On October 25, I had the opportunity to attend a Knowledge Fair organized by Bangladesh Rural Economic Development (BRED). It was an inspiring day filled with stories of transformation, hope, and collective action. Listening to the community groups share their journeys reminded me how deeply change begins from within — when people come together around a shared dream.…

The second Knowledge Fair 2025, organized by Bangladesh Rural Economic Development (BRED) and supported by the Global Fund for Children (GFC), was a day filled with learning, inspiration, and connection.

The main objective of this event was to share the stories of learning, experiences, and positive change…

Geeta Didi and Sumi Didi spoke with a tone of nervousness, saying, “Can we really speak properly? None of us have ever given an interview like this before.” With a smile, I softly told them, “Didi, why don’t you just sit on the set once and see?”

Today’s story is not about the community itself -it’s about those who bring the community to life. It’s about two of our incredible facilitators from ECDO (Ethnic Community Development Organisation) , Geeta Didi and Sumi…

বেশ কয়েক মাস আগে ব্যাসপুর কাটাখালি কমিউনিটিতে ম্যাস্কিউলিনিটি সল্টের মাধ্যমে আমার একটি টিম হয়েছিল। সেই টিমের নাম তারা দিয়েছিল পদ্ম। টিমে ৭ জন ছেলে আছে। আমি বেশ কিছু গ্রুপ সল্টের মাধ্যমে তাদের সাথে কথা বলেছিলাম কাজের মধ্যে ছোট-বড়, ছেলে-মেয়ে ভাগ আছে কিনা সেই সম্পর্কে।

৩ দিন আগে আমি দেখলাম, আমার টিমের ৫ জন ছেলে- রুদ্র বিশ্বাস, সম্রাট, রুদ্র দাস,…

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…

On Saturday, October 25th, at 5 am, in the morning breeze, I, Nishat Apu, Parvez Bhai and the GYRF team left for the colorful knowledge fair organized by "BRED" at Manjur Quader Degree College, Nakalia Bera, Pabna, to participate in the knowledge fair. GYRE brought with us their community Hijri Byaspur community member Afsana Apa and Salim Bhai (coordinator of the next school) so that they could learn from there and share their stories. We started the journey with joy and finally arrived…

It was men and boys who occupied cultural space during festivals. Avani, Global for Children partner in Kolhapur, Maharashtra (India), facilitated a process of reflection through the SALT approach, where adolescents, women, men, and mothers-in-law  realized their inner power but also the strengths in others which helped them to build a common dream, conduct self-assessment and action…

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…

কালী মায়ের আশীর্বাদে উদ্বোধন হলো ধারা লার্নিং সেন্টার।

২৪.০৭.২০২৪ থেকে ২৪ সালের ৩০ জুলাই—তারিখ পর্যন্ত ধারার প্রতিটি সদস্য একসাথে এক স্বপ্ন দেখেছিল। সেই স্বপ্ন ছিল ধারাকে আরও এক ধাপ এগিয়ে নেওয়ার। সবার আলাদা আলাদা ভাবনা মিলে তৈরি হয়েছিল এক বিশাল “স্বপ্নগুচ্ছ”, যার কেন্দ্রবিন্দু ছিল—ধারা লার্নিং সেন্টার।

কিন্তু স্বপ্ন বাস্তবায়নের পথে সবচেয়ে বড় চ্যালেঞ্জ ছিল জায়গা নির্ধারণ। কারণ, প্রতিটি জায়গার নিজস্ব সীমাবদ্ধতা আর চাহিদা থাকে। অনেক ভাবনা-চিন্তার পর অবশেষে…

The morning of October 25 was wrapped in the freshness of dawn. As the Alokito Kori team, we set out for Nakalia Manzur Kader Degree College in Bera, Pabna, to attend the BRED Knowledge Fair 2025.

It wasn’t just an event — it was a living example of how people are transforming their lives with their own hands, and how learning can unite entire communities.

