Everyone's stories - Community life competence2024-03-19T07:22:14Zhttps://aidscompetence.ning.com/profiles/blog/feed?xn_auth=noChildren also want to say. Children can say.tag:aidscompetence.ning.com,2024-03-18:2028109:BlogPost:2108362024-03-18T11:30:00.000ZSanti rambarihttps://aidscompetence.ning.com/profile/Santirambari
<p><a href="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/12401858882?profile=original" rel="noopener" target="_blank"><img class="align-full" src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/12401858882?profile=RESIZE_710x"></img></a></p>
<p dir="ltr">It was as part of the baseline of the GFC community-led ARC initiative using SALT and CLCP that we sat down with some 9- to 13-year-olds to find out their thinking. The beautiful moments with them inspired me too. I realized some of my wrong decisions and weaknesses at that moment. Which I will never do for the rest of my life. As I often…</p>
<p><a href="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/12401858882?profile=original" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/12401858882?profile=RESIZE_710x" class="align-full"/></a></p>
<p dir="ltr">It was as part of the baseline of the GFC community-led ARC initiative using SALT and CLCP that we sat down with some 9- to 13-year-olds to find out their thinking. The beautiful moments with them inspired me too. I realized some of my wrong decisions and weaknesses at that moment. Which I will never do for the rest of my life. As I often tell my sons don't play with them. will study They will fight then their parents will come to fight which I don't like at all. But I was wrong too. Children must be released. Let it grow up on its own. Some problems can be solved with strategy. Some problems can be avoided. But there should be no words or actions that disturb children's minds.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Today three children were saying that we are studying in a good school in the city. Many people don't want to be friends with us. don't want to mix We say sit with us they don't sit. Want to know why? All three say we are Harizon. Hearing this, my heart sank. Even in 2024 there is so much inequality. Where did the students who are discriminating learned these things? Who planted them in their minds? Surely their family. When they were saying the words with full heart, I could not explain what I was suffering in words or in writing. I ask again, what other problems do you have? They say there is no field in our game. Parents don't want to go to other places to play. I do that too. My child will go away to play. If something happens, it's scary.</p>
<p dir="ltr">I told them that your parents are afraid like me.They started saying again in the small area of the area, if we play sports now, say if someone's door hits the window, they ball. Then there was a quarrel with the elders. Some children said we like to dance and sing. Parents are busy with their work. It is no use telling them that they cannot pay for their studies, how can they learn music and dance. But they have many talents. Some can dance well, some can sing. Anyone can play. These talents are being lost due to a little unconscious environmental education and discrimination. At the end of the discussion we were able to pull off a beautiful ending. I was able to be the strength to hold their morale. I learned too. In fact we always love to teach or tell. But what I understood from the discussion with the children today is that if you can mix with the children, you and I can learn a lot.</p>
<p> </p>
<p dir="ltr">এটি SALT এবং CLCP ব্যবহার করে GFC সম্প্রদায়ের নেতৃত্বে ARC উদ্যোগের বেসলাইনের অংশ হিসেবে আমরা ৯ থেকে 13 বছরের কিছু শিশুদের নিয়ে বসেছিলাম তাদের মনের কথা তাদের চিন্তাশক্তি জানার জন্য। ওদের সাথে সুন্দর মূহুর্তগুলো আমাকেও অনুপ্রানিত করেছে। আমার কিছু ভুল সিদ্ধান্ত ও দূর্বলতা আমি ওই মূহুর্তে বুঝতে পেরেছি। যা আমি আমার বাকী জীবনে কখনো করবো না। যেমন আমি আমার ছেলেদের প্রায়ই বলতাম ওদের সাথে খেলবে না। পড়াশুনা করবে। ওরা মারামারি করবে তখন ওদের বাবামা আসবে ঝগড়া করতে যেটা আমি মুটেই পছন্দ করি না। তবে আমিও ভুল ছিলাম। শিশুদের ছেড়ে দিতে হবে। নিজের মত করে বড় হতে দিতে হবে। কিছু সমস্যা কৌশলে সমাধান করা যায়। কিছু ঝামেলা এড়িয়ে যাওয়া যায়। তবে এমন কিছু কথা বা কাজ করা উচিত নয় যা শিশুদের মনে বাধা সৃষ্টি হয়। আজকে তিনজন শিশু বলছিল আমরা শহরের ভালো স্কুলে লেখাপড়া করছি। আমাদের সাথে অনেকেই বন্ধুত্ব করতে চায়না। মিশতে চায়না। আমরা বলি আমাদের সাথে বসো তারা বসে না। কারণ জানতে চাই কেন? তিনজনই বলে আমরা হরিজন তাই। কথাটি শুনে আমার হৃদয় কেদে উঠে। 2024 সালে এসেও এত বৈষম্য। যে ছাত্র ছাত্রীরা বৈষম্য করছে তারা এগুলো শিখেছে কোথায়। তাদের মনে এগুলো কে স্থাপন করেছে। নিশ্চয়ই তাদের পরিবার। ওরা যখন ভরাক্রান্ত মনে কথাগুলো বলছিল আমার যে কি কষ্ট হচ্ছিল তা লিখে বা বলে বুঝাতে পারবো না। আবার প্রশ্ন করি তোমাদের আর কিকি সমস্যা হয়। তারা বলে আমাদের খেলায় মাঠ নেই। অন্য জায়গায় বাবা মা খেলতে যেতে দিতে চায় না। যে কাজটা আমিও করি। আমার সন্তান দূরে খেলতে যাবে। যদি কিছু হয় ভয় লাগে। ওদের বললাম তোমাদের বাবা মা আমার মত ভয় পায়।</p>
<p dir="ltr">ওরা আবার বলতে শুরু করলো এলাকায় ছোট জায়গা আমরা এখনে খেলাধূলা করলে বল কারো দরজা জানালায় লাগলে বকাবকি করে। তখন বড়দের সাথে ঝগড়া হয়। কিছু শিশুরা বললো আমাদের নাচতে গান করতে ভালো লাগে। বাবা মা তো তাদের কাজ নিয়ে ব্যস্ত। তাদেরকে বললে লাভ নেই তারা পড়াশোনার খরচ দিতে পারেনা গান নাচ শিখাবে কি করে। অথচ এদের মাঝে অনেক প্রতিভা আছে। কেউ ভালো নাচতে পারে কেউ গান গাইতে পারে। কেউ খেলতে পারে। এই প্রতিভা গুলো একটু অসচেতনা পরিবেশ শিক্ষা ও বৈষম্যের কারণে নষ্ট হয়ে যাচ্ছে। আলোচনার শেষ প্রান্তে সুন্দর একটি ইতি আমরা টানতে পেরেছি। ওদের মনোবল ধরে রাখা শক্তি হতে পেরেছি। শিখেছি আমিও। আসলে আমরা সবসময়ই শিখাতে বা বলতে পছন্দ করি। তবে আজকে শিশুদের সাথে আলোচনা করে যা বুজলাম শিশুদের সাথে মিশতে পারলে আপনি আমি আমরাও অনেক কিছু শিখতে পারবো।</p>
<p dir="ltr"> </p>The thoughts of teenagerstag:aidscompetence.ning.com,2024-03-17:2028109:BlogPost:2108302024-03-17T16:00:00.000ZSanti rambarihttps://aidscompetence.ning.com/profile/Santirambari
<p><br></br> <a href="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/12401664884?profile=original" rel="noopener" target="_blank"><img class="align-full" src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/12401664884?profile=RESIZE_710x"></img></a> I am Shanti Ram Bari President Arshirbad Mohila unnoyon Sommity. I was accompanied by Sneha Farzana reporting staff. We had a discussion with some children of Charbeen para a few days ago. Who were aged between 13 and 19 years. </p>
<p>We have not only learned a lot from them, but also observed the strength within them, the indomitable conviction…</p>
<p><br/> <a href="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/12401664884?profile=original" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/12401664884?profile=RESIZE_710x" class="align-full"/></a>I am Shanti Ram Bari President Arshirbad Mohila unnoyon Sommity. I was accompanied by Sneha Farzana reporting staff. We had a discussion with some children of Charbeen para a few days ago. Who were aged between 13 and 19 years. </p>
<p>We have not only learned a lot from them, but also observed the strength within them, the indomitable conviction to do something in the society. Again I noticed how energy tends to go away without opportunities. Children speak their language very easily. </p>
<p>As the girls say discrimination among them starts from the family. You girl can't do it. Can't go there. What will happen by studying? If you get married, you have to go to your in-laws' house. Learn housework. As it exists in the family, it also exists strongly in the society. These words make the energies within their minds slowly die. Children cannot play and walk together. A girl said that when a bird is ready to fly, its wings are clipped so that it cannot leave its confines. Similarly, if a girl dreams that she will do something in life, then by saying something like that, her wings to fly are cut off. What I find very surprising is that this group of children was able to stop child marriage in this village. It stirred the society as a good deed. Also some people lost their sight. They had to listen a lot. </p>
<p>But later when another child marriage was decided to be stopped, the families that were giving child marriages increased their daughter's age in birth registration. Besides, there was no family behind them. I wanted to know why your work was so easy before. They said we had a club then. which was run by NGOs. When we did something, they were our helpers. We were not afraid. We knew we were doing a good job. But now we alone can do it. We have strength and courage.But since we live in the society, people in the society create obstacles when we do something. Society considers its people weak. But afraid of outsiders. This is clear to me. </p>
<p>On the one hand, a group of children want to play a role in the development of society with their own strength. On the other hand, they are slowly becoming powerless without anyone on their side. Which shocked me a lot. One thing I have also realized is that no matter how strong you are, if you don't have someone by your side, or if you don't draw strength from within you. A group of people alone becomes powerless. Let us be the cause of the energy of others rather than the hindrance to it.</p>
<p dir="ltr">It is written from experience while doing baseline for the Global Fund for Children's community-led ARC initiative using SALT and CLCP in Bangladesh</p>
<p dir="ltr"></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span>আমি শান্তি রাম বারি সভাপতি আর্শিবাদ মহিলা উন্নয়ন সমিতি। আমার সাথে ছিল স্নেহা ফারজানা রিপোর্টিংয় স্টাফ। আমরা কয়েকদিন আগে চরবীন পাড়া কিছু ছেলেমেয়েদের সাথে আলোচনায় বসেছিলাম। যাদের বয়স ১৩ থেকে 19 বছরের মধ্যে ছিল। আমরা ওদের কাছ থেকে অনেক কিছু শুধু জানতে পারি নাই, ওদের ভিতরে থাকা শক্তি, সমাজে কিছু করার অদম্য প্রত্যয়ও লক্ষ্য করেছি। আবার এটাও লক্ষ্য করেছি কিভাবে সুযোগ না থাকলে শক্তি হারিয়ে যেতে থাকে। ছেলেমেয়েরা খুব সহজসরল ভাবে তাদের কথা বলতে থাকে। যেমন মেয়েরা বলে তাদের মধ্যে বৈষম্য শুরু হয় পরিবার থেকে। তুমি মেয়ে এটা করতে পারবে না। ওখানে যেতে পারবে না। পড়াশুনা করে কি হবে। বিয়ে দিয়ে দিলে শশুরবাড়ি যেতে হবে। ঘরের কাজ শিখ। এটা যেমন পরিবারে বিদ্যমান তেমনি আবার সমাজেও বিদ্যমান প্রখরভাবে। এই কথাগুলো তাদের মনের ভিতরের থাকা শক্তিগুলোকে আস্তে আস্তে মরে যেতে বাধ্য করে। ছেলেমেয়েরা একসাথে খেলতে ও চলতে পারেনা। একটি মেয়ে বলে উঠলো পাখিযখন উড়ার জন্য প্রস্তুত হয়, তখন তার পাখা কেটে দেয়া হয় যেন সে তার সীমানা ছেড়ে বের হতে না পারে। ঠিক তেমনি কোন মেয়ে যদি স্বপ্ন দেখে সে জীবনে কিছু করবে তখন এমন কিছু কথা বলে তার উড়ার জন্য যে পাখা থাকে তা কেটে ফেলা হয়। যে কথাটা আমার কাছে খুব আশ্চর্য লেগেছে তা হলো, এই গ্রামে বাল্য বিয়ে দেয়া হচ্ছিল তখন এই ছেলেমেয়ে দল তা বন্ধ করতে সক্ষম হয়েছিল। এটা সমাজে যেমন আলোড়ন ফেলেছিল একটি ভালো কাজ হিসেবে। তেমনি কিছু লোকের দৃষ্টিশূল হয়েছিল এরা। অনেক কথা শুনতে হয়েছিল ওদের কে। তবে পরবর্তীতে যখন আরেকটি বাল্যবিয়ে বন্ধ করতে সিদ্ধান্ত নেয় তখন যে পরিবারে বাল্য বিয়ে দিচ্ছিল তারা তাদের মেয়ের বয়স বাড়িয়ে দিয়েছিল জন্মনিবন্ধনে। এছাড়া তাদের পিছনে তাদের পরিবার সমাজ কেউ ছিল না। আমি জানতে চাইলাম আগে তোমাদের কাজ এত সহজ ছিল কেন। তারা বললো তখন আমাদের ক্লাব ছিল। যা এনজিও দ্বারা পরিচালিত হতো। তখন আমরা কিছু করলে তারা আমাদের সহযোগি ছিল। আমাদের ভয় ছিল না। আমরা জানতাম আমরা ভালো কাজ করছি। তবে এখন আমরা একা আমরা করতে পারি। আমাদের শক্তি ও মনোবল আছে। তবে যেহেতু আমরা সমাজের মধ্যে থাকি তখন কিছু করলে সমাজের লোকেরা বাধা সৃষ্টি করে। সমাজ নিজেদের লোকদের দূর্বল মনে করে। তবে বাহিরের লোকদের ভয় পায়। বিষয়টি আমার কাছে পরিষ্কার। একদিকে একদল ছেলেমেয়ে সমাজের উন্নয়নের ভূমিকা রাখতে চাইছে তাদের নিজস্ব শক্তি দিয়ে। ঠিক অপরদিকে তাদের পাশে কাউকে না পেয়ে তারা আস্তে আস্তে শক্তিহীন হয়ে যাচ্ছে। যা আমাকে খুব মম্মাহত করেছে। একটা বিষয় আমি ও উপলব্দি করেছি আপনি যতই শক্তিশালী হোন না কেন পাশে কেউ না থাকলে, কিংবা আপনার ভিতর থেকে শক্তি বের না করলে। একা মানুষ একটা দল শক্তিহীন হয়ে পড়ে। আসুন আমরা অন্যের শক্তি সনচায়ের বাধা না হয়ে তার কারণ হই। </span></p>
<p> </p>Value of facilitating SALT in familiestag:aidscompetence.ning.com,2024-03-15:2028109:BlogPost:2106962024-03-15T06:30:00.000ZShahrukh Atpadehttps://aidscompetence.ning.com/profile/ShahrukhAtpade
<p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><em><a href="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/12400469077?profile=original" rel="noopener" target="_blank"><img class="align-center" src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/12400469077?profile=RESIZE_710x" style="padding: 10px;" width="750"></img></a></em></span></p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">Discussions have been going on in villages using SALT for the past couple of years. In this there are discussions with Gram Panchayat, Anganwadi workers, children, women, elderly people. After taking SALT in some families…</span></p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><em><a href="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/12400469077?profile=original" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/12400469077?profile=RESIZE_710x" width="750" class="align-center" style="padding: 10px;"/></a></em></span></p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">Discussions have been going on in villages using SALT for the past couple of years. In this there are discussions with Gram Panchayat, Anganwadi workers, children, women, elderly people. After taking SALT in some families it was found that the family never discussed together.</span><br/> <span style="font-size: 10pt;">Initially, the children were mobilized by visiting schools in Vashi village. In this the children were visited every Saturday. Initially SALT was done with them and later planned to have SALT in their families. Before that I asked the children what time you are together and they said family is together after 7 pm. After communicating with the children, it was found that there is no communication between the children and the parents, the relationship between the father and the children is not so strong and trustful, the children talk freely with the mother but are afraid of the father. I decided that we need to have SALT in the family.</span><br/> <span style="font-size: 10pt;">Time was taken from the family by calling during the day and SALT was taken after 7 pm to visit. In some places the father was not present in SALT. I wanted father in SALT so discussed with him the reason behind the visit and asked him to attend. After that, mothers, fathers, children, old people started meeting in the family. Things started to get better in the SALT family. I started taking more SALT with the family.</span></p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><br/> <span style="font-size: 10pt;">Went to a family in the evening to take SALT. It was a small house. A family consists of mother, father, son, daughter. Discussion started with everyone. It was learned that children used to fear their fathers. It was the father who started it. He said that when I was a child, I was not pampered at home. I used to fear my parents a lot. Father became addicted and used to beat mother every evening. I used to feel very sad to see this. So I was very afraid of my father. After I got married and had kids a few years later, I thought I'd try to be a little tougher on my kids so they wouldn't get into that habit. So that they get good habits. I feel very bad when children are afraid of me. But I could never talk to them openly. Because they never let me understand their feelings. I love them so much. The children were very surprised after hearing this. The children were listening to their father attentively. He felt that father was being a little harsh with us for our good and to remove the difficulties in our future life by learning from the incident in his life. But they also want their children to love them like their mother.</span><br/> <span style="font-size: 10pt;">After SALT, the boys hugged their father with love and decided to chat every evening and share their thoughts with each other.</span></p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><br/> <span style="font-size: 10pt;">Because of such things, the benefits of taking SALT in the family started to be understood. Because before this there was no discussion with each other in the family. The father did not know about the dream of the children, the children did not know about the dream of the parents. He was not aware of the good works he had done in his life. SALT started discussions in the family. Parents started communicating with children. Children began to understand the dream of every parent towards their children. Parents encouraged their children by telling them stories from their childhood.</span><br/> <span style="font-size: 10pt;">Having SALT in the family gave the children a means to have open discussions with their parents.</span><br/> <span style="font-size: 10pt;">After taking SALT with the family in Vashi village, everyone's dream towards the young children became realised. I started telling them that many people in your village have the same dreams.</span><br/> <span style="font-size: 10pt;">As SALT increased communication with the family, trust between them began to grow.</span></p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><br/> <span style="font-size: 10pt;"><strong>To change the society, it has to start from the family. Because family is an important element of society. The change in the family is passed on from generation to generation. And society is made from this family.</strong></span></p>From Small Talk to Soul Talk: How Genuine Conversations Drive Changetag:aidscompetence.ning.com,2024-03-12:2028109:BlogPost:2105932024-03-12T08:05:19.000ZSadia Jafrinhttps://aidscompetence.ning.com/profile/SadiaJafrin
