It is something I am still wrapping my head around. Rwandans are obsessed with certificates. If they complete a training, even just a one day training, they would like a certificate stating that. Also from my limited exposure to refugees at the Lansing Refugee Development Center, I have seen this preoccupation with certificates there as well. After finishing a semester of English classes, the participants were overjoyed to receive a silly certificate made with ClipArt.
This brings up two issues. First of all, clearly it is not silly and I should get over my abhorrence of ClipArt. Value is all in the eyes of the beholder. These people hold that flimsy piece of paper in very high esteem… Oh there I go again. I was meant to write editorials and not non-biased news I suppose… But this brings me to the second point, what the certificate really means to them. The knowledge and the trainings are nothing if you don't have something to prove it happened. The power is in the paper, otherwise the experience is not solidified, not materialized, not brought into the light of reality. Having theoretical knowledge proves nothing.
I, on the other hand, represent a portion of the Western population who couldn't give two hoots about certificates (yes, Lauren that one was for you.) Sure, I have a diploma saying I graduated from college. Where is it? Well, I'm sure my mother thanklessly framed it and then I promptly stuck it in a box in the back of my closet. Certificates go on the same level as the ceremonies celebrating achievements. I hate 'em but they exist and it sure makes the family and friends smile. So maybe it's not about being presented with that certificate after a training. Maybe it's about the moment you pull it out of your bag and show it to your family. The moment your mom pulls you in for a hug and a tear slides down her cheek. Who cares if it has a little ClipArt on it.
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