Last month, Ms. Asmita Dhital, a former team member at SAATH who is currently active as a Board Member at Danfe Works, our sustainability partner visited Dhanushadham. Ms. Dhital has been supporting two children from Parahu Learning Center to pursue their secondary level of education through high school. In this interaction, Ms. Asmita Dhital will share her experiences from her recent visit with us.

A Conversation with Asmita, Board Member at Danfe Works 

1) Please introduce yourself and if you like, share one interesting fact about you.

I am Asmita. I’ve many layers haha.. I’m not sure which one fits in this platform. Simply speaking I’m someone who is on a journey to find simple answers to complex questions in everyday life with a tricky balance of tenacity and ease :). An interesting fact about me… depends on who you ask… but if I had to pick one, I can seclude myself in peace for days, literally without being in touch or in conversation with anyone. I actually very much enjoy that!

2) How do you identify with SAATH? Tell us about your inclination toward Social Work.

SAATH is a part of me. A place where I started my first “proper” job more than a decade ago… almost 13 years ago now. Where I had an official title, business card, my own desk and all those little perks that come with being in an organization and a team. But most importantly it was a place that gave me responsibility, authority, accountability and opened many opportunities that led me to where I am today. 

Inclination towards social work…. I believe in giving back and if all of us could give back however much we can as per our capacity we could make that marginal difference that our society needs desperately. Giving back is not to be mistaken for something that is just financial. There are many ways you can do that and I will let our readers decide what they can give back or give forward to those who will benefit from it. 

3) You have been supporting two children in pursuing their formal education through one of SAATH's projects in Dhanushadham, Janakpur. Tell us about it.

I do not want to talk too much about it as I believe in keeping the integrity of the children I am supporting for their education till they go to college. And I hope I can continue to do so beyond that point too. It’s my sheer joy and privilege that I am a vehicle for those bright children who, if all factors are well, have a brilliant future ahead of them. Just also very grateful that SAATH was willing to take me up to help change the course of direction of those children’s life who otherwise would simply not have access to education.

4) What was that one deciding factor that led you to support the children? How do you feel about it?

Access to education is a fundamental human right. Period! And personally I know the difference education makes in one's life, socially, financially and even mentally. It’s critical to help anyone come out of the cycle of poverty. It’s unfortunate there are SO many children who still do not have access to it still in our country. It was a no-brainer for me to want to do this when I saw how I could be doing it. See the thing is there are plenty of people like me who would do it without giving it a second thought. But we don’t always know what’s the best way to go about it. How to make it sustainable and who to trust when supporting such a population is not always clear. But I’m glad I found SAATH to do just what my heart wanted to do. I have given a little and received back in multiple folds. I feel humbled that I can serve in my own way and I feel blessed to be able to see smiles in the faces of the children and the family. That’s the biggest gift they give me. 

5. Do you have anything that you would like to share with the partners and friends of SAATH? Do you have any recommendations for SAATH?

It’s so easy to be on the other side and critique or just give feedback from far away. I’m sure you have heard many things already positive and constructive. But I just want to say thank you! Keep being the platform you are to bring the two ends together. Keep closing the gap between our societies as much as you can. Keep up the good work! To the partners of SAATH, thank you for keeping the mission and vision of SAATH alive by being such a critical partner to them.