<p>Today was one of those rare occasions when a scheduled 45-minute meeting turned into an enriching 100-minute dialogue. It wasn't because of delays or distractions, but rather because Mithun and I found ourselves immersed in a truly profound exchange.</p>
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<p>Our SALT conversation began as a routine catch-up, but as we delved deeper, something magical…</p>
<p>Today was one of those rare occasions when a scheduled 45-minute meeting turned into an enriching 100-minute dialogue. It wasn't because of delays or distractions, but rather because Mithun and I found ourselves immersed in a truly profound exchange.</p>
<p><a href="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/12399544255?profile=original" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/12399544255?profile=RESIZE_710x" class="align-full"/></a></p>
<p>Our SALT conversation began as a routine catch-up, but as we delved deeper, something magical happened. It was as if a veil had been lifted, and we were suddenly sharing our thoughts, challenges, and aspirations with a level of honesty and openness rarely seen in professional settings.</p>
<p>What made our interaction so special was our genuine curiosity and hunger for learning from one another. We didn't just exchange pleasantries; we actively listened, eager to absorb new insights and perspectives.</p>
<p>Mithun 's meticulous preparation was evident as he posed thought-provoking questions that cut to the heart of the matter. His dedication to understanding not only his own experiences but also mine created an atmosphere of mutual respect and understanding.</p>
<p>As we shared our professional challenges, we also ventured into the realm of personal growth. We discussed strategies for self-improvement, recognizing that our individual development directly impacts our contributions to both our organization and our communities.</p>
<p>What struck me the most was the realization that true connection goes beyond mere conversation. It requires a willingness to be vulnerable, to listen without judgment, and to approach each interaction with an open heart and mind.</p>
<p>In the end, our dialogue left us both feeling invigorated and inspired. We had not only exchanged ideas but also forged a deeper connection based on mutual trust and respect.</p>
<p>Today's experience serves as a reminder of the transformative power of authentic conversations. When we set aside our agendas and egos and embrace genuine human connection, the possibilities for growth and understanding are limitless.</p>The inherent strength of women. নারীর অন্তর্নিহিত শক্তিtag:aidscompetence.ning.com,2024-03-08:2028109:BlogPost:2105052024-03-08T17:30:22.000ZSanti rambarihttps://aidscompetence.ning.com/profile/Santirambari
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<p dir="ltr">আজ আন্তজার্তিক বিশ্ব নারী দিবস২০২৪. সমাজের শিক্ষিত এবং সচেতন নারীরা এ দিবসটি পালন করছে বিভিন্ন ভাবে। আজকে আমিও আর্শিবাদ সংস্থায় পক্ষ থেকে এই দিবসটি পালন করেছি। আমার সাথে যেসব নারীরা ছিল তারা তারা প্রত্যকে এক একজন জয়ীতা নারী আমার দৃষ্টিতে। তারা কেউ ফুল বিক্রি করে কেউ সবজি বিক্রি করে কেউ রাস্তা পরিষ্কারের কাজ করে। সমাজে তাদের মূল্যায়ন নেই। তবে আমার কথাটা হচ্ছে অন্যখানে। আমরা সাধারণত বলি নারীদের এগিয়ে যেতে হবে, তার জন্য সুযোগ দিতে হবে। পুরুষের…</p>
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<p dir="ltr">আজ আন্তজার্তিক বিশ্ব নারী দিবস২০২৪. সমাজের শিক্ষিত এবং সচেতন নারীরা এ দিবসটি পালন করছে বিভিন্ন ভাবে। আজকে আমিও আর্শিবাদ সংস্থায় পক্ষ থেকে এই দিবসটি পালন করেছি। আমার সাথে যেসব নারীরা ছিল তারা তারা প্রত্যকে এক একজন জয়ীতা নারী আমার দৃষ্টিতে। তারা কেউ ফুল বিক্রি করে কেউ সবজি বিক্রি করে কেউ রাস্তা পরিষ্কারের কাজ করে। সমাজে তাদের মূল্যায়ন নেই। তবে আমার কথাটা হচ্ছে অন্যখানে। আমরা সাধারণত বলি নারীদের এগিয়ে যেতে হবে, তার জন্য সুযোগ দিতে হবে। পুরুষের সাপোর্ট দরকার হবে। মূল্যায়ন করতে হবে। আমি বলছি না একদমই না। নারীদের এগিয়ে যাওয়ার জন্য সবচেয়ে বড় বাধা নারীরা নিজে। কারণ তাদের দূর্বল মনোভাব ও পরনির্ভরশীলতা। নারীর ভিতরের শক্তি নারীকে বের করে আনতে হবে। ভেতরের শক্তি অন্য কেউ বের করতে পারেনা। উদাহরন সরুপ যখন একজন মেয়ে সন্তান জন্ম দেয় তখন তার শরীরের যে শক্তি প্রয়োজন তা ডাক্তার বা নার্স দিতে পারে না। ডাক্তার বা নার্স হচ্ছে সহযোগী। ঠিক তেমনই একজন নারীর উন্নয়নের শক্তি হচ্ছে তার দৃঢ় মনোবল। স্বামী,বাবা, পরিবার, সমাজ হচ্ছে ডাক্তার নার্সদের মত।</p>
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<p dir="ltr">এই বিষয়টি বেশীর ভাগ নারীরা জানেনা বা বুঝেনা। তারা এত কিছু করার পরও মনে করে আমি পারবো কিনা। আমার পরিবার সমর্থন করবে কিনা। যে চিন্তাটা পুরুষরা একদমই করেনা। পুরুষরা তাদের সিদ্ধান্ত তারা নিজেরা নেয়। পুরুষরা নির্ভরশীল নয়। তাই বলে সব কাজে পুরুষরা নারীদের বাধা দেয় এমনও নয়। আজকে যারা সফল নারী তাদের পিছনে সবচেয়ে বড় অবদান তার পরিবারের পুরুষদের। পুরুষরা অনুমতি দিয়েছে সাহস দিয়েছে সহযোগিতা করেছে বলে নারীরা এগিয়ে গেছে। কিন্তু উদ্যোগটা নারীদের প্রথমে নিতে হয়েছিল। আমি এই কথাগুলো কেন বলছি। তার কারণ আমি অনুভব করতে পেরেছি গতকাল। যখন আমি নারীদের বলছি আমরা একটি দিন নিজের মত করে পালন করবো। কিছু সময় কাটাবো নিজের জন্য। তখন বেশীর ভাগ নারীরা বললো সংসারে অনেক কাজ। কেউ বললো স্বামী যেতে দিবে না। কেউ বললো কি হবে গিয়ে। অথচ সবার ভিতরে নারী শক্তি অন্তনির্হত আছে। তারা কয়েক ধাপ এগিয়েই আছে। কেউ ব্যবসা করছে কেউ পরিছন্নতার কাজ করছে। সমাজে তাদের অবদান আছে। পরিবার তাদের বাধা দিচ্ছে না তো। তবে নিজের জন্য বাচতে, মন খুলে হাসতে, স্বাধীনভাবে চলতে বাধা কোথায়। আলোচনা করে খুজে পেলাম ওরা নিজের প্রতি উদাসীন, দূর্বল মনের, আর পরনির্ভরশীল। তখন ওদের পরিবারের স্বামীদের সাথে কথা বললাম তাদের মধ্য বেশীর ভাগ সমর্থন দিল। আর বললো আমার তো কোন সমস্যা নেই। তখন নারীরা শক্তি খুজে পেল। দেখলাম কিভাবে নারীরা নিজের শক্তি অন্যের কাছে জমা রাখে। যাক শেষ পযর্ন্ত আজ আমারা এই দিনটি খুব সুন্দরভাবে কাটিয়েছি। একে অপরের সাথে মন খুলে কথা বলেছে। সমাজে যারা এই সব নারীদের ঘৃণার সাথে দেখে আজ তাদের সাথে মিলে রেলিতে অংশগ্রহণ করেছি। শেষে সকলের কথা হলো এভাবে যেন মাঝে মাঝে নিজের জন্য চিন্তা করি, সময় দেই</p>
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<p dir="ltr">Today is International Women's Day 2024. Educated and conscious women of the society are celebrating this day in different ways. Today I also celebrated this day on behalf of Arshivad organization. All the women who were with me are women of victory in my eyes. Some of them sell flowers, some sell vegetables, some do road cleaning. They are not valued in society. But my point is elsewhere. We usually say women should step up, give them a chance. Men will need support. To be evaluated. I'm not saying absolutely not. The biggest obstacle to women's advancement is women themselves. Because of their weak attitude and codependency. Women should bring out their inner strength. No one else can bring out the inner strength. For example, when a girl gives birth, the doctor or nurse cannot provide the energy her body needs. Women give birth using their own strength. A doctor or nurse is an assistant. Similarly, the strength of a woman's development is her strong will, strong desire to move forward. Husband, father, family, society are like doctors and nurses.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Most women don't know or understand this. Even after doing so much they think I can do it. Will my family be supportive? Men do not think at all. Men make their own decisions. Men are not dependent. So it is not that men prevent women in all activities. The biggest contributor behind successful women today is the men in their families. Women have moved forward because men have allowed, encouraged and cooperated. But women had to take the initiative first. Why am I saying these words? Because I could feel it yesterday. When I say to women we will have a day of our own. Spend some time for yourself. Then most of the women said that there is a lot of work in the family. Someone said that the husband will not let go. Someone said what will happen. However, there is a feminine energy inside everyone. They are a few steps ahead. Some are doing business and some are cleaning. They have contribution to society. Family is not stopping them. But where is the obstacle to live for yourself, laugh with open mind, move freely. After discussion I found them indifferent to themselves, weak minded and dependent. Then I talked to the husbands of their families and most of them gave support. And said I have no problem. Then women found strength. I saw how women put their power in others. Let's end today, we spent this day very nicely. Talked openly with each other. Today I participated in the rally along with those who hate these women in the society. In the end, everyone said that we should think for ourselves sometimes, give time</p>
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<p> </p>Role of a father in nurturing strong daughterstag:aidscompetence.ning.com,2024-03-08:2028109:BlogPost:2106822024-03-08T16:22:47.000ZRituu B. Nandahttps://aidscompetence.ning.com/profile/RituuBNanda94
<div class="gmail_default"><span>SALT and CLCP in villages where Avani is working in Kolhapur, Maharashtra is illuminating examples of strong women and girls. The number is low but it's there.</span></div>
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<div class="gmail_default"><span>One such example is family of Anil Patil from Village Nandwal. </span><span>His daughter and niece are both being coached to enter the police services. Notably, his niece, who is married, defies societal norms by wearing…</span></div>
<div class="gmail_default"><span>SALT and CLCP in villages where Avani is working in Kolhapur, Maharashtra is illuminating examples of strong women and girls. The number is low but it's there.</span></div>
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<div class="gmail_default"><span>One such example is family of Anil Patil from Village Nandwal. </span><span>His daughter and niece are both being coached to enter the police services. Notably, his niece, who is married, defies societal norms by wearing jeans, a taboo for girls in the community. When asked why they participate in SALT meetings, his niece observed that her personal growth alone is insufficient; other girls in the village have to come forward for community's progress. Anil's daughter highlighted how SALT has facilitated her ability to connect with peers and form a strong bond with other girls.</span></div>
<div class="gmail_default"><span><a href="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/12398658669?profile=original" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/12398658669?profile=RESIZE_710x" class="align-full"/></a></span></div>
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<div class="gmail_default">One of the most influential persons in their lives is Anil Patil. He is an example that fathers do not only fulfill material needs. Fathers can be instrumental in improving the lives of girls and women. Both the girls said that he raised them to believe in themselves, to pursue their dream and thus, they helped to create a generation of strong women.<span><span> I asked him what has been the challenge. He said that the family has been a target of criticism and taunts from neighbours, community members and relatives. How did he deal with this? </span></span><p></p>
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<div class="gmail_default"><span><span><span><strong>Empowerment of women starts at home</strong>, and often when father teaches his daughters that they are as capable as anyone else. Father also has to be strong enough to deal with societal backlash as he challenges traditional gender roles and stereotypes. He said that his strategy is d</span></span></span>on't be distracted by criticism. Take it as given that people will criticize you. So, keep your critics near you. Listen to them patiently and prepare yourself to answer through your actions. Pooja one of the team member during this SALT visit shared a couplet by Baba Kabir -<em>Nindak nihare rakhiye, aangan kuti chhaway; Bin pani bin sabun, nirmal kare subhav.</em></div>
<div class="gmail_default"><span>(Give your critics shelter in your courtyard and listen to the criticism without annoyance, because critic is not your enemy, he is helping you to clean the rubbish from your life without soap and water.)<a href="https://www.speakingtree.in/allslides/om-nindak-nihare-rakhiye-aangan-kuti-chhaway/3">https://www.speakingtree.in/allslides/om-nindak-nihare-rakhiye-aangan-kuti-chhaway/3</a></span></div>
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<div class="gmail_default"><span>In conclusion, a supporting father in a girl's childhood can have long-term consequences that last far into adulthood. SALT conversations by Avani smile team in families are contributing to strengthen these relationships</span></div>
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</div>How Conversations Build Bridges in the Workplacetag:aidscompetence.ning.com,2024-03-03:2028109:BlogPost:2104922024-03-03T10:00:00.000ZMariam Atia Azadhttps://aidscompetence.ning.com/profile/MariamAtiaAzad
