On November 9, 2025, the community of Bhatpara Tea Garden’s Basa Line came together for a heartfelt SALT (Support, Appreciate, Learn, and Transfer) session facilitated by Rural Aid Organisation. The …

[Nityam Ghosh]

On November 9, 2025, the community of Bhatpara Tea Garden’s Basa Line came together for a heartfelt SALT (Support, Appreciate, Learn, and Transfer) session facilitated by Rural Aid Organisation. The day was filled with laughter, learning, and deep reflection as women from the community led the discussion with passion and purpose.

To set the tone, the facilitator began with a simple yet joyful ice-breaking activity—asking everyone about their favorite food and something good that had recently happened in their lives. As participants shared their little joys, a friendly and comfortable environment blossomed, inviting even the quietest voices to open up.

Stories of Strength and Reflection

As the session unfolded, community members shared stories that made them proud of themselves and their neighbors. Through these stories, they recognized the strength and resilience that already existed within their community—strength that often went unnoticed amidst daily struggles.

Encouraged by each other’s reflections, the group moved into a “Dream Discussion,” exploring the collective dreams that could shape their future. Their responses were both touching and insightful, revealing a strong sense of shared purpose.

Dreams for a Better Tomorrow

One dream was to live in a healthy environment. As one woman explained, maintaining good health allows them to care for their families and continue their work in the tea garden, which sustains their livelihood. Another participant added that good health also means saving money otherwise spent on treatments.

Education emerged as another shared dream. The women agreed that education is the foundation of progress. “The world has changed,” one participant said. “Those who are not educated struggle to 

communicate and travel. Everyone—young or old—should be educated.” Another beautifully compared education to a strong house that stands for generations.

Cultural preservation was also close to the participants’ hearts. Many expressed concern that the younger generation is losing touch with cultural and religious traditions. To address this, they discussed coming together to build a temple as a symbol of unity and cultural continuity.

Lastly, the women spoke about solidarity among themselves. They emphasized the need for shared understanding and mutual support, especially to address issues like domestic violence. “When we stand together,” one participant said, “we gain the strength to face local challenges and bring change.”

Reflection and Learning Together

To close the day, an After Experience Reflection (AER) was conducted to gather feedback. Participants shared that they appreciated the opportunity to come together, discuss meaningful topics, and strengthen their sense of community. Many expressed joy at having open discussions on issues that they rarely talked about despite seeing each other daily.

They also shared suggestions to make future sessions even better—such as discussing more local issues, encouraging everyone to speak up, and ensuring meetings start on time.

A Step Toward Collective Action

The SALT session at Bhatpara Basa Line was more than just a community meeting; it was a moment of awakening. The women’s active participation and thoughtful reflections demonstrated a growing awareness, unity, and confidence to take collective action for their community’s well-being.

Their dreams give hope that, together, they can shape a future grounded in health, education, culture, and solidarity.