Two weeks of SALTiness :-)

[Yumilah Govinden]

I am profoundly impressed by the program. It made me think of the Salt March initiated by Gandhi which was an act of nonviolent civil disobedience in colonial India so as indian are allowed to produce salt from the seawater in the coastal village, as was the practice of the local populace until British officials repeatedly used force to stop it.
The program to me is a non violent and legitimate act to make education accessible to each and everybody. It is giving back the power to the people. It is an empowerment program which is giving the impulse to people of vulnerable groups and poverty pockets to think and awake from years of unworthiness. It is clear that the program aim is long term and impactful. Emphasis is put on the identity of self which is undoubtedly a facet of an individual often overlooked by the mainstream educational system. Furthermore, the program reflect a lot on the cooperation and team spirit which is required for a community to move out of poverty. The fight against poverty is not an individual one but of many. The program reinforces the empathy and compassionate nature which is innate to humans but which tend to be disregarded.
The individual following the program is slowly and surely given the tools to tap into his or her own creativity and intelligence so as he/she takes the initiatives needed for him/her to move out of the undesired situation he/she is and strives towards a better and more comfortable,feel good one.
Throughout the program one common and powerful word is heard repeatedly and that is "education". The people knows the importance of education but life circumstances made them move away from it. So, we can feel how grateful and blessed they feel to be given this program. We can say for sure that this program is the first stepping stone to a change in consciousness. We not only hear the cry of these people who want more than ever to move out of poverty but we also see their thirst for education, for being heard and seen and given a chance to reclaim a power they have lost,that of being complete and whole individuals so as they can exert their free will,their right to choose. I believe that no government, nobody has the right to impose poverty on an individual. The latter should be given all the means to rise and succeed and lead a decent life where his/her dignity is preserved then only we can say whether poverty is a choice or not.
Mr Autry Haynes has been a real inspiration and it has been a pleasure and an honour being part of the program on these past two weeks.

[Autry Haynes]

What meaningful introduction of yourself here, Yumilla, kudos! We are sure your future sharing shall be as much or even more inspiring. (^_^)

Autry 

[Rituu B. Nanda]

Am very happy to learn from your experience Yumilah. SALT has also been used by Handicap International Mozambique. Warm greetings! And please call me Rituu:-)

[Yumilah Govinden]

You are welcome madam Rituu B.Nanda. I'm a student at University and was introduced to SALT through work placement for an NGO called MAM. Before going back to University, i was a disability empowerment officer for an NGO. So, i'm delighted with the SALT approach as it's consolidating greatly my knowledge of empowerment. I'm assisting during a few of the SALT sessions with Mr Autry. I will share more of my experience and how i'm applying it. 

[Rituu B. Nanda]

Thanks to you Yumilah we got to learn on what is happening in Mauritius. Did you try applying SALT?