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">On the 30th of January, we did something fun at our workplace (Grow Your Reader Foundation). We all gathered for what we called an "in-house salt conversation," a chance for everyone to come together and share. Among the exercises, I had the privilege of having a heart-to-heart with Ananya Apu, a colleague I've worked alongside for over a year.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">You know, sometimes you think you really know someone, but then a…</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">On the 30th of January, we did something fun at our workplace (Grow Your Reader Foundation). We all gathered for what we called an "in-house salt conversation," a chance for everyone to come together and share. Among the exercises, I had the privilege of having a heart-to-heart with Ananya Apu, a colleague I've worked alongside for over a year.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">You know, sometimes you think you really know someone, but then a conversation like that happens, and it's like seeing them in a whole new light. That's exactly what it was like with Ananya Apu. As we talked, it was as if a curtain lifted, revealing layers of her I never knew existed. It was beautiful, honestly. It made me appreciate her even more, seeing the depth of who she is beyond our work tasks.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">What struck me the most was the trust and comfort that grew between us during our chat. I think her openness created this safe space where I felt okay to share my own struggles and worries. It's not every day you get to have those kinds of conversations, you know? But when they happen, they' are just what you need in a sometimes hectic work environment.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">In that moment, it wasn't just about being colleagues anymore; it was about being human beings, supporting each other through life's ups and downs. And that's something I'll always treasure about that day—the reminder that behind every job title, there's a person with a story, and sometimes all it takes is a genuine conversation to bring that story to light.</span></p>Community Life Competence Process (CLCP) with Gender Sensitivitytag:aidscompetence.ning.com,2024-03-02:2028109:BlogPost:2105822024-03-02T15:30:00.000ZDr Evelyn Bacarra Tablantehttps://aidscompetence.ning.com/profile/DrEvelynBacarraTablante
<p>I work as Provincial director, <span>Department of Science and Technology, Samar Provincial Science and Technology Office, Brgy. Guindapon, Philippines. </span><span>We conducted community assessment using the tool Community Life Competence Process (CLCP) with Gender Sensitivity @ Mamanwa Tribe w/ GAD expert</span> Aivan Lloyd Calonia.…</p>
<p><a href="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/12392010855?profile=original" rel="noopener" target="_blank"><img class="align-full" height="263" src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/12392010855?profile=RESIZE_710x" width="584"></img></a></p>
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<p>I work as Provincial director, <span>Department of Science and Technology, Samar Provincial Science and Technology Office, Brgy. Guindapon, Philippines. </span><span>We conducted community assessment using the tool Community Life Competence Process (CLCP) with Gender Sensitivity @ Mamanwa Tribe w/ GAD expert</span> Aivan Lloyd Calonia.</p>
<p><a href="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/12392010855?profile=original" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/12392010855?profile=RESIZE_710x" class="align-full" width="584" height="263"/></a></p>
<p><a href="https://www.facebook.com/aivan.calonia?__cft__[0]=AZWK2EQayty61uP6XeQwywNz7GhxPqtIdqRBKPHmiqSvpnq4L5MVW00gbQKQ0hP1tB6hv9MglV0nG0CfckM2XYugihYL4DPOC3ktroyuL_e6_qROxFDCT-wHI6YE5HiIQrAtLQ1SVFZhI1CSKG2RvX_HfncTlGwQVmsvzViqArNx1Pvb0pSAS7mnHJBGhEhpNNU&__tn__=-]K-R"> </a>The goal of including gender sensitivity in the process of CLCP is to mainstream gender within the tool. So the better question really is, how is Gender helping CLCP?</p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><span>CLCP is a needs assessment tool where communities look into itself what it has, what it lacks and what it can do. Ultimately it points out government agencies and funding partners, what development projects to work not to the community but with the community. Gender comes in to make sure that along the process of identifying what it has, what it lacks and what it intends to do, the community is capacitated with gender lens in order to include all— women, men, people of various SOGIE, PWDs who has distinct and different gender issues— in the development process.</span></p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><span><a href="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/12392012880?profile=original" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/12392012880?profile=RESIZE_710x" class="align-right" width="433" height="308"/></a></span></p>
<p><span><a href="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/12392010299?profile=original" target="_blank" rel="noopener"></a></span></p>
<p><span><a href="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/12392010889?profile=original" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/12392010889?profile=RESIZE_710x" width="342" height="249" class="align-right"/></a></span></p>
<p><strong>Now, can we do CLCP without gender?</strong></p>
<p><span>Of course, the CLCP can stand on its own. But to include gender in the process of CLCP, we, as program implementers and development workers, recognized that women and men in the community has distinct needs, issues, and relations that should be considered in the development process. To deny that reality poses threat to the success of the program. Hence, it is necessary to mainstream gender in the CLCP.</span></p>
<p><span><a href="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/12392011875?profile=original" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/12392011875?profile=RESIZE_710x" class="align-full"/></a></span></p>
<div class="x1a8lsjc x1swvt13 x1pi30zi"><div class="x1jx94hy x78zum5 x1q0g3np"><div class="x78zum5 xdt5ytf xz62fqu x16ldp7u"><div class="xu06os2 x1ok221b"><h3 class="x1heor9g x1qlqyl8 x1pd3egz x1a2a7pz x1gslohp x1yc453h"><span class="xt0psk2"><a class="x1i10hfl xjbqb8w x1ejq31n xd10rxx x1sy0etr x17r0tee x972fbf xcfux6l x1qhh985 xm0m39n x9f619 x1ypdohk xt0psk2 xe8uvvx xdj266r x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r xexx8yu x4uap5 x18d9i69 xkhd6sd x16tdsg8 x1hl2dhg xggy1nq x1a2a7pz xt0b8zv xzsf02u x1s688f" href="https://www.facebook.com/UPTaclobanOfficial?__cft__[0]=AZV-PmH8bZsKWSYwbqOB4p66ZFypgJ9BZb4QWbQ-_IsBS2ETKbey3XzpOmP0w55nFvkz_kkP5WNZ69Mlo6a3Qpf7ZzOkun0aUBVJaFBgZa9ZgEOWlNkKXY1jARw39AV6KGglHVu3HSxrNeSLi-6TZfKr8VXZsPipgJfn46agp8qmG0_YYNNf-hWeMxysipbf936Bh5SFlDYSEkI8EyzsIISZ&__tn__=-UC%2CP-y-R"><strong><span>University of the Philippines Tacloban</span></strong></a></span></h3>
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<div class="xu06os2 x1ok221b"><span class="x193iq5w xeuugli x13faqbe x1vvkbs xlh3980 xvmahel x1n0sxbx x1lliihq x1s928wv xhkezso x1gmr53x x1cpjm7i x1fgarty x1943h6x x4zkp8e x676frb x1nxh6w3 x1sibtaa xo1l8bm xi81zsa x1yc453h" dir="auto"><span><span class="x4k7w5x x1h91t0o x1h9r5lt x1jfb8zj xv2umb2 x1beo9mf xaigb6o x12ejxvf x3igimt xarpa2k xedcshv x1lytzrv x1t2pt76 x7ja8zs x1qrby5j"><a class="x1i10hfl xjbqb8w x1ejq31n xd10rxx x1sy0etr x17r0tee x972fbf xcfux6l x1qhh985 xm0m39n x9f619 x1ypdohk xt0psk2 xe8uvvx xdj266r x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r xexx8yu x4uap5 x18d9i69 xkhd6sd x16tdsg8 x1hl2dhg xggy1nq x1a2a7pz x1heor9g xt0b8zv xo1l8bm" href="https://www.facebook.com/ebt.dost8#"></a></span><span class="xh99ass"><span class="xzpqnlu xjm9jq1 x6ikm8r x10wlt62 x10l6tqk x1i1rx1s"> </span><span> · </span></span></span></span></div>
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<div class="" dir="auto"><div class="" dir="auto"><div class="x1iorvi4 x1pi30zi x1l90r2v x1swvt13"><div class="x78zum5 xdt5ytf xz62fqu x16ldp7u"><div class="xu06os2 x1ok221b"><div class="xdj266r x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs x126k92a"><div dir="auto">UP Tacloban’s Ugnayan ng Pahinungód conducts community consultation, kicks off UP<3ME Program</div>
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<div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a"><div dir="auto">The Ugnayan ng Pahinungód of UP Tacloban College (UPTC) conducted a community life competence process (CLCP) with gender sensitivity workshop with community members in Brgy. Guirang, Basey, Samar on 23-24 February 2024. Around 40 community members from different sectors – the elderly, women, farmers, fisherfolk, out-of-school youth, students, persons with disabilities, and the local government – met with the UPTC team composed of Ugnayan ng Pahinungód coordinator Assoc. Prof. Ervina Espina and 14 UPTC faculty and staff, to discuss sectoral and community concerns and aspirations and formulate a plan of action.</div>
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<div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a"><div dir="auto">The CLCP workshop at Brgy. Guirang is the initial step in an envisioned community partnership that UP Tacloban hopes to forge with funding support from the Community Empowerment through Science and Technology (CEST) program of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST). Hence, the UPTC team attended a one-day CLCP training on 21 February with resource persons from DOST Region VIII, namely, Dr. Evelyn Bacarra-Tablante, director of the DOST RO VIII Samar Office, and DOST RO8 Science Research Specialist Mr. Aivan Lloyd Calonia to prepare them for the community consultation. CLCP aims to facilitate community action towards addressing a specific issue or concern through a learning cycle that is anchored on the community’s aspirations, sense of ownership, and collective strength and capabilities.</div>
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<div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a"><div dir="auto">The community partnership with Brgy. Guirang and the municipality of Basey, Samar kicks off UP Tacloban’s municipality empowerment program dubbed UP<3ME or “UP loves municipality empowerment.” This new public service program is in line with the UP System’s strategic plan for 2023-2029, which includes public service for the common good as a strategic priority.</div>
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</div>The ripple effect of individual & collective change in a Women's grouptag:aidscompetence.ning.com,2024-03-01:2028109:BlogPost:2103822024-03-01T08:00:00.000ZRituu B. Nandahttps://aidscompetence.ning.com/profile/RituuBNanda94
<div class="gmail_default"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">29th Feb, the sun shining bright as John, Dhiraj, and I join the Avani Smile team for a SALT visit to a 10-member Self-help group. This SHG set up in village Nandwal, India a year ago, includes three mothers-in-law amongst their members. About 3 months ago Jayshree and Koushalya initiated individual SALT conversations with these women.…</span></div>
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<div class="gmail_default"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">29th Feb, the sun shining bright as John, Dhiraj, and I join the Avani Smile team for a SALT visit to a 10-member Self-help group. This SHG set up in village Nandwal, India a year ago, includes three mothers-in-law amongst their members. About 3 months ago Jayshree and Koushalya initiated individual SALT conversations with these women.</span></div>
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<div class="gmail_default"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><a href="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/12391664098?profile=original" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/12391664098?profile=RESIZE_710x" class="align-full" width="592" height="446"/></a></span></div>
<div class="gmail_default"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">Referring to the SALT conversations with them, women mentioned that once they realized their inner capacity, they wanted to do something for themselves. This realization prompted them to take individual action like stepping outside their homes for the first time.</span></div>
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<div class="gmail_default"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">As a group, they also noticed that others also were gifted in many ways. They decided to form the <strong>first women WhatsApp group</strong> in the village, which now has nearly 80 women. Most women have now been able to negotiate smart phone using the excuse of accessing homework sent by school for their children. "<em>Our families would have never agreed to get us a smartphone. My husband bought a new phone, and I could use his old phone</em>", mentioned a woman. Whatspp has helped in many ways to plan collective action.</span></div>
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<div class="gmail_default"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">Using a meeting as a pretext, they <strong>organized a gathering at a resort</strong>. There, they dressed in clothes of their choice, enjoying a meal together and sharing laughter. "<em>I could never have imagined myself doing thi</em>s," remarked one of the women.</span></div>
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<div class="gmail_default"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">They also went to the local school to celebrate a renowned female social reformer Savitri Bhai Phule's birthday in the local school. The teachers were very happy as it was the f<strong>irst ever initiative by women on their own</strong>. "<em>We had never attended any of our children's school function, this allowed us to see our children perform in school</em>," mentioned one of the women. They ensured that a widow performed all rituals during the celebration, challenging societal norms. What i liked also that they involve women with disability in their group. </span></div>
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<div class="gmail_default"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><strong>Despite facing criticism</strong> from some villagers regarding their newfound independence, the mothers-in-law in the group urged the women not to pay attention to anyone and encouraged them to keep working towards their growth. The conversation showed us that relationships with mothers-in-law can be challenging, but when they become supportive, they can be strong allies. Women also noted the impact on their daughters. During the meeting, one daughter shared that her mother now encourages her to go out, even if she gets late from college, her mother supports her. Thus, mothers serve as powerful role models for their daughters. As mothers step out of their homes, they encourage their daughters to do the same, a ripple effect begins.</span></div>
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<div class="gmail_default"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><a href="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/12391665655?profile=original" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/12391665655?profile=RESIZE_710x" class="align-full" width="583" height="262"/></a></span></div>
<div class="gmail_default"><p><span style="font-size: 10pt;">"<em>What would you like to do next</em>?" asked John. Their response brimmed with determination and clear outline of future actions. Firstly, they expressed their aspiration to establish a business akin to another successful women's group in the village. They would like to encourage other women to recognize their intrinsic worth. Each woman could do this in her own lane. However<span>, the women admitted that there are still a few women who do not support the initiative of involving widows and need to support widows.</span> Imran's suggestion of organizing a knowledge fair for connecting women from various villages excited the women. One old woman, her eyes twinkling with joy, that she could share knowledge of applying for an old age pension. to women not only from neighbouring villages but also to younger women within her own community.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><strong>Reflections</strong></span></p>
