Bridging Dreams Through SALT: A Visit to Suchana Organisation

[Nityam Ghosh]

Hello everyone!
We are Nityam, Ujana, and Pancham — SALT facilitators from the Rural Aid Organisation. A few days ago, we had the wonderful opportunity to visit the Suchana Organisation as part of a SALT learning exchange. What we experienced there was not just a visit, but a meaningful connection rooted in shared values and community dreams.

Our SALT Journey So Far

Our journey with SALT began in mid-2022. In the beginning, it was just a new concept — but over time, as we engaged with communities and practiced the approach more deeply, we began to truly understand the power of SALT. It shaped not only how we work but also how we see the people around us — not for their needs, but for their strengths, stories, and dreams.

One beautiful realization was how closely the dreams of our organisation aligned with those of the ARC cohort. At the heart of both is a simple yet powerful idea: we support each other to grow and learn through SALT.

Learning with Suchana Organisation

During our visit, we facilitated group SALT conversations with men and adolescents from Suchana’s communities. We also had the chance to explore their museum — a living space full of stories, heritage, and pride.

What stood out most was the remarkable strength in their people — their love for the community, kindness, honesty, hard work, and deep cultural consciousness. Even as they adopt new technologies and embrace modern tools, they continue to preserve their cultural roots with pride. It was inspiring to see how they are blending the old and the new, with respect and harmony.

Facilitators Learning from Facilitators

One of the most meaningful moments was when we did SALT with the facilitators of Suchana. It was not just a session — it was a mutual exchange. We learned from each other. One key insight we gained was this: when the dream of the organization is aligned with the dream of the individuals in it, work becomes joyful and deeply fulfilling.
Such as - We learned this lesson when we launched an initiative focused on community sustainability. Initially, we thought it was solely the organization's responsibility, but as we began involving local people in the initiative, we saw that many individuals shared the same aspiration — they wanted a better, sustainable future for their village, their children, and the generations to come.

When we assigned responsibilities based on people's interests — for example, someone was passionate about education, another about community ownership — they didn’t treat it just as “work,” but embraced it as a “mission.” That’s when we deeply understood that when an individual’s dream aligns with the organization’s purpose, the work doesn’t feel like a burden — it becomes a joyful and inspiring journey.
We visited the Suchana organization to support one another and learn from each other. We shared our step-by-step experience of how we are applying the SALT approach in our community, and how we are taking concrete steps toward realizing the dream of our organization—so that we can see our dream come to life. We shared this experience to help them better understand the process.
Despite this being our first meeting, it felt like we had known each other for years. That’s the beauty of SALT — it builds connections rooted in trust, empathy, and shared purpose.

Moving Forward, Together

As SALT facilitators, one of our core roles is to encourage others — not only to practice SALT but also to recognize and appreciate the strengths and actions of those around us. When we do this, we create a culture of learning and dreaming together.

Our visit to Suchana reminded us that we are not alone in this journey. Across organizations and communities, there are people who believe in the same dream — a dream of change driven by strengths, hope, and human connection.

Let’s keep learning, sharing, and walking this path — together.

[Shahrukh Atpade]

Such meetings give each other enthusiasm and strength to work. You have conveyed your wonderful experience to us through your blog.