Tales from the Island of Serendip 4 4

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The scholarships were handed out by Roshni earlier this week.

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Return

 

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I returned to Roshni earlier this month and am happy to report that that all is going well with the scholarships. Roshni is flourishing.

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Shahina has now firmly established herself as an influential figure in Raja Bazaar and is therefore better positioned to effect meaningful change. Links with other organisations have made available funding for core costs and opportunities for more volunteers to come from abroad. Here a contingent of Irish volunteers from the Thoughtshop Foundation is working with the scholars to teach them English, which is vital when it comes to getting decent jobs.

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All 18 scholars were there on that evening. It was so great to see all the girls so positively engaged, and  in such high spirits!

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Where two years ago Roshni was in crisis, with no funding, and in consequence about to lose it's precious base, it's now clear that Shahina and the other volunteers are now in a position to control the group's future, with new prospects regularly opening up.

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The aim has always been to ensure Roshni's independence.

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The future is in their hands.

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Purnabha and I feel we've learned a huge amount from Roshni that can be applied to other situations, where a timely intervention may prove to be empowering. Not all of our ideas and suggestions were taken up by Shahina. She knows her own mind, and we must accept that she is the expert when it comes to deciding what is best for Roshni.

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We will watch their development with interest.

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We will be there if needed.

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But we think it far healthier for Roshni to stand on its own, and not remain dependent on us to any degree.

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Of course, even Roshni cant reach everyone. These girls were fascinated by the goings on. Maybe one day Roshni will succeed in drawing them in.

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We will draw upon the lessons learned, and seek to apply them elsewhere.

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And we will keep them in our hearts.

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