In response to popular demand - and despite slow internet connections - I've asked a couple of partners to share some of their thoughts on the conference.  First, here is Mabel from MRDF partner Voluntary Action for Development in Uganda, and she says....

"Down on earth our MRDF donors, so simple that they are partners in development than donors. Not easily comparable to others.  In these past 5 days, their efforts have really enhanced our intepretation of concepts to reality and all has been wonderful. Understanding that am my own accountant, though a programme manager has been interesting, in addition to understanding that fostering participants' rights and obligations can best be done using the rights' based appraoch, other than the needs' driven approach . This was so amazing."

And Francis from CDVTA in Cameroon...

"The MRDF Strength to Strength Conference has been a remarkable success. The lessons learned, the skills shared and the networking that the conference provided to the African partners were greatly enriching, interactive and indeed endowed with all that development in the true sense of the words entails. To me, particularly, this has been history made for  this organization and partners; a history of remarkable idealism, commitment and dedication to the small miracles of transforming the lives of the world's most poorest and disadvantaged communities and its people."

And from Abisheck from Community Youth Mobilisation in Zambia...

"For 5 days, Africa came together.... What a wonderful conference we enjoyed with MRDF partners in Africa! My fellow participant from CYM asked me; 'what stories will l tell when l get back home?' I replied; 'we will talk about everything we have learned from the conference. The skills gained, lessons learned, interaction, experience sharing, the fun and the 'team building'. Please keep it up MRDF and thank you for this well prepared conference for our upbuilding." 

And hopefully more partners will be able to post later, but tonight is the last night and soon the singing, dancing and saying tearful goodbyes will begin....