For many young women in Assam’s tribal areas, life is a journey filled with challenges. Education often takes a back seat to family responsibilities. Dreams get paused when someone at home falls ill or when money runs short. Many girls grow up learning to care for others before learning to care for themselves. But within this reality, something beautiful also happens; quiet determination begins to grow. We learn to keep moving, even when the road ahead looks uncertain.
My journey begins
My life is no different. I was born and raised in a small village in Udalguri. My father worked as a daily wage laborer, and my mother managed our home. As the eldest daughter, I often had to help with cooking, cleaning, and taking care of my younger siblings.
As a child, I dreamed of becoming a teacher, someone who could help children learn and grow. But when my mother’s health started failing, I had to let that dream go. I began giving tuition to children in my neighbourhood and later took a job at a nearby primary school. It was not the career I had imagined, but it gave me a purpose. Deep down, I knew I wanted to do something more meaningful for my community.
Joining the Karuna Fellowship
That chance came when I joined the Karuna Fellowship, an opportunity that opened new doors for me. The Fellowship offered training in communication, leadership, digital skills, and health awareness. It helped young women like me understand how to work with communities, engage with frontline health workers, and become a bridge between people and services. For the first time, I saw how I could combine learning with service and how I could grow and help others at the same time.
But the beginning was not easy. During the first few training sessions, everyone around me spoke in Hindi and English, while I could only think and speak in Assamese and Bodo. The topics were new, and I often sat quietly, afraid to speak up. Still, I didn’t let fear stop me. I began writing notes in Assamese and translating them into English at night. Slowly, I started to understand, and my confidence began to grow. My mentor was very patient with me, guiding me through each step, encouraging me whenever I doubted myself.
I also learned to use a laptop for the first time typing reports, preparing presentations, and using digital tools. It was something I had never imagined doing before. Learning to ride a scooter gave me the freedom to travel on my own to villages for fieldwork. These new skills gave me a sense of independence I had never known before.
Learning by doing
During my field visits, I learned how to use simple medical tools like thermometers and blood pressure monitors. This skill became personal for me because both my parents have high blood pressure. I started checking their readings regularly and reminding them to take their medicines on time. It made me proud to use what I had learned to care for my own family.
One experience in the field changed me deeply. A pregnant woman once told me she had stopped taking her iron tablets. I visited her home several times, explaining gently why the tablets were important. After a few visits, she finally agreed. That moment made me realize that real change begins with patience and trust.
Finding my strength
Today, I am not the same shy girl who once stayed silent in groups. I can now speak confidently, ride my scooter to the field, and use my laptop with ease. I dream of becoming an Anganwadi Supervisor and exploring work in livelihood, agriculture, and fishery.
The Fellowship has changed my life completely. It gave me the courage to face my fears, the confidence to learn new skills, and the belief that I can lead the change. I have learned that growth doesn’t always happen in big ways, but sometimes it begins quietly, one small step at a time. And that’s how I continue to bloom beyond boundaries.
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