No one said the NGO would fulfil our dream

[Rituu B. Nanda]

It was a late winter afternoon when we arrived at the home of a woman in a village, Joka area of West Bengal, India where  NGO Jeevika is facilitating a community-led process using the SALT approach. About twenty women and adolescent girls from two hamlets, Shahdara Para and Hathipara, were waiting for us. There was excitement in the air, as both hamlets had a surprise planned for us. They presented their dream of what their hamlet could look like thirty years from now. Many women said they would be old by then, and the adolescent girls laughed, saying they would be mothers of teenagers in thirty years. Both groups shared their dream of a healthier future.

Group from Shahdara Para spoke about their concerns regarding the excessive use of mobile phones by children and the importance of nutritious food. The group from Hathipara felt that a healthier future was possible if there were a park in their area, where children could practise yoga and play safely. They spoke about how boys often spend time loitering or playing on the road, which is risky.

Gradually, the discussion moved beyond children. They reflected that people of all ages in the village need to exercise and eat nutritious food. They had brought a basket of organic vegetables from their kitchen garden. Two of these vegetables, they explained, help reduce blood pressure and keep sugar levels in check. “We don’t use face or hair creams,” they shared proudly. “We use aloe vera.”

I appreciated  that they were already moving towards the future they were dreaming of. They said yes, but added that men and boys need to be involved to truly fulfil this dream. Together, they felt they could approach the local government to ask for a park.

Their dream was expressed not only through drawings, but also through dance and poetry. There was determination in their eyes and deep emotion on their faces as they spoke about achieving what they envisioned. Very importantly, no one suggested that the NGO should fulfil their dream.

When I gently asked what had given them this strong sense of ownership, they said that after the SALT conversations they had realised their  inner strength, “অভ্যন্তরীণ ক্ষমতা” (obhbhontorin khomota, in the local language). This realisation gave them the confidence that they could do something themselves. As they began sharing their deeper concerns which each others they discovered that they held similar aspirations.

Takeaways

1. Communities have lived experience and local knowledge, outsiders have to refrain from educating them and link them with information if and whe they feel that they require to fulfill their dream.

2.People have an inner capacity that may lie dormant. When this is sparked, it can give a wind to their dreams.

[Shahrukh Atpade]

This blog beautifully demonstrates the power of the SALT approach, which empowers women and girls in the community to realize their inner strength. These women and girls were not just dreaming about the future, but were implementing those dreams today through healthy habits and collective thinking.
The spirit, confidence, and willingness to engage men and local government in their efforts illustrate that real change is only possible when communities trust their own experiences and rely on their own capabilities rather than just looking to NGOs for change.

[Bayazid Bostami]

This story reminds us once again that when the power within a community is awakened, change begins on its own. Thanks Rituu i lot of learn.