#SheCanInspire: Words From Our MSF Mentors
As part of our iconic #SheCan campaign, we celebrated the stories of our mentors as part of our #SheCanInspire series. These are some of the stories we featured during Women’s History Month.
Sadia
“I have joined Mai Soli Foundation because from my childhood, it was always my dream to work for girls who are in need of help. When I saw that I would get the opportunity to help some girls to prevent early marriages, to empower them and to lead a better life, I didn’t even take a second to think further about working in this organization.
As a young woman in the past, I have experienced some bad and good things together. The bad thing was that the people of my village and my relatives did not take girls education in a good way and so I had faced some criticism for my studying and not getting married early. Moreover, the good thing was that my father and mother never listened to any of my relatives and neighbors rather than giving me full support for my studying and only for them today I came to this position.
Additionally, both the bad and good experience inspired me to empower others. For instance, the people of my village used to say that girls can not do anything for themselves, their families rather than getting married and having kids. I wanted to prove them wrong and that’s why I have chosen this path to empower myself and others and let them see what girls can actually do. Secondly, my parents used to have full faith in me that one day I would make them proud and show the world that a girl can do many more things than a boy and their hope and faith inspired me a lot to empower myself and others.
From my own experience, I want to say the young girls 4 things:
- Believe in yourself and do whatever your heart says;
- Have full confidence and be honest with yourself
- Raise your voice when you see anything wrong;
- Work hard with honesty and educate yourself.
By following these things, #shecan take her own decisions, prevent early marriages, promote gender equality, empowerment, and leadership. Overall, she/they can give us an educated nation full of proficient future generations.”
Tusti
“Mai Soli Foundation’s mission of changing the so-called male-oriented system of our society has incredibly stimulated me to take part in this noble deed. Females are often being seen as less efficient citizens in society, not even listening and considering their viewpoints. This has always made me weak in my own family. There was a time when there was nobody to hear me when I needed someone, there was nobody I could trust and share my happiness and sorrows with. I could not share how I feel when I get discriminated against for my short height in every place, I could not say my supervisor has appreciated me for my wonderful performance. Nobody, not even my family members and friends. A trustworthy mentor was all I needed but unfortunately did not have one.
Life every day is teaching me the need and importance of becoming educated, financially literate, and vocally strong. This year, Mai Soli has taught me the importance of Entrepreneurship. I even thought of a business start-up already. These four components have become the main mantra of my life now. As a mentor, as a sister, I will make them understand the importance of the mantra to become a Self-dependent individual and #shecan follow her dreams to make them real. #SheCan do anything of her own choice, standing strong without thinking about what others will think, what others will say. #SheCanInspire more young girls.”