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<li><span style="font-size: 10pt;">When women experience individual and collective changes, the impact extends beyond themselves to influence others, particularly young girls. Instead of viewing SHGs for financial transaction, we have to build social capital within these groups. SALT and CLCP can be one way to do that.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 10pt;">As facilitators, we have learned that transformative change cannot be rushed or achieved through shortcuts. It requires patience and perseverance. Stimulating communities to take charge of their own issues can be messy, time-consuming, and chaotic. At times, it may even feel frustrating. However, it is essential to trust in the process.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 10pt;">The Avani Smile team's deep understanding of gender dynamics, coupled with a longstanding relationship with these villages and the application of SALT, appears to be catalyzing a meaningful change. Seth Godin's quote comes to my mind- "<em>The leap of choice. Not to suddenly get from here to there, but to choose to go on the journey."</em></span></li>
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<p><span style="font-size: 10pt;">Note: I found an article describing the above through social ripple effect model <a href="https://socialtrendspot.medium.com/how-we-can-change-the-world-the-social-ripple-effect-689d7d9ee40d">https://socialtrendspot.medium.com/how-we-can-change-the-world-the-social-ripple-effect-689d7d9ee40d</a></span></p>
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<div class="gmail_default"><a href="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/12391735456?profile=original" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/12391735456?profile=RESIZE_710x" class="align-full"/></a></div>He Has Done PHD Of Life...tag:aidscompetence.ning.com,2024-02-29:2028109:BlogPost:2106602024-02-29T10:00:00.000ZImranhttps://aidscompetence.ning.com/profile/Imran
<p style="text-align: left;">This is the story of a 9-year-old son, this is the story of a 16-year-old youth, this is the story of a responsible person who falls on young shoulders due to circumstances at a young age, this is the story of a father who pursues his passion and becomes a businessman.</p>
<p style="text-align: left;">Today, while Kedar and I were walking around, we took salt with a man who was grazing goats in a field. We learned many things while talking with that person. And we…</p>
<p style="text-align: left;">This is the story of a 9-year-old son, this is the story of a 16-year-old youth, this is the story of a responsible person who falls on young shoulders due to circumstances at a young age, this is the story of a father who pursues his passion and becomes a businessman.</p>
<p style="text-align: left;">Today, while Kedar and I were walking around, we took salt with a man who was grazing goats in a field. We learned many things while talking with that person. And we also learned that "we should learn from the experience of others".</p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><strong><a href="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/12391393295?profile=original" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/12391393295?profile=RESIZE_710x" width="673" class="align-center" style="padding: 90px;" height="852"/></a></strong></p>
<p style="text-align: left;">"When I was in school, my father passed away and suddenly the responsibility of the household fell on my shoulders. I completed my schooling only till 7th standard. I really wanted to study school, I loved mathematics, but from then on I started going to work. I started working at JCB for Rs 2.5 per day. Gradually I learned to drive JCB. At that time I started getting Rs.700. When I was working on a JCB, my grandfather threw a stone at me. I still have that scar on my head. The reason for the stone pelting was that a stone fell from the JCB while working and the stone fell on me. But I took it positively and improved my work. After that there was never a mistake in my work. My house was running on JCB. I was also doing his maintenance work myself. When I was a child, my grandmother gave me a baby goat. I had a lot of life on that goat. I was caring for him more than my life. I made my business based on my passion.</p>
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<p style="text-align: left;">Today I have produced 34 goats and 14 cows-buffaloes on that one goat. One time I don't eat myself but I feed them on time. I have built my bungalow on their lives. My daughter is preparing for MPSC exam. While doing this work, I am also doing my own farming and also preparing 2 acres of other people's farms. Although I have a bungalow, I am living in my old mud house. We should do any work in our life with heart. We should love that work. When we fall in love with that work and work, we get success. A principle of my life is that I am always learning from the experiences of others. And today's children should also secure their future in the same way. We should live our lives using the formula of simple living and high thinking. I tell my kids the same thing. And I stand firmly behind them in every decision they make. And the same is said to the children of my village."</p>
<p style="text-align: left;">This is all about Anil Patil who lives in Nandwal. He has given me enough education in an hour to last a lifetime. I was blessed to meet this person who studied only 7th but has done PHD of his life.</p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/12391394259?profile=original" target="_blank" rel="noopener"></a><strong><a href="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/12391394259?profile=original" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/12391394259?profile=RESIZE_710x" width="750" class="align-center" style="padding: 85px;"/></a></strong></p>Facilitating a SALT conversation is an Art and a Sciencetag:aidscompetence.ning.com,2024-02-27:2028109:BlogPost:2105662024-02-27T03:38:00.000ZPadmavati Rhttps://aidscompetence.ning.com/profile/PadmavatiR
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Watching Lakshmi Venkatraman speak with the auto driver, the other day was enthralling. We were heading to a meeting together. The morning’s peak hour traffic was true to its definition. A biker crossed our path, in a rush to reach his destination. This evoked an expletive from our auto driver. And set the ball rolling. It started with Lakshmi acknowledging the comment. As the conversation progressed, I noticed that she was asking, what I thought were…</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Watching Lakshmi Venkatraman speak with the auto driver, the other day was enthralling. We were heading to a meeting together. The morning’s peak hour traffic was true to its definition. A biker crossed our path, in a rush to reach his destination. This evoked an expletive from our auto driver. And set the ball rolling. It started with Lakshmi acknowledging the comment. As the conversation progressed, I noticed that she was asking, what I thought were stereotypical questions about the driver's lives. But, I soon realized, these were just a start. Interestingly, she weaved her questions in and out of the conversation, and at the end of the 12-minute ride, we knew the young man's driving life. The questioning didn't appear planned but seemed to be generated from the man's responses.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Reflecting, I realize that this art gets refined with practice. The science behind facilitating a conversation is to do with the process of listening, quickly comprehending, and stimulating with the next question. A SALT interaction, unintended in its purpose, as in the case of Lakshmi’s chatter with our auto driver, can be educative. One needs to add this to the repertoire of training oneself in SALT practices.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">I had had conversations like this in public transports, despite the noise of the never-ending traffic. But, for the first time, I realised, that “watching” a facilitation can be so stimulating and fun. Kudos, Lakshmi </span></p>
<p></p>The Constellation's Theory of Ownership by Philip Forthtag:aidscompetence.ning.com,2024-02-24:2028109:BlogPost:2106542024-02-24T05:00:00.000ZDr. E. Mohamed Rafiquehttps://aidscompetence.ning.com/profile/DrEMohamedRafique
<p>The Constellation's Theory of Ownership by Philip Forth was in Google sites at the link <br></br> <a href="https://sites.google.com/a/communitylifecompetence.org/theory-of-change-for-the-constellation/home/draft-theory-of-change-for-the-constellation" rel="noopener" target="_blank">https://sites.google.com/a/communitylifecompetence.org/theory-of-change-for-the-constellation/home/draft-theory-of-change-for-the-constellation</a> <br></br> till end 2023, but in Feb 2024 these pages are not anymore on…</p>
<p>The Constellation's Theory of Ownership by Philip Forth was in Google sites at the link <br/> <a href="https://sites.google.com/a/communitylifecompetence.org/theory-of-change-for-the-constellation/home/draft-theory-of-change-for-the-constellation" target="_blank" rel="noopener">https://sites.google.com/a/communitylifecompetence.org/theory-of-change-for-the-constellation/home/draft-theory-of-change-for-the-constellation</a> <br/> till end 2023, but in Feb 2024 these pages are not anymore on Google sites. <br/> <br/> As we cannot afford loss of this foundational document, outlining the genesis and the building blocks of The Constellation, I am reproducing this table and figure from an offline version I had saved in 2021.<br/> <br/> For, the Constellation’s experience is that communities can and do respond to the challenges that they face when they take ownership of those challenges. When a community takes ownership of the challenge that it faces, it is on the road to sustainable change (Forth 2015). <br/> <br/> Philip Forth lays out The Constellation’s “Theory of Ownership” for the SALT-CLCP methodology in table format as: </p>
<p>Learning Festival</p>
<p>“We are proud of what we have shared. We feel inspired by what we learned.”</p>
<p>—Energy and joy in learning and sharing.<br/> —Stories in format for Knowledge Asset.<br/> —Start of Knowledge Asset.</p>
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<tbody><tr style="border: 1px solid #ff00ff;"><td style="border: 1px solid #ff00ff;"><p><strong>Process Step/Tool </strong> </p>
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<td style="border: 1px solid #ff00ff;"><p><strong>Precondition met by this tool </strong></p>
</td>
<td style="border: 1px solid #ff00ff;"><p>Indicators that Precondition has been met. </p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="border: 1px solid #ff00ff;"><td style="border: 1px solid #ff00ff;"><p>Who are we?</p>
</td>
<td style="border: 1px solid #ff00ff;"><p>"We have come together with a shared purpose and a sense of who we are."</p>
</td>
<td style="border: 1px solid #ff00ff;"><p>—A sense of shared humanity<br/> —A sense of community and optimism.</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="border: 1px solid #ff00ff;"><td style="border: 1px solid #ff00ff;"><p>Where do we want to be? / The Dream</p>
</td>
<td style="border: 1px solid #ff00ff;"><p>“We have a dream and we understand the power of dreams.”</p>
</td>
<td style="border: 1px solid #ff00ff;"><p>—A shared dream in text and/or graphics<br/> —Numbers involved in dream.<br/> —Engagement in group dream.<br/> —Enthusiasm and commitment of participants.</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="border: 1px solid #ff00ff;"><td style="border: 1px solid #ff00ff;"><p>Where do we want to be? /Surface practices.</p>
</td>
<td style="border: 1px solid #ff00ff;"><p>We understand the skills we need to reach our dream. ”</p>
</td>
<td style="border: 1px solid #ff00ff;"><p>—A set of practices for SA framework<br/> —A sense of moving from dreams towards action.</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="border: 1px solid #ff00ff;"><td style="border: 1px solid #ff00ff;"><p>Where are we now? /Self-Assessment</p>
</td>
<td style="border: 1px solid #ff00ff;"><p>“We recognize our skills. We know the skills we need to move towards our dream.”</p>
</td>
<td style="border: 1px solid #ff00ff;"><p>—Practices for Self Assessment<br/> —Completed Self Assessment<br/> —Serious, engaged and challenging discussion.<br/> —Levels agreed by consensus, rather than by voting.</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="border: 1px solid #ff00ff;"><td style="border: 1px solid #ff00ff;"><p>What are we going to do? / Action Plan</p>
</td>
<td><p>“We know what we are going to do. We can do this.”</p>
</td>
<td style="border: 1px solid #ff00ff;"><p>—Priority practices defined.<br/> —Completed Action Plan<br/> —Actions? Time? Resources?<br/> —Commitment by individuals to action.<br/> — “Small, doable actions.”<br/> —Energy to act.</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="border: 1px solid #ff00ff;"><td style="border: 1px solid #ff00ff;"><p> Just do It! / Actions</p>
</td>
<td style="border: 1px solid #ff00ff;"><p>“We have made progress. We have done this ourselves.”</p>
</td>
<td style="border: 1px solid #ff00ff;"><p>—Evidence that deliverables in Action Plan have been delivered.<br/> —Pleasure and pride in actions taken</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="border: 1px solid #ff00ff;"><td style="border: 1px solid #ff00ff;"><p>Where did we get to? What did we learn? What can we share? /Review</p>
</td>
<td style="border: 1px solid #ff00ff;"><p>“We know where we got to. We know what we learned. We know how to do better next time. We want to share”</p>
</td>
<td style="border: 1px solid #ff00ff;"><p>—Documentation of review<br/> —Documentation for learn-and-share<br/> —Recognition that there is more to do.<br/> —Pride in achievement</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="border: 1px solid #ff00ff;"><td style="border: 1px solid #ff00ff;"><p>The Dream/Self Assessment/ Action Plan....</p>
</td>
<td style="border: 1px solid #ff00ff;"><p><strong>The cycle continues</strong><br/> “We will use what we have learned to get closer to our dream.”</p>
</td>
<td style="border: 1px solid #ff00ff;"><p>—Revisit the dream<br/> —Serious review of Self Assessment<br/> —This feels as if it the way we do things around here.</p>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p><em>Table 1: The Community derive the Monitoring and Evaluation Indicators from the CLCP Steps and tools proving their ownership of the process and its evaluation - From “The Theory of Ownership” (Forth 2017)<br/> <br/></em> Though Philip Forth has modelled this “Theory of Ownership” from the more well-known “Theory of Change,” outsiders can easily verify the Community’s Ownership using the same indicators from the table above which is re-packaged as a diagram that follows:<br/> <br/> <br/> <a href="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/12388810695?profile=original" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/12388810695?profile=RESIZE_710x" class="align-full" style="padding: 5px;"/></a></p>
<p><em>Figure 1: Thus Phil's Theory of Change proves that Community owns every step of the process from developing indicators to conducting their self-evaluation, which in the CLCP context is called “Self-Assessment of Change”.</em></p>Reflections on powertag:aidscompetence.ning.com,2024-02-13:2028109:BlogPost:2105452024-02-13T12:01:18.000ZKasthuri Divyahttps://aidscompetence.ning.com/profile/KasthuriDivya
