Discovering New Horizons: Nandini's Inspiring Journey of Confidence, Self-Belief, and Courage!

    Nandini Singh, an alumna of the i-Saksham edu-leaders' fellowship, has embarked on an inspiring journey that she eagerly shares with us today. Her story begins in 2020, during the challenging times of the pandemic when she joined i-Saksham Edu-leaders’ fellowship’s 5th cohort. It was a significant step for Nandini as she decided to step out of her comfort zone and take the leap beyond the threshold of her familiar surroundings.

  

 At the outset, Nandini faced apprehension and uncertainty as she vividly remembers the initial trepidation (fear) she felt when she returned home in the evening after her first day with i-Saksham. The support from her family was not immediate, but she discovered an inner strength and belief in herself and her abilities. With each passing day, Nandini's dedication and hard work began to shine, gradually garnering the recognition and support of her family.

    Throughout her journey in the Edu-leader fellowship, Nandini dedicated herself wholeheartedly to her work, leaving no stone unturned to ensure its excellence. Her relentless efforts paid off, and she soon played a significant role as a peer mentor within i-Saksham. She approaches her responsibilities with dedication daily and strives to do and learn better each time. 

    Nandini received a job offer from the Aditya Birla Academy, an organization that recruits trainers to facilitate training for government teachers. Initially, she didn't fully grasp the significance of the opportunity, as i-Saksham had presented her with several offers in the past. However, a sense of unease crept in during the selection process, casting doubt on her decision. The idea of leaving her district and her seven-year-old child, and seeking permission from her family seemed like formidable challenges to overcome, she gathered the courage to embark on this new opportunity. 

    Summoning her courage, Nandini took the leap toward her aspirations. Despite her initial fears, she quickly realized the latent power within her. The professors and lecturers she encountered at Aditya Birla Academy were unaware of her relatively short experience in the field. Nandini's dedication, supported by i-Saksham's confidence-building initiatives, allowed her to showcase her true potential. Her commitment and skill in the role made others assume she had been in this line of work for a decade or more.

"Within me lies a tremendous power that I discovered after joining this program (training the teachers). The teachers, professors, and lecturers who come to our program have no idea that I have been working for two years post-fellowship. They assume that I have been doing this work for the past 10 or 12 years. They don't realize that I lack that many years of experience. But with the support and confidence given by i-Saksham, I have shown my true potential. What more could describe better about the transformation of my personality that has been polished by i-Saksham's support?", shares Nandini.

Today, Nandini is brimming with happiness and pride. After touring the campus and meeting Dr. Vandana, her husband shares her joy and admiration.

While Nandini humbly mentioned that her name appeared in Dainik Bhaskar (newspaper), her husband revealed his unspoken pride in her accomplishments. 

Nandini attributes her success to the unwavering guidance and support of i-Saksham, acknowledging the pivotal role the organization played in her journey. Nandini's achievements carry immense significance as an alumna of the i-Saksham edu-leaders' fellowship. Her accomplishments represent her personal growth and success and the breaking of stereotypes and barriers marginalized girls and women face. Through her determination and support from i-Saksham, Nandini has opened doors and created opportunities that pave the way for others who face similar challenges.

Bulbul proves that the pursuit of knowledge is limitless, irrespective of age! (Back to studies after 18 years)

"I am Bulbul Kumari, Batch-7 Edu-leader. I wanted to share my journey of education and empowerment. I got married in 2003, the same year I completed my 12th grade. My marriage took place in a family and society where education was lacking. No one in my family understood the importance of education when I expressed my desire to study. As a result, my studies were interrupted, and the family situation was not favorable. So, I suppressed my aspirations and became involved in household responsibilities, cutting off my connection with education. The desire to learn within me faded, but I still had a passion for teaching, so I started teaching the children around me.

In 2006, I got an opportunity to teach in a private school where I worked for a year. During that year, my mother passed away, which caused me immense sorrow. I left everything behind and isolated myself at home, disconnecting from the outside world.

In 2011, I had the chance to study in a residential school located in the mountains (Santhal region). However, the school only operated for 11 months before closing down. I found myself in the same situation as before, with no significant changes. Then one day, I received a call from a teacher at the school where I initially started teaching, suggesting that if I wasn't engaged in anything else, I should come and teach at their school. In 2017, I resumed teaching and continued for three years.

A significant change occurred in my life when everything seemed to come to a standstill. In 2020, Sanjay Bhaiya and Dharamveer Sir visited my house, and I joined i-Saksham. That was the most transformative moment of my life! After a few months, I noticed a change within myself. Teaching the children has always brought me happiness and contentment, something I had been doing for many years. However, I realized that my teaching methods were not correct. As I received intensive training during my fellowship, my self-confidence started to grow.

One day, during a session, I learned about IGNOU (Indira Gandhi National Open University), and a voice from within me said that I could start studying again. But I was afraid. It had been 18  long years since I left my studies, and I didn't know how I would resume my education. However, my husband encouraged me to study and pursue my certification. Along with him, my sister-in-law (elder to my husband) became my friend and provided great support. I would also like to express my gratitude to i-Saksham for becoming a platform that allowed me to restart my studies after almost 18 years. Currently, I am doing my graduation and I am enrolled in the second year of my Bachelor's degree."

- Bulbul Kumari, Gaya Bihar

i-Saksham Edu-leader Fellowship for the community change leaders like Bulbul Kumari is active in five districts of Bihar. The fellows undergo two years of transformative journey that builds their skills in three tracks - Personal, Educational, and Community Leadership. The program's three-pronged approach is well-rounded and comprehensive. Firstly, it focuses on enhancing the personal leadership capabilities of the selected fellows, which will not only empower them individually but also enable them to inspire others and lead effectively. This emphasis on personal growth and development is crucial for building strong leaders. Bulbul Kumari is an edu-leader from the 7th Cohort and they are going to graduate soon from the fellowship. Bulbul and other change leaders from the 7th and 8th cohort are fully equipped to create change in their communities and beyond.