Strength TogetHER 9 - Session 7

28th March, 2021.

On 28th march 2021, zoom provided us a platform to be connected virtually and share our stories on the topic " I AM IMPORTANT." At 5:00 pm we around 20 girls gathered and had a talk till 7:00 pm about the moment we discovered self love and what it really means. It was our moderator Miss Kamana Kafle who with her positive and enthusiastic nature made that time, a time to be cherished.

Kamana Kafle is Passionate and Dedicated Youth Leader. Currently she is doing a undergraduation from HICAST as an agriculture student. She is the Ambassador of Nepal on Mooxm. Moreover She is the only representative of Consumers International Next Generation Leaders Network from Nepal. She is the Assistant Country Director of the World Peace Foundation. She is Campus Director of Hult Prize Foundation of HICAST college for 20/21. She is also Campus Director of International Youth Society and Universal Youth Movement of HICAST College.

 She is the Goal Leader of Goal Number Two " Zero Hunger " at Sustainability Week Kathmandu Project named " Me and My SDGs."

She is involved in a social organization named SEWA Nepal as Agriculture Youth Coordinator .

 She has successfully conducted 75+ programs related to Agriculture as emcee and as secretariat of the program. She is working on Youth for Agri, sister organization of SEWA Nepal, as a Communication Head.

Facilitated by ‘Lokopakar’ youth organization which focuses on the development of youth personally or professionally in Nepal, 'Strength togetHER' virtual program is created specially for girls and young women of different mindsets and backgrounds. During the sessions, they all come together to share various views, ideas, perspectives, experiences, and stories. This space helps them to grow as individuals by creating a platform to be themselves, talk about their issues, and find solutions to their problems.

Strength Together cohort 9 has set a long journey and coming upto this 7th session I personally was really excited to listen to the story and share mine.

• Our first speaker shared a quote from one of her favourite book. " They say find a purpose in life and live it but sometimes you only find the purpose behind your life when you have lived it." She said that she spent her childhood among friends thinking that self love was not needed for her as she have supportive friends but slowly as she come out in the real world out of hostel life she faced a lot of self doubt and slowly realized the importance of self love.

• Our second speaker said that she had been a people pleaser throughout her childhood and never said no for anything. Slowly she realized that she was important than pleasing any one. And slowly she started her journey of self love.

• Our third speaker shared her story of the time when she was asked " If you stand in front of the mirror and give yourself points out of 10 how much you will give?" Unknown with such question she said 4 or 5. At that time she was told to value herself and give her 10 out of 10. She was said that if she give importance to herself others will do the same. This made her realize her self worth.

• Our fourth speaker said that she never said no to anything. Her friend suggested her to say no to the things she don't desire to do and told her about the importance of prioritizing herself and taught her about self love.

• Our fifth speaker shared  about her conversation with one of her friend in which she had a discussion about self love.She said that if conversation become hectic just let go those people. She also said that everyone can't be with you in every chapter of your story. She inspired us to let go off the toxic people.

After listening to everyone's story our moderator shared her own story. She told us about the few toxic friends she had. She lost many friends in her life. At first she used to be sad to lose someone she called her friend. Slowly, she realized that letting go those people of her life was normal.She shared some of her stories:

• She was separated from a group of friend because she was supporting a friend who had quarrel with a member from the same group. She was cut off from the group.

• One of her friend broke friendship with her cause she didn't go to have lunch with her as she had some other work to do.

The 2 hours talk made us draw some conclusions which are listed below:

• No one can be with you till lifetime. With     time and situation priority changes.

• Being right for yourself is crucial.

• Learn to fulfill your own expectation.

• The only person who knows everything about you is "YOU".

• You may not be happy with GOD then expecting to be happy because of people is insane.

• Learn to appreciate the people who are in your life.

• Following your heart everytime may also bring sadness so learn to balance between heart and mind.

• When you love yourself you can love others.

• Never hide your feelings.

• Never hesitate to appreciate and     compliment others.

• You have to prioritize those who prioritize you.

• Don't be affected by other's action.

• The art of letting go is something to be learnt by everyone.

• If saying no to someone makes them cut friendship with you then let go those people.

• Standing in front of mirror saying the words " I LOVE YOU" is the step towards self love.

At last, we took a screenshot to remember the great evening we had spent together and ended the meeting with the positivity of loving ourselves no matter what happens in life.

Written by: Sakshi Wagle (Cohort Coordinator, Lokopakar)