From “Me” to “We”: A Story of Connection, Dreams, and Possibilities

[Sunita Aryal]

I was born in a rural village, surrounded by green hills, terraced fields, and the scent of fresh soil. My childhood was simple and full of nature’s beauty. But because there was no school in the village, my parents had to move me to the city. That’s how I came to Kathmandu, where I lived with my sister and completed my SEE exams from Koteshwor.
Life in the city was not easy—crowded, competitive, and often overwhelming. Yet, my heart always stayed rooted in the village. That’s why I chose to finish my high school studies back home, and today I am continuing my Bachelor’s degree.

Beginning My Social Journey From a young age, I wanted to stand beside people in need and share their struggles. No one in my family was involved in social service, but I was deeply inspired by an elder sister who encouraged me to walk this path.
Even though I always carried this passion, I used to remain within a small circle, with very little exposure to the outside world. Now, with a stronger sense of purpose, I move forward with a clear determination—to give back to society and contribute to positive change.

It was a blessing for me to find Peace for People (P4P). This organization became more than an opportunity—it became a bridge, giving me a new perspective on life. Through P4P, I discovered social responsibility, leadership, and a deeper sense of service to the community.

The Journey of Connection - When I first traveled to Kathmandu for the ARC “Sambandha Bistar” workshop (August 18–20, 2025), I carried both excitement and fear. A new place, new people, and such a deep theme—“connection”—all of this made me nervous. Questions filled my mind: Will I be able to speak openly? Will I fit in? In the beginning, I felt small and inexperienced compared to the others. But conversations with my friends Sristi, Nawaz, and Ritu gave me courage and confidence. Slowly, I realized this was not just another training. It was a journey of self-discovery.

We were five organizations from Nepal—UNICON, CWSN, Kopila Nepal, Peace for People, and Sakhi—coming from different backgrounds but united by one dream: to learn and practice SALT. SALT is about listening deeply, valuing others, and respecting every voice. Through SALT, I understood something powerful: everyone carries potential. Now, I know I can encourage and appreciate my family and friends in my personal life. In my professional life, I can value the contributions of my colleagues, work together in harmony, and create a positive environment of shared learning. SALT has given me tools for hope, collaboration, and leadership.

Meeting Myself Again One moment of the workshop touched me deeply. We were told: “Take some time with yourself.” At first, I was confused. But as I started writing, hidden emotions surfaced. Suddenly, tears rolled down my cheeks without me even realizing.
For years, I had been listening to others, caring for others, understanding others. But myself? My own pains, feelings, and dreams—I had ignored them for so long.
That moment gave me the gift of reconnecting with my inner self. I realized the most important relationship in life is the one we have with ourselves.

The Power of Listening Later, we were paired with strangers to share our hearts. At first, I doubted—Will they understand me? Can I make them feel safe? But when we both spoke openly, something magical happened.
I felt a deep connection, and I understood how priceless it is to listen and to be truly heard.

We were reminded: “Dreams are usually seen with closed eyes.”
But here, we dreamed with our eyes open—imagining one village, one community, one life, and how we could move forward together for the next 15 years. It was not only imagination; it was the beginning of a plan.

Heart-to-Heart Connections Another session was about sharing our achievements. Speaking with complete honesty, I opened my heart. At one point, I used the phrase “Heart-to-Heart Connection.” Everyone laughed lightly at the words, but for me, it was something very real. I had truly felt a bond of sincerity and trust. That connection grew, not only with one person, but with the entire GFC family.

A Short Time, A Deep Impact The program ran from 9 am to 5 pm each day, but the atmosphere was so warm and joyful that time never felt like a burden.
Though it lasted only three days, the impact went far beyond. I was able to express feelings I had carried for years. And most importantly—I found myself again.

Conclusion What I learned through ARC and SALT will guide me far beyond this workshop. ARC showed me how to listen, reflect, and work together. SALT reminded me to see the potential within every person, to encourage them, to share what I’ve learned, and to create spaces where others can also grow.

Together, these lessons give me hope that we can bring real, lasting change in our communities.

Because the journey of life begins with me—but it only become

[shristi joshi]

Very proud of you Sunita! Every line has so much depth in it. It was indeed a journey of self-discovery for you and for everyone else. Looking forward to reading your blogs.

[Lipika Das Gupta]

We are so proud of you dearest sister, we all are connected heart to heart and soul to soul ❤️ 

[Rituu B. Nanda]

Meeting Myself Again- what a powerful reflection on relationship with self. Thank you so much Sunita!

[Pooja Rana (Maya)]

So proud of you Sunita. Keep Shine.