I am an advocate working toward social justice in Gujarati since 2003. In a quest to work more effectively and better understand the various aspects of social justice in the wider world circle, I did the TFT diploma course in 2017-2018 and have since become a country team facilitator.
In search of a true calling
If a bird’s eye view is taken of the globe, apparently it would be seen that studying abroad had always been a desire of most youngsters. I only see that their desire is to acquire new knowledge, and skills to get higher-paid jobs. The study areas are generally science, engineering, medicine, business etc.
In India, the educational system teaches academic subjects irrespective of their usefulness or relevance to the overall growth of a human being. Chosen subjects are majority out of situational compulsion and the system does not encourage creativity, independent thinking, and/or critical thinking. I became part of the system as a teacher in 1997 but left after almost two years to join Ashadeep Human Development Centre, a social work organisation working on a right-based approach. We were working with children, youth, and rural women and providing socio-legal services to people irrespective of their caste, community, religion, etc. I found working with children interesting because it was a unique programme of informal education avoiding the prevailing teaching methodology. They learned what was not taught in schools and colleges very innovatively. However, the children were so used to formal education, it was challenging for them to get out of their comfort zone, and it was challenging as it was going against the current.
Experience is a teacher
Working as a trainer for around 15 years, I learned about the DELTA training. I was so eager and curious to have such training and it became a dream of mine. Through my experience with them, I was given the opportunity to study abroad in my late 40s. With a lot of excitement, anxieties, and worries, I landed in a completely different place, TFT Kleinmond, South Africa, surrounded by the mountain on one side and by the ocean on the other side. As a student, let me correct myself to be a participant and co-learner which later opened more doors for being part of the international network.
In 2020 the world faced the pandemic situation and for some time the world was paralysed. However, during this time TFT came out with an innovative idea of reaching out with an introductory training for youth. I was lucky enough to be part of the online and physical training to be conducted under the guidance and help of TFT. This was the time to implement all the learning, knowledge, and tools acquired during my diploma course. There were some challenges, but the workshop was a success. Thereafter, I conducted four workshops in different phases which gave me a lot of confidence and firsthand experience in conducting TFT workshops with a proper design using Paulo Freire methodologies.
I was invited to be part of the 2022 online diploma course as a core facilitation team member involved in the entire process from planning to evaluation. This experience was a refresher course for me where I revisited each module again with different participants and their different perspectives in a diverse community. My involvement in two phases of the online diploma course as a member of the facilitation team was a very enriching experience for me which prepared me to work more effectively conducting TFT modules.
Expansion of TFT
We started a long-term programme for young girls to develop leadership qualities and to cultivate and develop critical thinking skills to bring social transformation to their communities and the nation in general. I am very much thankful to TFT as it allowed me to develop my own critical thinking and concretisation through the diploma course. Being continuously in association with TFT has tremendously helped me to continue the work of social transformation. We decided to introduce five modules of TFT to the group of 32: Paulo Freire principles and methodology, political economy, culture, and ethics, eco-spirituality, and gender perspective. In addition, we will introduce the sixth module of law as an instrument for social transformation.
Any training would have a general impact on trainers and trainees, the effect would vary from individual to individual and group to group. However, it depends on the training modules, methods, relevancy etc. I had undergone different training programmes, but the TFT training is unique in all senses. I have conducted several training programmes and have seen the outcomes. I am a beneficiary of TFT training and people could see the changes in my work, approach, outlook, and impact on me. The impact of training modules on the girls is very positive and visible. It has challenged them a lot in their lives and changes can be seen in their responses, behaviour, approach, participation, commitments, and concern for their communities. If I have to say in one line, I will say that the changes and impact of the TFT training cannot be explained, but rather be felt when we are with the group.
Vision and mission of TFT continues
When I reflect and look back on my journey in life, I can divide them into different parts. The first part is prior to 1999, when I was part of the Indian educational system, the second part 1999 to 2017 that is working with the marginalised, developing skills and enhancing knowledge to be a trainer, the third is from 2017 to 2020 where I learned different tools and applied in my professional, social and personal work and the fourth part is from 2020 to till now where I revisited the learning of the diploma course and travelled from participant to facilitation team and now able to facilitate different workshops independently.
As I stated in the beginning, the Indian educational system does not encourage students to think critically, but I got such an opportunity during my life from TFT which enriched and enlightened me and exposed me to different perspectives. The association with TFT till now has been a great help and motivation to me so far working toward social transformation and continuing to be an agent of change. I will be immensely grateful to TFT for the rest of my life.
