Through the Empowering Women for Peace Project, I discovered skills I didn’t even know I lacked. My life had been so focused on domestic tasks and family responsibilities that I had neglected to develop other aspects of myself. I felt Oldham was a very unsafe place due to crime for me and my children. The project helped me build social skills, gain confidence, expand my knowledge and feel safer. Through the project and activities, I learned new ways to interact with others and understand the world around me. I learnt all about crime awareness, the cost of violence, conflict resolution, healthy communication, etc, how to empower myself and my community to make a difference. I am now motivated and determined to make a difference.

It was also amazing to be part of the photoshoot and see my photos in the training manual. The training manual has been a great resource for me developing. One of the most impactful changes was how I could share what I had learned with my family. Topics like domestic violence, anger management, the dangers of the internet, and other valuable lessons became part of our conversations. I moved beyond just being a caretaker; I became someone who could educate and empower my family with knowledge.

Perhaps the most significant transformation was the way I began to see myself. For so long, I had defined myself only as a wife and mother, but through this project, I learned to embrace my own identity, independent of those roles. I became my own person, capable of growth and change and be able to help others. Feel safer and know where to go for help.

I am looking forward to the next part of the project and very excited about the poetry project. The benefits of this project are immense This one cup of chai has truly altered my life, and every sip has brought colour and light into my world.