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The PIECES team and I had SALT sessions with in-person Rituu B. Nanda 2 weeks back. It was an overwhelming experience, where I am still not able to articulate clear, concrete takeaways. However, there have been a lot of shifts in how I think/feel about myself, how I communicate, and how I relate to others.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">One of the things I keep revisiting in my head is the discussion about power dynamics. Throughout our…</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The PIECES team and I had SALT sessions with in-person Rituu B. Nanda 2 weeks back. It was an overwhelming experience, where I am still not able to articulate clear, concrete takeaways. However, there have been a lot of shifts in how I think/feel about myself, how I communicate, and how I relate to others.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">One of the things I keep revisiting in my head is the discussion about power dynamics. Throughout our conversations, I found myself reflecting on the subtle ways in which power influences our interactions with others. Whether through the language we use, our choice of clothes, or our demeanor, we often communicate messages of superiority or inferiority, consciously or not, which can create discomfort for others.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Like many of us, I see myself as both someone who wields power and someone who feels powerless at times. This awareness is encouraging me to further reflect on my interaction with others, assert my own boundaries, and have more open, respectful interactions. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The SALT sessions have enabled a deeper understanding of the complexities of power dynamics in our daily lives, encouraging me to be more empathetic and inclusive.</span></p>When it comes to Psychiatry - who listens and speaks more?tag:aidscompetence.ning.com,2024-02-12:2028109:BlogPost:2103412024-02-12T12:36:44.000ZOnaiza Qureshihttps://aidscompetence.ning.com/profile/OnaizaQureshi
<p>I had the pleasure of utilizing the SALT technique during a training session with psychologists, psychiatrists, psychiatric nurses and social workers in Karwan-e-Hayat as part of a programmatic scale up for DIALOG+. We conducted this training after a lengthy randomised controlled trial (RCT) to understand how effective DIALOG+ was as a tool to enhance and structure communication between mental health clinicians and their clients who had psychosis. Just for context, this RCT was one of the…</p>
<p>I had the pleasure of utilizing the SALT technique during a training session with psychologists, psychiatrists, psychiatric nurses and social workers in Karwan-e-Hayat as part of a programmatic scale up for DIALOG+. We conducted this training after a lengthy randomised controlled trial (RCT) to understand how effective DIALOG+ was as a tool to enhance and structure communication between mental health clinicians and their clients who had psychosis. Just for context, this RCT was one of the components of the PIECEs program which stands for ‘Improving outcomes for people with psychosis in Pakistan and India: enhancing the effectiveness of community-based care’.</p>
<p>My journey through SALT began with discussions on the topic with experts Dr. Kausar S. Khan and Rituu B. Nanda who are fierce advocates of the approach. If I am being honest, I was confused about how SALT was used as an approach in research as it seemed to me like a routine way of engaging with others and understand what motivates human connection. I am a researcher by background so have gotten used to thinking about things in a logical structure with flowcharts, barcharts, t-tests and frameworks. However, I have also always been fascinated with human nature and how we think and make assumptions about the reality of the world, our actions and behaviours in response to our encounter with others. At its heart, I see SALT as empathy and kindness with the other - the belief that we are all linked to each other despite our differences, borders, skin colours, genders and spoken tongues. The fact that we are practicing to use SALT with our project partners and friends in India, is a testament to that truth.</p>
<p>In our sensitization of SALT, we were constantly told that we needed to practice it to really understand what it’s about. I must admit that while I agreed, I delayed its use because again as a researcher I felt like I must have personal mastery over a topic before I implement it in the field. I was, of course strongly humbled after I actually used SALT facilitation approaches in my training session with clinicians and health workers.</p>
<p>We started off with a fun introduction session where we each had to say our name and make an associated action (that everyone else in the group had to mimic) after which people shared what they were proud of. There were some who made strong salutes, to others more shy who just made a slight nod. After this activity and a lot of laughter, I presented a question to the group ‘What do you think happened in this activity’. There was a slight pause, but soon the answers started pouring in – <em>‘an ice-breaker to make us more relaxed’, ‘to get to know each other’, ‘to better understand ourselves’</em>.</p>
<p><a href="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/12378614060?profile=original" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/12378614060?profile=RESIZE_710x" width="411" class="align-center" height="274"/></a></p>
<p>I agreed with everyone, indeed there could be more than one response to any question about human behaviour, but after the responses died down I posed another statement for consideration to summarise what the group said <em>‘you spoke and others listened, others spoke and you listened’</em>. It was something I picked up from my mentor Dr. Kausar, but before using it in this session I hadn’t realised how perfect it was as a starter to a training session on an approach that was ALL ABOUT DIALOGUE between doctors and their clients. Many in the group agreed with me, and the fact that we actually mimicked other’s actions also helped to establish that connection.</p>
<p><a href="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/12378613896?profile=original" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/12378613896?profile=RESIZE_710x" width="407" class="align-left" height="271"/></a></p>
<p>This led to my next question ‘in your practice, who do you think speaks more, and who listens more?’. There was a moment where the clinicians glanced at each other with small, knowing smiles before a psychologist found the strength to speak up first. Almost everyone agreed in honesty that while they had training to ensure a bi-directional relationship, they ended up speaking more to their clients. Those who worked in a social work or nursing capacity however mentioned that they listened more to family members than their relatives who were seeking care. The dimensions of power around who spoke more vs less and who listened more vs who listened less were discussed openly and transparently. Many clinicians also reflected upon their own personal motivations towards choosing a career path in mental health, because they wanted to help others and be a source of strength. SALT proved an excellent way to create a safe space where the group could deliberate on their practices and explore their perceptions around who has power in the clinical setting vs who should have power. While we didn’t resolve any long-standing societal issues, it did create a foundation upon which to discuss the benefits of a more equitable partnership between people who use psychiatric services and those who provide them. Who decides what treatment option is better? Who gets a say in what medicines should be prescribed? Are caregivers really helping their relatives by taking a decisive role in their care or should clinicians discuss these matters more privately with their clients?</p>
<p>All these questions are imperative to understand the current state of psychiatric care, especially with respect to the kind of relationship that exists between people and their caretakers and what can be done to motivate people to do better by themselves and others. SALT helped me to pose those questions to this group and in return, I was able to learn invaluable cultural insights from an incredibly honest and passionate group of individuals who have dedicated their lives to helping others. And for that I am genuinely grateful.<a href="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/12378614287?profile=original" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/12378614287?profile=RESIZE_710x" width="413" class="align-center" height="152"/></a></p>
<p></p>He taught me to unlearn...tag:aidscompetence.ning.com,2024-02-11:2028109:BlogPost:2105362024-02-11T12:00:00.000ZRituu B. Nandahttps://aidscompetence.ning.com/profile/RituuBNanda94
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">The first time I spoke to S.M Tazammal Haque from Bangladesh Rural Economic Development (BRED) was on 6th Nov 2023. As Nawaz and I were to visit their office later in the month, I shared briefly about SALT and the baseline. There was warmth in his tone that immediately connected us. When we met at the BRED office in Dhaka, we formed an instant bond - we both confessed to not being morning people, which became an ongoing joke between us. …</span></p>
<p></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">The first time I spoke to S.M Tazammal Haque from Bangladesh Rural Economic Development (BRED) was on 6th Nov 2023. As Nawaz and I were to visit their office later in the month, I shared briefly about SALT and the baseline. There was warmth in his tone that immediately connected us. When we met at the BRED office in Dhaka, we formed an instant bond - we both confessed to not being morning people, which became an ongoing joke between us. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><a href="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/12378330292?profile=original" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/12378330292?profile=RESIZE_710x" class="align-full"/></a></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">(he is third one from the right)</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><strong>Unlearning </strong>We invited six NGOs of Global Fund for Children's community led Addressing Root Cause (ARC) Initiative for SALT and CLCLP in Dhaka. As one of the participants, the respect he had for everyone was remarkable.Despite his over 40 years of experience, he was genuinely curious and attentive, always eager to listen and learn from others, regardless of their age or experience. In our final reflections, he humbly admitted to absorbing much from everyone, especially those younger than him. The word that comes to my mind is <strong>grace</strong>- the way he interacted with others.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><a href="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/12378331471?profile=original" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/12378331471?profile=RESIZE_710x" class="align-full" width="597" height="450"/>(Bhai presents values of BRED)</a></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><a href="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/12378331700?profile=original" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/12378331700?profile=RESIZE_710x" class="align-full"/></a></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">(SALT conversation with Lipika di)</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Upon my return from Bangladesh, I received two calls from him. He informed me that SALT and CLCP had prompted him to r<strong>ethink BRED's approach</strong> to working with communities, leading him to include SALT in concept notes for two BRED proposals to funders. He followed up with this message, "<em>We have also been able to sharpen our old rusty brains with new knowledge and ideas. Hopefully the knowledge gained will make our future endeavours more successful</em>."</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><strong>His last message to me on whatsapp</strong>- "<em>Let 2024 be the year of SALT's progress and excellence.</em></span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><em>Happy New Year 2024</em>! "</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">I was excited that we will gain from his experience as we embark on the ARC initiative, but it was not to be. Tazzamul Bhai, your gentle soul has left an indelible imprint on our lives, and you will be dearly missed by the ARC Bangladesh Cohort. You had said that you will be excited when Nawaz and I facilitate the BRED's organization dream and have lunch prepared at BRED office. This was not to be.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><a href="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/12378334469?profile=original" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/12378334469?profile=RESIZE_710x" class="align-full" width="541" height="408"/></a></span></p>
<p></p>SALT as a foundational stone for PRA Yes or No ?tag:aidscompetence.ning.com,2024-02-10:2028109:BlogPost:2105322024-02-10T09:29:57.000ZKausar Skhanhttps://aidscompetence.ning.com/profile/KausarSkhan
<p></p>
<p> Commitment to Paolo Friere's pedagogy of the oppressed and his education theory were detractors to a comprehensive understanding of SALT. It seemed natural to relate SALT with other practices of community engagement. The first SALT workshop in Karachi (2020, 5 days, with two community visits) triggered a query: <em>how is SALT different</em> from the participatory approaches predicated on Paolo's Freire's vision of social transformation, and the role of adult education? The answer…</p>
<p></p>
