Reflections from Byaspur: The Slow Beauty of SALT

[Nusrat Jahan Priya]

On 27th and 28th August, I visited Gopalganj. In those two days, I witnessed not just conversations, but hearts opening up—both in a village community and in a school classroom. I want to share my reflections, full of what I saw, felt, and learned. 

Women Group SALT – Hijlipara

• The challenge of gathering: I realized how difficult it is to bring community people together. They are busy, always running with work. Yet, our facilitator Manira Apa did not give up. Her patience and effort touched me deeply. I also want to acknowledge our other facilitator's hard work as well.
  
  
• Small before big: Before gathering a large group, I feel it’s better to begin with smaller ones (2–3 people). In those intimate circles, people slowly learn the art of appreciating each other. Then, when they sit in a larger group, they won’t hesitate to share.
  
  
• Trust before action: I understood something powerful—community is like mud. If you try to shape it too fast, it breaks apart. You have to soften it first, prepare it slowly, and then only can it hold a lasting shape. The same goes for SALT. If we jump to action without building trust, it will not sustain.
  
  
• Right time matters: In Hijlipara, the group gave us time at 3:00 pm, but it was during their working hours. We began at 3:30, but I could feel the rush. I realized, to listen well, we must also respect their rhythm of life.
  
  

Student Group SALT – Joynagar High School

• Guiding, not pointing: With students, I felt that our role is not to simply facilitate them to their challenges. Instead, we should facilitate conversations that help them reflect—why do they feel this is a challenge, is it something that truly needs to be solved, and what steps can they take themselves to address it? we must guide them to reflect, to dig deeper into the root cause.  When this process comes from within them, the realization is genuine, and the motivation to act becomes stronger and more lasting. 
• A teacher’s hope: Beauty Ma’am, one of the teachers, shared something that truly warmed my heart. She told me that after the SALT sessions, her students have started to blossom with confidence. They now discuss their lessons in pairs, present in front of the whole class without hesitation, and the chaos that once filled the classroom has noticeably reduced. What touched me most was that their growth is not limited to academics—they are also engaging in non-academic activities, like peer learning, public speaking, library management, classroom cleaning, school gardening, preparing filters, showing that they are becoming more active, responsible, and hopeful in every part of their lives. Her words gave me hope that these conversations are not just moments—they are turning into movements inside young hearts.

Common Reflections from Both Groups

• Immediate reflection matters: After every SALT—whether individual or group—we should do an AER (After Experience Reflection) right away. That pause helps us see what went well,why and what could be improved, how. Without it, learning slips away.
  
  
• Appreciation is everywhere: We don’t need to wait for stories to appreciate someone. Every little effort, every small gesture is worth recognizing. Appreciation should not be occasional—it should be constant.
  
  
• We must model it ourselves: If we want facilitators to appreciate others, we must start with them. We should practice appreciation with them regularly, until it becomes our habit.
  
  

What I Carried Back

As I left Gopalganj, my heart was full.

• I saw how hard, slow, and beautiful this work is.
  
  
• I realized that SALT is not about rushing—it is about patience, consistency, and love.
  
  
• I learned that whether it’s a busy villager or a restless student, if we create a safe space for listening and appreciation, people will open up, grow, and act.
  
  
• From Prokash Bhai and Manira Apa, I realized that learning has no boundary of age or position, and that I still have so much to learn about facilitation from their long experience and practice.

Like shaping mud, transformation takes time. But when it happens, it holds strong.

This is what I carried back: a quiet faith that change is possible when we shape it with care.

[Sadia Jafrin]

Thank you for sharing your very honest and insightful reflection Priya. 

[Nishat Tasnim Liza]

It takes patience, time and respect for people’s rhythm to work with communities or students. Without building trust, no change can be sustainable. We need to start small and slowly move toward bigger transformations.
Every little effort deserves appreciation and recognition.
The biggest lesson is- change is possible, if we shape it with care.