One Day, Two Worlds: Dream Building to Baby Crying

[Nusrat Jahan Priya]

Have you ever had a day like this — where you learned something in the morning and then applied it in real life in the afternoon? How did it go for you? I’d love to hear your story!

But now I want to share my story with you all.

I recently joined GYRF. From the very beginning, I loved how we do SALT, group SALT, and appreciate each other's strengths. While doing documentation, I saw how our Joynagar High School team built their dreams and assessed their dreams on their own. I was super excited to learn about both — how people build their own dreams and how they can assess their progress. I really wanted to see this with my own eyes.

Our Byaspur community has been doing SALT for almost a year. So now it’s the perfect time to check — are they getting closer to their dream or moving away from it? What can they do next?

We’re working with 5 paras of the Byaspur community and one high school. We already did 2 self-assessments in Joynagar High School. So we planned to do the same in other areas (para) too. We chose Hijlipara because people there said they wanted to assess their progress. For me, it was a big learning moment. I’ve written about dream building and self-assessment, but I had never seen it before. So we planned a bit differently this time. We planned that first we will learn how to conduct a dream building and self-assessment and then we will apply this learning in the community. Prakash bhai and Manira apu will also learn how to conduct self-assessment so that they can also conduct this part when we will not be around.

So according to the plan, on a cloudy day we went to Monira apu’s home for a team session. Sadia apu asked us to write our expectations for the session. I wrote, “I want to learn about the components of self-assessment and how to conduct such a session so that I can do it too.” After writing this, I felt clear about what I wanted to learn. She then explained what basically self-assessment is, why we do self-assessment. She further added that this self-assessment is one kind of MEAL. Normally in MEAL, people evaluate through surveys. Community people do not evaluate their own progress. But here in the self-assessment, community people evaluate themselves. So they can see the impact of their own, and it makes them more responsible for their work and progress.

After explaining this, she told us to do a group SALT. I felt so amazing after doing this activity. Because I talk with Prakash bhai and Monira apa every other day but couldn't know about them that well. But through this activity I got to know how visionary and hardworking Manira apa is. Also I get to know about Prakash bhai’s kind nature towards animals and humans. This activity made me realize sometimes we need to sit with people to learn about them. I felt amazing to learn from them.

After that, Sadia apu asked us, “What is your dream about SALT in 2028?” She gave us time to think and told us to express our dream using a song, poem, or painting. We thought deeply—what do we want to do with SALT? What change do we want to see? Then we painted our dream and wrote it on a poster.

After that, Sadia apu explained the components of self-assessment and asked us to assess our own dreams. Sometimes we agreed, sometimes disagreed. We had real discussions to find a common point.

And guess what I learned from this session?

1. I got to know the importance of SALT vividly. I saw how it helps us truly understand people — their values, dreams, and strengths. And how it creates space for deep listening, connection, and learning beyond everyday conversations.
2. Even though I talk with Prakash Bhai and Monira Apu regularly, the group SALT session helped me see a new side of them. For me, SALT feels like a magical tool that reveals the unknown, hidden stories within people.
3. During SALT, it’s better if only selected people are present. Outsiders can create distractions, especially when people share personal stories.
4. We often work and work, but we forget to check how far we’ve come. Self-assessment works like a tracker. It shows me where I am, where I want to go, and how to move forward.
5. To assess a dream properly, we need observation, proof, and honest discussion. Without real evidence, we can't measure progress.
6. Asking the right questions is key. It helps us go deeper.

With this learning and excitement, I went to the Hijlipara community in the afternoon to apply what I learned. I sat with 6 parents and conducted the session for almost 2 hours. Sadia apu was a big help the whole time. But then I realized — conducting a SALT session isn’t as easy as I thought!

Here’s why:

1. I was super excited for my first time leading a session in the community. But it was hard to keep everyone focused. Kids were crying, fighting, or asking to go home — it was really challenging to hold attention.
   
   
2. I thought the parents would connect easily with me since they already know us. But surprisingly, they were shy and didn’t open up easily.
   
   
3. Sometimes I didn’t know what to ask next. I got stuck. I wanted to ask the right questions so they could reflect properly. Here, Sadia apu really supported me. She asked helpful questions and gave examples they could relate to.
   
   

What I learned from this second session:

1. Conducting a community session is not easy — it needs a lot of patience.
   
   
2. When the session is in an open field, there will be distractions. You have to plan for it and keep people engaged.
   
   
3. Asking questions and giving real-life examples is super important to guide the group.
   
   
4. I need to visit the community more often. When people feel comfortable with me, they will share more openly.
   
   

That day, I had two different experiences with the same activity. In Monira apu’s home, I learned how to conduct a self-assessment. It went so smoothly that I thought it would be easy in the community. But in Hijlipara, I got the real taste of what it’s like to do it in the community. Both were valuable — one helped me understand the method, the other showed me the reality.

After this hectic day, our GYRF team went to Maheshpur Rail Station to relax and enjoy some fun team time. The place was truly magical — the sky was painted with beautiful colors, and we felt lost in the beauty of nature.

After spending some peaceful moments there, we made our way back home with happy hearts.

[Prokash Biswas]

wonderful blog

[Shahrukh Atpade]

This day will definitely be remembered by you. Because there are some things in life that we need to learn and bring into our lives. The conversations we had on this day will definitely help you when you go out into the community.

[Nusrat Jahan Priya]

Sadia apu, you inspired me everyday. Everyday I learn a lot from you. I am forever greatful for all the learning❤️🙏

[Nusrat Jahan Priya]

Thank you Rakibul Islam bhai. Hope we will do a SALT conversation soon.

[Nusrat Jahan Priya]

Yes Prakash bhai. We will learn together.

[Nusrat Jahan Priya]

Thank you so much Bayazid bhai. I always get inspired by your work. Hope to meet you soon.

[Bayazid Bostami]

Amazing work! This is truly impressive.

[Sadia Jafrin]

It was such a heartfelt and emotional moment during our group SALT conversation that morning—something I’ll never forget. I’ll truly cherish that time for the rest of my life.

Thank you so much, Priya, for opening up and sharing such personal stories with us. I’m deeply grateful for your honesty and trust. Your reflections were incredibly moving, and your insights—both in the conversation and through your blog—are so clear and thoughtful.

It’s evident that you’ve understood and embraced so much with depth and clarity, and I’m genuinely learning a lot from you.

[Prokash Biswas]

wonderful moment I am learning everything. 

[Md.Rakibul Islam]

  Good job