SALT Conversation: When Silence Found a Voice.

[nisha Baskota]

Namaste Everyone, My name is Nisha Baskota Adhikari, and I am a facilitator at Peace for People, an organization based in Nepal.

 I was someone who couldn’t speak. Even writing this sentence feels heavy, because it is more than just words—it was a period that shaped my identity. Among people, I often felt lost. There were so many things in my mind, but they would all stop before reaching my throat. I was scared—scared of speaking wrongly, scared that no one would understand, scared that I would have to remain silent again.
I spent many nights wrestling with my own mind. I blamed myself, thought I was weak. The question, “Why am I so quiet?” made me cry countless times. Outwardly, I might have smiled, but inside, I carried the heavy burden of silence. Not being able to talk to others was painful, yet I didn’t even have the courage to share that pain.
It was in the depth of this silence that the SALT conversation came into my life. At first, I was afraid. Opening up my thoughts felt like touching old wounds. But SALT conversation made me feel safe for the first time. I was not pressured to speak. There were people who were just ready to listen—without judgment, without hurry. That support gave me, for the first time, a feeling of “I am okay here.”
When I started speaking a little, I began to look at myself. My fears, my insecurities, and past pains gradually surfaced. I realized—I wasn’t unable to speak, I was unable to trust myself. This self-reflection wasn’t easy, but the process helped me understand myself.
SALT conversation taught me that hiding emotions is not strength; accepting emotions is true courage. Speaking up is not weakness—it is the beginning of self-respect. I learned that learning doesn’t always come from books; sometimes, being truly listened to is the greatest lesson.
Today, I am transformed. I am still learning, but I am no longer silent. I can put my feelings into words. I can seek solutions through dialogue. This transformation didn’t happen overnight, but the consistent practice of SALT conversation made it possible. It brought me out of old silence and introduced me to a new, confident self.
SALT conversation became a decisive turning point in my life. It taught me to listen to myself, accept myself, and express myself. Without this process, I might still be afraid of my own voice. Today, I can say openly—proper support, self-reflection, learning, and dialogue can truly transform a person’s life. I am a witness to that transformation.

[Rituu B. Nanda]

Great. How did SALT help in this change Nisha?

[nisha Baskota]

This change became possible because SALT provided me with a safe and supportive environment. There was no pressure to speak, but there were people who listened with care and understanding. That support helped me gradually start trusting myself. Through continuous conversation, self-reflection, and practice, my confidence grew, and I learned to express my thoughts and emotions in words. SALT didn’t change me all at once, but it guided me step by step in understanding, accepting, and expressing myself.