Empower Vulnerable Young People with Life Skills

Harini's transformation from not so confident to a confident leader

“I stay in a slum where, children were not very serious about their studies. The people in my neighborhood constantly criticize each other and always put me down and discouraged me. Even my family never encouraged me and my brother who studies in my school kept a watch on my actions”

Harini came from a difficult background. Her father is a car driver and mother a house maid. She has a younger brother studying in 9^th standard in the same school.

 Most of Harini’s classmates opine that she is a girl full of ideas. They say that she is very capable of managing and solving problems among friends. Many a times she helped her team members to get things done, but on her own never took initiative in doing it. She also never took initiative in doing activities during session. Although she had many ideas, she never took the lead or came forward to present it.

 It was then the facilitator felt that Harini lacks confidence. The facilitator had constant talks with her while in and after the sessions. It during a craft session, Harini was made the leader of the group. She assembled all cones made by the team members, completed the activity. She gave in her ideas to present the same. This time too, she was not ready to take leadership in this process though the team encouraged her.

 The facilitator felt that she never realized the talent in her. He made an effort to know more about Harini and what was stopping her. After a lengthy conversation Harini opened up. Harini stayed in a slum where, children were not very serious in studying. The people in her neighbourhood were very critical of others. She also said that if we are talented and willing to do things, the community never encouraged it.  Along with that, her brother who studies in the same school monitors her actions. According to the facilitator the parents were hardly interested in their children’s studies. All these made the children very reserved.

 Hearing this the facilitator tried motivating her. Harini said she would make every effort to improve.  For a couple of classes the facilitator did similar kind of activity where students improve their leadership and cultivate a sense of responsibility in them.  These activities brought some change in Harini.

 The facilitator also informed the class teacher about Harini and asked to support her class room activities. From then there were efforts from Harini both in class and sessions. All these have made her confident and talk without fear.

According to the facilitator, Harini has improved a lot. She does not fear as earlier and takes initative more often in sessions and class. She has become a confident individual and says that she will lead a large group of students one day.

Links:

• Dream a Dream