<p> Commitment to Paolo Friere's pedagogy of the oppressed and his education theory were detractors to a comprehensive understanding of SALT. It seemed natural to relate SALT with other practices of community engagement. The first SALT workshop in Karachi (2020, 5 days, with two community visits) triggered a query: <em>how is SALT different</em> from the participatory approaches predicated on Paolo's Freire's vision of social transformation, and the role of adult education? The answer was not as apparent as perhaps was needed, because the workshop focused on SALT and not on any comparison. How SALT contribute to the other practices of community engagement, was not an issue with SALT. How its new learners were to integrate it in their practices of community engagement was their issue? So a journey to understand SALT started, with more reflexivity than discussions. One had to curious enough to embark on this journey. The many who came to the first workshop and then never returned were perhaps not curious enough.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>The initial learning from the first SALT workshop in Karachi was simple: seek to know community's <em>collective responses</em> to collective issues; ask them about <em>humanity</em>; ask them what they did of which they are <strong>proud;</strong> and ask them to share their <em>vision</em> of their community in 10 years' time. But the history of SALT, as it rose from a focus on HIV AIDs to discovering that the path lay in an ownership of issue by the community; left another concept to chew on – <em>ownership.</em> Conceptually it made a lot of sense, but the how of achieving this was a challenge. Moreover, all along be able to <em>appreciate</em> was a significant addition. I would tell other SALT learners that I cannot give them a check list of appreciation. You have to have an open heart with which you observe what is around you as you engage people with SALT and see what you like. All this was done verbally, so SALT was a verbal interaction but with a depth that connected its users; and it made them move to take action. This was interesting. SALT triggered action, but the zest for action left something behind. It was not being used to galvanize other community members. In Mirpur Sakro ( a sub division of Thatta district adjacent to Karachi) a two hour SALT experience with a group of male villagers could not get them to share the key questions with other members of their village. Some members of the group just raced ahead for action for greater good of their villages. It seemed a bit haphazard, as villagers raced ahead of the SALT facilitator. Other experiences of using SALT as a set of key questions yielded similar results. Important to note that at this stage, self-assessment tool and action plans were not made. SALT was more than a set of questions, as it showed that those who responded to the question became active, but a challenge emerged in preparing those who were to raise the SALT questions. These were to be the facilitators, who struggled to be so. In this journey reading Jean Louis's book <em>What makes us Human</em>, was very help. A very reader friendly book, it wove stories to layout SALT. Its great example of a health worker saying<em>, I used to be a radio, then I became a recorder,</em> was frequently used. </p>
<p> </p>
<p>PRA (participatory rural assessment, or Participatory reflection and analysis as renamed by me ) offered visual tools for analysis by the community. Here SALT and PRA were seen to be on the same page. Both were committed to the centrality of the respondents. Thus, in the Indus Health Network, SALT was wedded to a group of PRA tools – e.g. social mapping; illness matrix, to name some. The PRA tools helped set a pathway for communities to collectively become conscious of their own socio cultural realities. This reflected Paolo Freire's learning cycle, which entailed the process of Reflection, Analysis and Action. In my experience, PRA tools followed the SALT approach. As we focused on the impact of SALT exercises (what is humanity, what are you proud of) a poignant discussion took place on the difference between <em>(1) what makes you human,</em> and <em>(2) what is humanity.</em> There was a curiosity to document the difference in outcome of these two exercises, but these analysts were not practioners of SALT. It soon became clear, that the former (i.e 1) brings attention to self, while the other focused more on thoughts. Hmmm… SALT was more interested in people becoming more conscious of who they are. This is step one of the CLCP learning cycle, but CLCP was a bit late in coming to Karachi. However, once it arrived (after some deliberations on the relationship between SALT and CLCP) it stayed and found a comfortable niche. Interestingly, CLCP was not mentioned in the first SALT workshop. In retrospect, it is OK, as the first workshop focused on the process of SALT.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>After the above preamble of sorts, one could ask: <em>so why is SALT to be the foundation of PRA ?</em> One reasons is obvious now. PRA focuses on the centrality of the oppressed/communities, and offers a process for their transformation and this is nested in the education theory of Paolo Friere. People are to be educated for liberation, and the process is the cycle of reflection, analysis and action. SALT is simpler and very straight forward. It is a strength based approach and seeks to have the oppressed/communities recognize their strength and build on it. Thus, despite the conceptual base of SALT and PRA being the same, a difference yet prevails. A difference that is to be appreciated, as learning SALT after knowing PRA is somewhat simpler than learning PRA after knowing SALT. This could be debatable, but appears to be so for me. Learning SALT became easier because of the entrenchment in Paolo Freire's thoughts and the participatory methodology tools that emanated from his thinking. (See 4 volumes of Training for Transformation). Without SALT PRA loses a base, with SALT as its foundation it stands on firmer ground</p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>Learning from Tasnim Apu: Be the Calm in the Stormtag:aidscompetence.ning.com,2024-02-10:2028109:BlogPost:2105252024-02-10T08:39:23.000ZSadia Jafrinhttps://aidscompetence.ning.com/profile/SadiaJafrin
<p>Have you ever felt like your emotions were running the show, steering you into rocky waters? I know that feeling all too well. Sometimes, it's like being on a rollercoaster with no off switch.</p>
<p><a href="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/12378081280?profile=original" rel="noopener" target="_blank"><img class="align-center" src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/12378081280?profile=RESIZE_710x"></img></a></p>
<p>Lately, I've been reflecting on this with a dear friend, Tasnim apu. She's got this incredible knack for staying calm and collected, even when the world…</p>
<p>Have you ever felt like your emotions were running the show, steering you into rocky waters? I know that feeling all too well. Sometimes, it's like being on a rollercoaster with no off switch.</p>
<p><a href="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/12378081280?profile=original" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/12378081280?profile=RESIZE_710x" class="align-center"/></a></p>
<p>Lately, I've been reflecting on this with a dear friend, Tasnim apu. She's got this incredible knack for staying calm and collected, even when the world feels like it's spinning out of control. Our chat really struck a chord with me.</p>
<p>See, I've always expected everyone to treat me with the same respect I offer them. But here's the kicker: not everyone operates with the same mindset. Not everyone's on the same page of the respect manual, so to speak.</p>
<p><em><strong>Tasnim apu dropped some wisdom bombs on me. She reminded me that while it's natural to want respect and equality, it's equally important to dial down those expectations. Not everyone's wired to see the world through the same lens.</strong></em></p>
<p>So, where does that leave us? Well, it's all about finding that sweet spot between managing our emotions and taming our expectations. It's like walking a tightrope – tricky, but not impossible.</p>
<p>I'm learning that by taking a step back, breathing deeply, and approaching situations with a level head, I can navigate through choppy emotional waters without capsizing. It's not about suppressing emotions but rather understanding and channeling them constructively.</p>
<p>And you know what? It's okay to lean on friends like Tasnim apu for support and guidance. We're all in this together, after all.</p>
<p>So, here's to finding balance – one deep breath at a time.</p>KF A rendezvous of affectiontag:aidscompetence.ning.com,2024-02-09:2028109:BlogPost:2102172024-02-09T11:00:00.000ZShahrukh Atpadehttps://aidscompetence.ning.com/profile/ShahrukhAtpade
<p>Knowledge Fair was organized by Rural Aid organization. For this, various organizations working in the context of SALT were called.</p>
<p><a href="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/12376799469?profile=original" rel="noopener" target="_blank"><img class="align-center" src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/12376799469?profile=RESIZE_710x" style="padding: 90px;" width="750"></img></a></p>
<p>We were very happy. To go to a new place, to meet new people, to learn new things, to draw strength from people.</p>
<p>We first traveled by plane and reached Jaigaon. Discussed with Rural Aid Team. A friendship…</p>
<p>Knowledge Fair was organized by Rural Aid organization. For this, various organizations working in the context of SALT were called.</p>
<p><a href="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/12376799469?profile=original" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/12376799469?profile=RESIZE_710x" width="750" class="align-center" style="padding: 90px;"/></a></p>
<p>We were very happy. To go to a new place, to meet new people, to learn new things, to draw strength from people.</p>
<p>We first traveled by plane and reached Jaigaon. Discussed with Rural Aid Team. A friendship developed between all of us.</p>
<p>We sat together on the first day and discussed SALT in various ways. Ritu made a conversation between the two teams.</p>
<p>We visited the Dima community and took SALT with them. One of the women in the group I was in got really excited while talking about her family. His daughter also became very excited while talking about her family.Although we are strangers, through SALT, in such a short time, they are confidently telling us what is close to their heart. This is only possible because of SALT. Gram Panchayat members expressed their opinion and it was clear that they are eager to bring about a lot of changes. And they are trying for it.I felt very good about their strength. People spoke with great confidence. Everyone has a lot of energy to work with.It was the day of Knowledge Fair. It was very cold that day. And we were all very excited. The program started with introductions. And this recognition was done through the game of ball. All were divided into Group SALT.I was accompanied by young women from the village. He shared his dreams for the village. I saw an energy in them. The energy they are transferring to each other is trying to create change together.</p>
<p>After that we told about the SALT that Avni team is taking in the villages of Kolhapur. SALT initiated changes in families through children, Anganwadi sevaks learned SALT changes at work, changes in women.</p>
<p><strong><a href="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/12377167064?profile=original" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/12377167064?profile=RESIZE_710x" width="750" class="align-center" style="padding: 90px;"/></a></strong></p>
<p>AER took place at the end of the program. Everyone gave their opinion in this.</p>
<p>I felt like this day would never end. Because when we are with the community, we let go of all the stress and revel in them.</p>
<p><a href="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/12377283291?profile=original" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/12377283291?profile=RESIZE_710x" width="750" class="align-center" style="padding: 90px;"/></a></p>
<p>I would definitely like to see everyone again. And would like to appreciate the work done by them. A community thrives only when we appreciate a job well done.</p>The art of genuine connection: Insights from heart to heart conversation with Sadia Jafrin aputag:aidscompetence.ning.com,2024-02-08:2028109:BlogPost:2101202024-02-08T11:00:00.000ZTasnim Chowdhury https://aidscompetence.ning.com/profile/TasnimChowdhury
<p><a href="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/12375207882?profile=original" rel="noopener" target="_blank"><img class="align-full" src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/12375207882?profile=RESIZE_710x"></img></a> Have you ever had a conversation with someone who consistently expresses their emotions genuinely? The most recent SALT discussion I had was with Sadia Jafrin apu where Instead of a structured conversation, we had a heart-to-heart conversation where we opened up about our deepest feelings and innermost ideas. During our conversation, there arose the…</p>
<p><a href="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/12375207882?profile=original" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/12375207882?profile=RESIZE_710x" class="align-full"/></a>Have you ever had a conversation with someone who consistently expresses their emotions genuinely? The most recent SALT discussion I had was with Sadia Jafrin apu where Instead of a structured conversation, we had a heart-to-heart conversation where we opened up about our deepest feelings and innermost ideas. During our conversation, there arose the over-present issue of anger, which many of us deal with on a daily basis.</p>
<p></p>
<p>However, what struck me about Sadia apu was her openness in addressing her own struggles with anger. She is a straightforward, genuine individual who tackles things straightaway. Even those that aren't pleasing, like anger, she doesn't hold back when expressing them. Her dedication to generating appreciation in her expressions of intense emotions is even more admirable. Her ability to listen is one of her most amazing qualities. In a world where conversations often feel rushed or superficial, she offers a refreshing contrast. She makes you feel heard and understood when she listens, because she listens with true attention. Sadia apu's commitment to practice appreciation, along with her genuineness, is what I believe is the most powerful one. She is excellent at recognizing the contributions and virtues of others; this is a talent that promotes optimism and strengthens bonds among people. Her commitment to appreciating those around her is not only commendable but also influential. It encourages me to develop an identical habit of appreciation, encouraging me to express gratitude towards others as much as I can.</p>
<p>In a society where we're often encouraged to mask our true emotions, people like Sadia apu stand out as genuine examples. They demonstrate to us the significance of embracing our humanity in all of its complexity. Therefore, avoid fleeing from painful emotions and accept them as opportunities for growth, learning, and real connection.</p>Blogs Facilitate Learning of SALTtag:aidscompetence.ning.com,2024-02-07:2028109:BlogPost:2102992024-02-07T12:02:38.000ZKausar Skhanhttps://aidscompetence.ning.com/profile/KausarSkhan
Blogs facilitate learning of SALT<br />
<br />
There is a push, gentle but persistent, to write blogs. Experience the push, and start pushing others. This is a wonderful approach for advancing the learning of SALT. What does this writing do ? As must be obvious to those with a flourish for writing blogs, experiences of SALT surface to endorse its learning, and its acceptance deepens within the writer of the blog. Ownership of SALT, as something that is practiced begins to take root. Let us remember, ideas…
Blogs facilitate learning of SALT<br />
<br />
There is a push, gentle but persistent, to write blogs. Experience the push, and start pushing others. This is a wonderful approach for advancing the learning of SALT. What does this writing do ? As must be obvious to those with a flourish for writing blogs, experiences of SALT surface to endorse its learning, and its acceptance deepens within the writer of the blog. Ownership of SALT, as something that is practiced begins to take root. Let us remember, ideas can be owned, but idea may sit pretty far from your inner being. SALT is part of the inner being, which enables to relate ideas with practice.<br />
The push for writing blogs in three colleagues led to one wonderful blog (she has already shared it), and another has also written but musing about it. The third colleague is still wondering about writing it. Another push is on its way.I will speak, I will be my strengthtag:aidscompetence.ning.com,2024-02-07:2028109:BlogPost:2101132024-02-07T07:30:00.000ZShahrukh Atpadehttps://aidscompetence.ning.com/profile/ShahrukhAtpade
