SALT- more than a conversation.

[Mariam Atia Azad]

My name is Mariam Atia Azad, and I work at Grow Your Reader Foundation, a non-profit organization based in Bangladesh.

In our drive to achieve success, we often forget what we leave behind when climbing to the top. On the other hand, we can also become too dependent on others to achieve something. This thinking only about oneself or dependency, is where I believe true meaningful development is lost. The ideology of SALT is a great approach to this way of thinking.

I attended a two-day SALT training session hosted by Global Fund For Children and facilitated by two amazing facilitators, Rituu and Shahnawaz, which completely changed my way of thinking. It was such a learning experience, not only from the session but from the extraordinary cohort members who had participated along with me. On the last day of the training period, it felt like all of us had known each other from long before, laughing and sharing as if we were long-lost friends. This bond motivated us to come together, developing a sense of shared responsibility, and focus on sustaining communities and making them realize that they have the tools and the skills required to sustain themselves all along. 

It is a fact that listening is learning. When we truly try to listen and understand someone, we get to learn about them, and their innermost thoughts and concerns. SALT advocates the ability of a deeper understanding through listening, that every individual possesses the transformative power of listening and understanding and the eagerness to be listened to and understood.

This approach extends not only at a personal level but also to an organizational level, where a change in the workplace can be done and even at a community level. It just requires one to listen with their heart. During our collective dream-building exercise, I wrote a poem that I would like to share:

                          When we come together for the knowledge we share,

                                     Appreciating others with love and care,

                                  Learning and listening for we are not alone,

                                 Together we march towards one shared goal!

[Yamini Suvarna]

Hi Mariam! I may have never met you but SALT has connected us. May our hearts always listen to each other

[Rituu B. Nanda]

 I highly value your insights and creativity, Mariam. Thank you

[Sadia Jafrin]

WOW Mariam I liked your poem so much. It's an honor to work with you. I always learn a lot from you. Keep sharing!