The journey began with a deep sense of responsibility. I was in charge of ensuring everyone’s safety, comfort, and…

Hi everyone, I am Dheeraj from a Rural Aid organization sharing our hearty learning experience with each other about “ how transformative power plays a vital role towards collective leadership” in the organization. 

After engaging with SALT, staff observed that Mamina and Dhiraj…

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…

A young man from Nandwal village created a display during this year’s Ganesh festival that delivered a meaningful message to everyone.

Sameer Patil, a 23-year-old youth, is both a farmer and a businessman. Along with managing his family responsibilities, he is known for expressing thoughtful and well-informed opinions on various issues concerning the youth in the village.

The Ganesh festival holds great importance in India, showcasing unity and tradition in a beautiful…

‎‎চরবিন পাড়া কমিউনিটির কথা বললে এখন অনেকেই একটি নাম উচ্চারণ করেন, ‘জাগরণ’।

‎একটি দল, যেখানে বিশজন কিশোর-কিশোরী একসাথে স্বপ্ন দেখে, সাহস নিয়ে কাজ করে, আর সমাজে পরিবর্তনের বাতাস বইয়ে দেয়। তারা শুধু একটি ইয়ুথ টিম নয়, তারা এক নতুন প্রজন্মের প্রতিনিধি, যাদের হাত ধরে চরবিন পাড়া ধীরে ধীরে জেগে উঠছে অন্ধকার থেকে আলোয়। এই ছেলে-মেয়েরা কেউ বড় শহরে বেড়ে ওঠেনি।…

Yesterday, on the 25th of October, we had the humble privilege of visiting Nakalia Monjur Kader Degree College in Bera, Pabna, to learn from the BRED community at their Knowledge Fair. Our small group — me, Facilitator Manira apa, Shadman bhai, Selim bhai (Coordinator, Pahariapara…

আমি মনিষা দাস, আশীর্বাদ অর্গানাইজেশনের একজন গর্বিত ফ্যাসিলিটেটর। কমিউনিটিতে যখন প্রথম সল্ট কনভারসেশনের জন্য গিয়েছিলাম, তখন এলাকাটা আমার কাছে ছিল একেবারেই নতুন ও অন্যরকম। মানুষ, পরিবেশ—সব কিছু যেন অপরিচিত লাগছিল। কিন্তু ধীরে ধীরে যখন সবার সঙ্গে কথা বলতে শুরু করলাম, হাসিমুখে তাদের জীবনের গল্প শুনলাম, তখন এক অদ্ভুত বন্ধন তৈরি হলো।

এখন মনে হয়, এ যেন আমার নিজেরই একটি পরিবার। এমনও হয় যে, একদিন যদি এলাকায় না যাই, পরদিন মানুষজন ভালোবাসা নিয়ে জিজ্ঞেস করে—

“আপনাকে দেখি নাই গত…

Hello friends, hope everyone had a wonderful Diwali and enjoyed it to the fullest.

Today, during a SALT session in the Basa Line area of Bhatpara Tea Garden with 17-year-old Tushar Chik Baraik, the dialogue on masculinity was truly inspiring.

Through the SALT session, the strengths emerging from Tushar ji – such as ‘caring for…

One day, we had a group discussion with the idolization girls of the Santal community in the village of Kewdaha. A total of 18 adulation girls from the village were present in this discussion meeting. Then we had a dream with them and then we asked them, "You have a lot of power to do something, how will you use this power for the village?"…

In Kewdha, an indigenous Santhal village,  elderly members of the village council called Manjhiharam have shown forward thinking. They believe that if everyone in the community shared the same mindset, village development would be certain. Over the past few years, they observed that many children and youth in the village were spending too much time on mobile phones, wandering around aimlessly, and some had even started getting involved with drugs. The number of students attending school was…

Hello friends! I hope you all are doing very well.

A few days ago, I had a meaningful conversation with a 20-year-old young man named Gaurabh Oraon in the Nichhe Line area of Bhatpara Tea Garden. This dialogue took place during a SALT session focused on the topic of “Masculinity.” What I learned from this conversation truly touched my heart and gave me fresh insights to share.…