YWCA of India reposted this
During the #RiseUp! Training with a room full of deaf young women, I took a pause to reflect and inferred how I was feeling at ease, I was not feeling like I didn't belong there, which I felt the first day of interaction with the community almost 2.5 years ago. Now, I was able to #communicate with my broken but evolved gestures and signs, I was able to read emotions from young women's experiences and I felt more involved. It's not like the space was not welcoming, but it's a '#journey towards familiarity and empathy' in being a part of a community. And with the diverse communities I have worked with across India, getting at this stage is what I aim to achieve. It's a pure joy to be able to #listen, #understand, interact and #sharekindness with the 'other'. I wish more people actively think, feel and act on these things, beyond the people of the social development sector. 1st photo 📸 credits: a Coda (child of deaf adult) whose mother was participating in the training. 2nd group photo: completed a 3 day of #RiseUp leadership and advocacy training with 50+ deaf young women in Bangalore. World YWCA YWCA of India #deafyoungwomenleaders #journeyoffamiliarity #heartisfull