KF 3: Stories of Change, Hope, and Celebration of Community Leadership

[Shahrukh Atpade]

A few years ago, the SALT (Support, Appreciate, Listen and Transfer) process started in Nandwal village. This journey began with conversations, but today it has turned into positive changes led by the people themselves.
To celebrate the experiences, learning, and changes that villagers created through their own strengths, “Knowledge Fair 3” was organized in Nandwal. It was not just a program, but a living example of the transformation people brought into their lives and their village.
Sam and Ritu from the Global Fund for Children (GFC), along with the Jeevika team, attended the event. However, the real focus of the program was the people of Nandwal – children, youth, women, men, and other community members who shared their experiences and success stories.
Through the SALT process, people in the village took initiative on many important issues. They studied, discussed, and took action on topics such as suicide prevention, mental health and well-being, the idea of a happy village, and the use of traditional Lezim games to help people overcome mobile addiction, loneliness, and depression. Information about these activities and their results was presented at the Knowledge Fair.
Many young people confidently shared their experiences during the program. Women spoke about the positive changes that happened through their groups. Men also shared their efforts to work together on village development and social issues. One common message was seen in every story: “Change does not come from outside; it starts from within ourselves.”
The Jeevika team also shared their journey, learning, and experiences of working with the community. This helped in sharing ideas and learning from efforts taking place in different villages.
The special feature of the Knowledge Fair is that no expert gives a lecture. Instead, people themselves become teachers by sharing the changes in their lives and village. The small initiatives they took, the big results they achieved, and the collective efforts behind them are the real knowledge of this event.
This program was not just a one-day event; it was a celebration of many years of conversations, trust, action, and collective leadership.

Video Link.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/19aDMmedzTeARWSBC_fZANkUOKAnwAFPi/v...