<p style="text-align: left;">SALT Activity is conducted in Vashi village through the Avani organization.<br></br> A SALT family from Vashi village contacted me over the phone and asked me to take SALT in a family. There were some problems in that family regarding their children. I went to their house. There were 2 small rooms of 10 × 10. 1 elderly grandmother and a family of 4 lived in that house.<br></br> I started discussing with them and got to know them.</p>
<p style="text-align: left;">After a…</p>
<p style="text-align: left;">SALT Activity is conducted in Vashi village through the Avani organization.<br/> A SALT family from Vashi village contacted me over the phone and asked me to take SALT in a family. There were some problems in that family regarding their children. I went to their house. There were 2 small rooms of 10 × 10. 1 elderly grandmother and a family of 4 lived in that house.<br/> I started discussing with them and got to know them.</p>
<p style="text-align: left;">After a while the SALT process started Mother, father and little boy were talking. But their elder daughter who was in 8th grade was not talking. Everyone started telling good things about their life. Father and mother started talking very heartily. Parents encouraged their daughter to speak.</p>
<p style="text-align: left;">She started talking. She said, I am very scared. In the school I study in, a boy in my class used to abuse a lot. I didn't like it. I used to think that I should drop out of school and stay at home.<br/> After a few days it was realized that he was addressing me and insulting me. I felt very sorry for this. I came home and for one reason or another the school took a break. I did not say anything when my parents asked. I used to sit quietly at home. Didn't talk to anyone. My mother started to know that I was hiding something. When she took me closer and asked me, I told my mother everything that had happened.</p>
<p style="text-align: left;">After going to school with mother, mother told the teacher about this type and asked them to take action on it. Mother did all these activities for me without fear. I felt so much better. And I thought I want to be strong like my mother. She has to learn to deal with situations like hers. Today I feel great to share this story with everyone. My mind is opening up.</p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><br/> <strong>AER</strong><br/> <strong>1.</strong> Today I was able to talk to my parents very freely. <strong>-</strong> <strong>girl</strong><br/> <strong>2.</strong> As a father, I will strive to fulfill all the dreams of my family. <strong>- Father.</strong></p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><strong>Reflections</strong></p>
<ul>
<li style="text-align: left;">I came to know from this SALT that even when children are in some difficulty, they are not able to tell this to their family with confidence. But when we connect with them through SALT, they are able to tell, that too with courage.</li>
<li style="text-align: left;">Next time I go to a family to take SALT, I will encourage the children to speak more.</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/12374767866?profile=original" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/12374767866?profile=RESIZE_710x" class="align-full"/></a></p>SALT as part of everyday lifetag:aidscompetence.ning.com,2024-02-07:2028109:BlogPost:2101102024-02-07T05:30:00.000ZKausar Skhanhttps://aidscompetence.ning.com/profile/KausarSkhan
<p>SALT as part of Every Day Life<br></br> Kausar S Khan<br></br> <br></br> Aristotle spoke of ethics being a habit, and one wonders whether SALT can be a habit. Professionally using methodologies that bring into practice community centeredness, SALT became the foundational stone of all participatory methods – including participatory rural appraisal and theatre of the oppressed. Why is SALT the epicenter of all participatory approaches? The answer is simple; it draws attention to…</p>
<p>SALT as part of Every Day Life<br/> Kausar S Khan<br/> <br/> Aristotle spoke of ethics being a habit, and one wonders whether SALT can be a habit. Professionally using methodologies that bring into practice community centeredness, SALT became the foundational stone of all participatory methods – including participatory rural appraisal and theatre of the oppressed. Why is SALT the epicenter of all participatory approaches? The answer is simple; it draws attention to recognizing/believing/acknowledging the strength in the other. The other can be marginalized women in a village/neighborhood, or patients of care giver, or family care takers of a patient. You name it, everybody has strengths, even if they are not visible. SALT strives to work on the strength of people, and it also believes in the connectedness of individuals through their strengths.</p>
<p><br/> A cautionary note: SALT will always stump you if you deviate from its commitment to work on the strengths of the other. Such deviations are part of life, for after all we are not perfect.<br/> <br/> I have the good fortune to read classical Persian poets with my teachers. One couplet struck me as most significant, even as I kept mixing up the author – Rumi ? Saadi ? I would wonder and go back to the couplet. The message in it is simple: If the foundation of a wall is crooked, and you make a wall that reaches the sky, it will still be crooked. SALT is the foundation of all participatory approaches.</p>As doctors, we dream for you.....tag:aidscompetence.ning.com,2024-02-05:2028109:BlogPost:2102902024-02-05T06:54:11.000ZPadmavati Rhttps://aidscompetence.ning.com/profile/PadmavatiR
<p>Empowering persons with psychoses is a much-discussed topic the world over. Yet, where are we today?</p>
<p>As part of a dream-building activity at a SALT workshop, a group of us, all psychiatrists, dared to dream. One day - may this be the way!</p>
<p></p>
<p><strong>As doctors, we dream for you for you……</strong></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">We the doctors, say you have Psychoses – </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">for you a dreaded frightening…</span></p>
<p>Empowering persons with psychoses is a much-discussed topic the world over. Yet, where are we today?</p>
<p>As part of a dream-building activity at a SALT workshop, a group of us, all psychiatrists, dared to dream. One day - may this be the way!</p>
<p></p>
<p><strong>As doctors, we dream for you for you……</strong></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">We the doctors, say you have Psychoses – </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">for you a dreaded frightening condition</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">And we say - you need to take medication. </span></p>
<p></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Yet, we dream – of that day</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">When treatments are affordable and accessible</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">When the government brings its services to you and not the other way</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Of that magic potion, one shot, your ills that it will do away. </span></p>
<p></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">We dream </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Of the day </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">You need no rehab centers </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">For you to “recover” as they say</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">You are never at the margins</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Within the community you stay</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">And people come together, spontaneously</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">To give you the job that you need , </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">That makes you independent and able</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">We hope for that Sun’s ray</span></p>
<p></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">We dream of the space </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Where you can live safely</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Secure that you are cared for</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Yet, it is a place where you can move</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">In and out freely</span></p>
<p></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">We dream of the day</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">When you are the voice</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">You enact, you sing, or you dance</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">You talk to all out there</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Be it Diabetes or cancer</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Water Days or the Global warming</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Or even International women’s day</span></p>
<p></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">We dream </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">That one day </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The day when you will lead from the top</span></p>
<p>For you care, You will lead the way</p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">And you have the say</span></p>
<p></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">As doctors, We dream for you</span></p>
<p>One day - may this be the way!</p>SALT Conversations: A Guiding Light for Team Empowerment and Genuine Connectionstag:aidscompetence.ning.com,2024-02-03:2028109:BlogPost:2099812024-02-03T07:00:00.000ZSadia Jafrinhttps://aidscompetence.ning.com/profile/SadiaJafrin
<p>Have you ever felt that amazing spark when a team comes together to dream big? Well, we did! Last week, our team had this fantastic in-house SALT conversation and it turned out to be a game-changer for us.</p>
<p><a href="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/12373207697?profile=original" rel="noopener" target="_blank"><img class="align-left" src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/12373207697?profile=RESIZE_710x"></img></a> <br></br> Our team is getting bigger every day, and during the SALT conversation, I could feel this incredible group energy for the very first time. It…</p>
<p>Have you ever felt that amazing spark when a team comes together to dream big? Well, we did! Last week, our team had this fantastic in-house SALT conversation and it turned out to be a game-changer for us.</p>
<p><a href="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/12373207697?profile=original" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/12373207697?profile=RESIZE_710x" class="align-left"/></a><br/> Our team is getting bigger every day, and during the SALT conversation, I could feel this incredible group energy for the very first time. It was like we were all weaving this special connection among us. The secret ingredient? Deep listening – the magic potion for building new and heartfelt relationships within our team.</p>
<p><br/> The coolest part of our conversation was when we all put our heads together to dream up the future of our organization. The excitement and ideas were flowing like a river. But here's the twist – after dreaming big, we did a self-assessment. Each of us took a good look at our strengths and weaknesses. It was a bit like looking in the mirror, but what surprised me the most was how everyone owned up to their areas for improvement with real commitment.</p>
<p><img src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/12373208858?profile=RESIZE_710x" class="align-right"/><strong><em>Now, I've been in situations where I tried giving feedback to my team, trying to steer them toward growth. But guess what? The SALT conversation taught me something big – the power of self-assessment. Our team didn't just spot weaknesses; we also came up with practical steps to tackle them. It hit me – sometimes, the best solutions come from the team itself.</em></strong></p>
<p><br/> The real magic of the SALT conversation is in how it empowers each person and transforms the whole team. It's like having a safe space where everyone can share openly, discover hidden talents, and build genuine connections. We didn't just scratch the surface; we dove deep into what makes our team tick.<br/> As we took this journey, you could see the ripple effect. Team members started embracing their roles in our shared dream. The self-assessment became our compass, pointing us to areas that needed attention and improvement. No blame games here – just a culture of growth and learning.</p>
<p><br/> In a nutshell, our ride with SALT conversations was like catching a shooting star. It reminded us that every team holds untapped potential. As we keep growing – not just in numbers, but in spirit – the SALT conversation is our guiding light now. We're headed towards a future where dreams come true, weaknesses are embraced, and transformation is a journey we all take together. </p>
<p><span>I think when we practice listening and appreciating, a strong connection organically has been build us among the team. And when they built shared dream they felt empowered and urgency to take actions. Finally they were so curious to share new actions ideas. </span></p>What you have learnt is just a handful of sandtag:aidscompetence.ning.com,2024-02-01:2028109:BlogPost:2101882024-02-01T11:30:00.000ZRituu B. Nandahttps://aidscompetence.ning.com/profile/RituuBNanda94
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">From 30th Jan to 1st Feb I facilitated SALT and CLCP with Team PIECES from organisation called SCARF in Chennai, India. They are working towards patient-owned approach to mental illness. </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">When the whole group developed their dream, one of the sub-groups which called themselves Zen group shared their dream in the form of pictures and had powerful insights. I feel honoured to share it as a blog in their…</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">From 30th Jan to 1st Feb I facilitated SALT and CLCP with Team PIECES from organisation called SCARF in Chennai, India. They are working towards patient-owned approach to mental illness. </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">When the whole group developed their dream, one of the sub-groups which called themselves Zen group shared their dream in the form of pictures and had powerful insights. I feel honoured to share it as a blog in their language.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">This is from me and my colleague who have both discussed, how mental health will be envisioned 10 years from now. </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><strong>We feel that mental health problems should be treated like any other chronic disease.</strong> All of us have mental health problems to different degrees. Some of us have actually come out and talked about it, so it's <strong>about all of us coming and talking about it a</strong>nd that is the way taboo in society will be eliminated. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><strong>AI and technology</strong> is catching up and the human race is going to see an unprecedented change. Whether we like it or not, all our thoughts are going to be collected, and our collective IQs are going to be used to solve human problems. Elon Musk's Neuralink brain chip implanted in human beings attempts to do that. There will be a time when through technology where all thoughts will be archived and connected, everyone will know everybody's thoughts. If this is going to be the case, then why should a taboo be a taboo at all? <strong>It doesn't matter what age we are, even older people can learn from younger people.</strong> They shared two pictures to describe their thoughts.</span></p>
