I recently had the opportunity to participate in the ARC South Asia Regional Convening from May 6th to May 10th in the beautiful city of Pokhara, Nepal. It was a very important and memorable experience for me. The event brought together 21 organizations from four cohorts across India, Bangladesh, and Nepal, including Mangrove Hill, Pyaro Bandan Bangladesh, and the Sarambha cohort. As part of the Nepal cohort, we had been implementing Address Root Causes for only about 10 months, so this was…

While conducting individual SALT conversations in the community, our team found that an elderly group who regularly gathered at a local temple nearby our office. This observation gave an idea to me what if we created a space for them to share their voices collectively? After returning to the office, our team reflected and decided that conducting a Group SALT…

An attempt was made to have an individual SALT conversation with a 23-year-old woman from a marginalized community. When the facilitators arrived at her home, she was alone. They greeted her warmly and tried to start a conversation, but she refused to talk. The next day, they visited again, but this time she did not even open the door. This was unexpected, especially because all the facilitators were women. Feeling concerned and curious, the team spoke with a neighbor to understand the…

Some life stories don’t just inspire us they stay with us, quietly reshaping how we see strength, struggle, and purpose. This is the story of one such extraordinary woman whose journey left a deep impression on me. She began her life with ambition and determination, building her livelihood through hard work and persistence in the business world. Like many entrepreneurs, she dreamed of stability and success. But life, as it often does, brought unexpected challenges. Over time, her business…

It has been about two months since my team started working with the community through the SALT approach. During this period, I have encountered many different kinds of people each with their own stories, struggles, and unique ways of seeing their community. Every visit teaches something new. In the same process, our team went to a squatter settlement community where ARC had been implemented, to conduct SALT . From the very beginning, many community members shared one common concern: they…

It has been six months since I started implementing ARC, and during this time I have learned many things. One of the most important learnings has been my personal growth. At the community level, the SALT in community has taught me a lot, and I am still learning every day. More than anything, SALT conversations have helped me understand my in-laws more deeply and strengthen my connection with them. I first learned about SALT through a Relationship Expansion Workshop. During the three-day…

During a recent SALT conversation, I met a 21-year-old young woman. Initially, she was hesitant to speak with me. I explained that sharing her story with a stranger in a safe and confidential space could lighten her heart, and that I would not judge her or share her story with others. After understanding this, she agreed to participate in the SALT conversation. At first, I asked her to share a proud moment from her life. As she began to speak, tears welled up in her eyes. Gradually, she…