumatic stories of children.
• You should be sensitive to the children’s developmental stage and spiritual needs.
• You must be available to develop the capacity to counsel children individually, following best practices for child protection and appropriate conduct – Pavement Project’s code of conduct can be found here.
• You should have sufficient opportunities and time to use the Green Bag app regularly after certification (minimum four children per month).
• You must never have committed any abuse against children or young people.
• You must be older than 18.

The Green Bag is a therapeutic tool developed by psychologists specialised in childhood trauma. In individual sessions, children and young people share their experiences of trauma and pain. Using biblical stories, the sessions convey messages of love and restoration, supporting spiritual formation and emotional healing. In this way, holistic care is provided, without proselytising.

The training programme comprises both theory and practice, divided into eight modules with activities for individual study between sessions, totalling 44 course hours. Online training is delivered live over 10 meetings on the Zoom platform. If you prefer, you may also participate in in-person training, depending on availability in your region. Consult the training schedule for further information.

During the programme, each participant will have the opportunity to practice the methodology with a child from their own project under the supervision of a trainer and observed by other participants, with the child’s parent or guardian’s consent, to foster collective learning.

Participants who demonstrate that they are confident and prepared to counsel children and young people without supervision will be certified to do so. Those who do not yet feel confident may complete additional training and schedule another session to receive their certification. A participation certificate detailing the hours spent in the course will also be available upon request.

• Ensure you meet the necessary prerequisites to counsel at-risk children and young people. This includes the Partnership Agreement from your organisation or church and a letter of recommendation from the same. You can download the Partnership Agreement here; the responsible party from your organisation should complete and sign it.
• Select your preferred training group from the sessions available below.
• Complete the pre-registration form for the group you have selected. Registration will be confirmed after your prerequisites are reviewed and approved.
• Send the voucher for the one-time contribution of US $50.00 towards the training. Payment instructions will be provided after pre-registration.
• If you plan to use a tablet, confirm that you have one available for use during the training programme and after certification. Minimum specifications: Android 8.0, 1 GB RAM, 2.0 MP back camera.
• Ensure access to a computer and Internet connection for participation in live online training sessions.
• Have a child or young person from your project (partner organisation or church) available to participate in the playful activities with the Green Bag.

A tablet or smartphone must meet the following minimum specifications: Android 8.0, 7-inch screen, 8 GB of internal storage, 1 GB of RAM, and a 2.0 MP rear camera.