<p><br/> <span style="font-size: 12pt;">A chaiwala serving tea to all the people that he's met. And this is such a simple gesture but still it touches so many people's hearts and people don't forget once you get served tea. it's a gesture that comes from within, and is a symbolic of many things profound. <span>T<strong>he care one person has for another.</strong> Our intention <span class="gmail_default">was that</span> the same way we should all talk about mental health.</span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><a href="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/12372522483?profile=original" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/12372522483?profile=RESIZE_710x" class="align-right"/></a></span><br/><span style="font-size: 12pt;">We should all have a listening ear to people who want to share their experiences a good or bad. Chronic diseases should be considered ordinary not chronic because we should be able to control them<span class="gmail_default"></span> with a magic pill and it's not magic any more because science has found solution.In 10 years time mental health will come to a state <strong>one person can give another person a listening year that happens across societ</strong>y</span><br/></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><a href="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/12372522690?profile=original" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/12372522690?profile=RESIZE_710x" class="align-right"/></a></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Second picture is Buddha with his eyes closed and meditating. This is </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">symbolic of <strong>people knowing everything about themselves when they lead their lives</strong>. This is an epitome of human consciousness. So we are all conscious beings and when we know that this is the truth and we will be able to solve, not just our own problems, but other people's problems as well. </span></p>
<p></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><strong>Concluded with a quote</strong></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><em><strong>What you have learnt is just a handful of sand. What You have not is as big as this world</strong></em>. (English adaptation of a Tamil proverb by the renowned poetess Avvaiyar. It shows that there is unlimited knowledge waiting for us to learn "கற்றது கை மண் அளவு கல்லாதது உலகளவு" - ஔவையார்</span><br/> <br/> <br/> <br/> <span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>The Transformative Power of SALT: A New Lens on Patient-Centered Approachtag:aidscompetence.ning.com,2024-02-01:2028109:BlogPost:2100822024-02-01T09:57:09.000ZMaria Baighttps://aidscompetence.ning.com/profile/MariaBaig
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">In my ten-year journey as a clinical psychologist, I have had the privilege of witnessing the dynamic changes in mental health practices. While firmly grounded in the fundamental principles of Carl Rogers' patient-centered approach, my 1-year long exposure to SALT has been truly transformative. This innovative methodology has provided me with a renewed perspective, placing the patient in the role of the expert rather than the therapist.…</span></p>
<p></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">In my ten-year journey as a clinical psychologist, I have had the privilege of witnessing the dynamic changes in mental health practices. While firmly grounded in the fundamental principles of Carl Rogers' patient-centered approach, my 1-year long exposure to SALT has been truly transformative. This innovative methodology has provided me with a renewed perspective, placing the patient in the role of the expert rather than the therapist.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">SALT has reshaped my perception of patient-centered care, departing from conventional methods where the therapist assumes the lead. This shift in paradigm has been enlightening, leading me to reconsider numerous instances in my practice where alternative and potentially more effective approaches could have been applied.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Beyond expanding my therapeutic toolkit, SALT has acted as a catalyst for personal and professional growth. Each encounter now serves as an opportunity to refine my skills and deepen my understanding of the individuals I am privileged to work/interact with. The prospect of naturally incorporating this approach into my everyday life fills me with excitement.</span></p>SALT makes me more connected..!!tag:aidscompetence.ning.com,2024-01-29:2028109:BlogPost:2099642024-01-29T06:32:52.000ZHarini Jayaraman https://aidscompetence.ning.com/profile/HariniJayaraman
<p><span>I have been practising SALT for the past few months and I feel more connected with people. SALT has made me have in-depth conversations with my closed circle, where I can feel their emotions as I'm more present in the conversation. Sometimes, when I can only have conversations over phone, SALT has helped me "be there" with the person talking. It has made long distance, short.</span></p>
<p><span>SALT conversations has helped me understand a different perspective (perspective of the…</span></p>
<p><span>I have been practising SALT for the past few months and I feel more connected with people. SALT has made me have in-depth conversations with my closed circle, where I can feel their emotions as I'm more present in the conversation. Sometimes, when I can only have conversations over phone, SALT has helped me "be there" with the person talking. It has made long distance, short.</span></p>
<p><span>SALT conversations has helped me understand a different perspective (perspective of the individual) of a situation, where I was also a part earlier. It has made me appreciate the differences. I feel more happier and satisfied after having conversations applying SALT. </span></p>
<p><span>I am an extrovert by nature and SALT has helped me have meaningful conversations with strangers. It has helped me initiate personal conversations with strangers, but I feel challenging to sustain and complete a conversation with them.</span></p>
<p><span>With conscious and consistent efforts, I have made attempts to improve relationships in my life and I am proud of the efforts taken. <a href="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/12367398674?profile=original" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/12367398674?profile=RESIZE_710x" width="229" class="align-center"/></a></span></p>Learning along the waytag:aidscompetence.ning.com,2024-01-29:2028109:BlogPost:2099662024-01-29T06:30:00.000ZKrishna Priya https://aidscompetence.ning.com/profile/KrishnaPriya
<p>I have found that using salt as a starting point for conversations has been helpful for me. However, in the beginning, it was not easy to incorporate salt into my conversations in a subtle manner. It took me a long time to even consider using salt approaches, and I often found it challenging to bring up salt components during conversations. I have even avoided using this approach as I was uncertain about how to integrate it into my discussions. Since most of my conversations have been with…</p>
<p>I have found that using salt as a starting point for conversations has been helpful for me. However, in the beginning, it was not easy to incorporate salt into my conversations in a subtle manner. It took me a long time to even consider using salt approaches, and I often found it challenging to bring up salt components during conversations. I have even avoided using this approach as I was uncertain about how to integrate it into my discussions. Since most of my conversations have been with my family members and people I have known for a long time, talking about their strengths and accomplishments has been easier than I anticipated. These conversations have strengthened our relationships and helped us understand each other better. Focusing on strengths during small talk has given us hope and a sense of companionship. It has also created a safe space for us to share general family issues.</p>
<p>However, since we are family, we are not used to appreciating each other, it often feels artificial. I have struggled to handle situations where the person becomes very emotional. It was also challenging to get back to the topic if the conversation deviated. Initially, I found it difficult to talk about experiences that I could not relate to, which limited the duration of the conversation. However, as I have had more conversations with people, I have been able to overcome these obstacles step by step.</p>When you have no support, be your own pillar!tag:aidscompetence.ning.com,2024-01-21:2028109:BlogPost:2102492024-01-21T15:30:00.000ZRituu B. Nandahttps://aidscompetence.ning.com/profile/RituuBNanda94
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">It was a hazy winter evening at the Tea garden community of Dima, around 4 pm- 20th Jan'24. We had conducted one home SALT visit. Nityam and Rati urged us to do another SALT visit to the home of a tea garden worker- Pushpa . Anuradhaji, Shahrukh, and me, we joined them.…</span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">It was a hazy winter evening at the Tea garden community of Dima, around 4 pm- 20th Jan'24. We had conducted one home SALT visit. Nityam and Rati urged us to do another SALT visit to the home of a tea garden worker- Pushpa . Anuradhaji, Shahrukh, and me, we joined them.</span><span style="font-weight: 400;"><a href="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/12364077480?profile=original" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/12364077480?profile=RESIZE_710x" width="325" height="245" class="align-right"/></a></span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">We sat in the courtyard, with the charming background of the cradle of Pusha's baby girl. </span><span style="font-weight: 400;">Reflecting on her adolescence, Pushpa recounted the challenges she faced when her mother passed away during the 10th grade. As the eldest of four sisters, she took on the responsibility when her father fell severely ill. <em>People around pitied us, they said we had no brother to handle this difficult situation. I realized I had to rely on myself.</em> She left no stone unturned. As a young girl she for the first time visited hospitals, travelled to another city alone by train to procure medicine for her ailing father. <a href="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/12364077299?profile=original" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/12364077299?profile=RESIZE_710x" class="align-right" width="140" height="399"/></a></span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400; font-size: 12pt;">Marriage brought its own set of challenges, but having navigated the significant hurdle of her father's illness alone, Pushpa discovered an inner strength that enabled her to face subsequent difficulties. She has also noticed the strengths in her seven-year-old son. During their travels, he offers clues when she forgets the way. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><strong>What can we learn from your life, we asked her:</strong></span></p>
<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400; font-size: 12pt;">Never let any challenge weigh you down; give it a try—your effort is sufficient. Trust in your own capacity!</span></li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400; font-size: 12pt;">Everyone, even small children, have something to teach. Be open to learning from everyone.</span></li>
</ul>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Pushpa embodies the wisdom of this Spanish proverb- "</span><i><span style="font-weight: 400;">Where there is no help, the heart must lean heavily on itself</span></i><span style="font-weight: 400;">." </span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-weight: 400;"><span>"<em>But sometimes, when there is belief in one's self, and one lets things happen, believing that even a setback is part of the course of one's life - then exciting and fascinating surprises occur.</em>" - Y Hecht</span></span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-weight: 400;"><strong>My reflection as a facilitator from the above SALT conversation</strong>: SALT helps us realize that<span> each individual possesses an innate power. When this power is activated, it serves as a catalyst, stimulating individuals to shape their own lives. The more we facilitate SALT, the more we encounter strengths in others. </span></span>This gradually and organically diminishes our mindset to be the experts and the power we may exert over others as facilitators, prompting us to let go. </span></p>Ashirbad: A blessing to alltag:aidscompetence.ning.com,2024-01-20:2028109:BlogPost:2099412024-01-20T06:23:49.000ZSneha Farzanahttps://aidscompetence.ning.com/profile/SnehaFarzana
<p>There is a saying in English, "<em>The wearer knows best where the shoe pinches".</em> Mean he who hurts is understood best. We also think that the problems of every community, every society are known and understood only by the people of that society. So before we do anything, we first sit down with our community and try to understand their needs.<a href="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/12361826859?profile=original" rel="noopener" target="_blank"><img class="align-full" src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/12361826859?profile=RESIZE_710x"></img></a></p>
<p>In…</p>
<p>There is a saying in English, "<em>The wearer knows best where the shoe pinches".</em> Mean he who hurts is understood best. We also think that the problems of every community, every society are known and understood only by the people of that society. So before we do anything, we first sit down with our community and try to understand their needs.<a href="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/12361826859?profile=original" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/12361826859?profile=RESIZE_710x" class="align-full"/></a></p>
<p>In continuation of this, <strong>Ashirbad</strong> went to Bin Para last week to hear their problems from their mouths. We were accompanied by Shantidi of <em>Ashirbad,</em> Ranjan Dada of <em>Desh Organization</em> as our support partner and one of our facilitator. Working through <strong>SALT</strong> will build up ownership among each community member so that they become adept at solving their own problems. We have open discussions with everyone in Bin Para to understand how this <strong>SALT</strong> term of the <strong>Arc</strong> Project will work in the community. Various issues are discussed with the aim of working together with community members to ensure their participation in this work.</p>
<p><a href="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/12361836282?profile=original" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/12361836282?profile=RESIZE_710x" class="align-right"/></a>The members present commit themselves to cooperate with us. We hope that with the joint participation and cooperation of all these backward Dalit groups of the society will start moving into the mainstream of the society. <strong>"Arshirbad"</strong> will always be by their side to help them earn their place in society by acquiring ownership.</p>