I am Vikrant, coordinator Avani Smile Team and SALT facilitator. I am excited that SALT is changing the way children in village Nandwal see themselves. My focus is now is on helping children recognize their strengths and dream for their future.

If I compare my earlier way of working with what what I do now through SALT there is a huge change. Earlier I used to go to schools to deliver gender equality modules, mostly for boys, sixteen weekly sessions per school. I went as a…

I had a conversation with Sai Ranjit Kondekar, a student from Nandwal village. He is currently studying in 7th standard. During the conversation, we discussed his daily life. Due to this conversation, he started talking freely. As the conversation progressed, Sai Kondekar started opening up more. Then what does his father do, he said that his father works as a painter, but my father goes to work early in the morning for us and takes care of our house. How does he take care of the house? This…

Today, I spoke to Venkatesh Patil and Sambhav Rumale, students from Nandwal village. Both of them are currently studying in 7th standard. During the discussion, we discussed his daily life, school. We also talked in detail about his interests and choices. Due to this conversation, he started talking freely.

As the conversation progressed, Venkatesh and Sambhav became more open. Then, what work do the two fathers do and how do they take care of the house? This was discussed. When he was…

I facilitated a SALT session with 80 children in Village Nandwal. Out of them, 20 children came together to dream about their village. Cleanliness emerged as their strongest concern. Sixteen children (7 boys and 9 girls) decided to take action.

With support from the Avani team, they…