MY EXPERIENCE IN EMPOWHER (UJYALO FOUNDATION)

I was feeling emotional yesterday (2^nd September, 2017).  At that moment I really wanted to cry. Yesterday was the graduation day of Ujyalo Foundation’s training EmpowHER. When there was the speech of Executive Director/ Founder of Ujyalo Foundation. I felt emotions when she gave speech. Not only hers, the cohort Angela Shrestha’s speech and Program Coordinator Yajashwi made me cry. I wanted to cry but couldn’t. 

It was around in the month of March 2017, I saw bout EmpowHER application on my friend Facebook wall and I clicked and filled up the form. I went for the interview and was selected for the training. Then we had orientation. From there, my EmpowHER journey began. 

At the beginning of the journey, I didn’t know what I was doing. I even didn’t want to do next for my project. I was confused about my project but slowly, I got to know which directions to go. During the journey, I was able to know the experiences of previous cohort. Their suggestions and advices were really fruitful. They gave us about their EmpowHER journey and their learning experiences. Not only cohort, guest speakers were good to hear. Sessions like Kripa Basnyat, Rita Thapa, Chewan Rai, Aashish Adhikari and many other sessions were interesting. There were lots of fun and interaction session. 

The most beautiful part was the hiking in Shivapuri. Although, I had leg pain, I was determined to go for hiking. We laughed and enjoyed a lot. It was good opportunity to know each other. The treasure hunt was interesting part of the hiking. This game was fun and got opportunity to explore more about the nature. 

During 18 weeks, there were so many learning and opportunity to learn. There was bonding between each other and enjoyed each other company. We used to crack jokes. Everyone was so nice with each other. 

Honestly, I have learned so many things and I have grown a lot. I became more confident. I know where to go in my project. While doing a project, I was able to create newness and was able to be creative. While doing project, I was confident and knew about clothes sanitary pads and was able to how to make clothes sanitary pads.  Not only this, I was able to train 37 girls how to make clothes sanitary pads. More than that, I was able to create about menstruation and sanitary pads. 

Furthermore, while doing pitching, I was more confident and could do well. Finally, my speaking was growing well. 

In conclusion, Thank You Ujyalo for giving me an opportunity to grow and my friends who supported me and loved me so much. Will be missing them so badly. This is one of my best journey of my life that will never be forgotten.