Sonali
"A Journey from Silence to Confidence"
Twelve-year-old Sonali from Shergarh village in Doiwala block, Dehradun, Uttrakhand, once struggled with the fear of speaking up in class, even when she knew the right answers. Her turning point came during a workshop conducted under DC’s Abhyuday program, which focuses on building emotional resilience and confidence among school children.
Sonali, a class 7 student, found it extremely difficult to express herself. While she often knew the correct answers to challenging questions, she lacked the courage to stand up and speak. A constant fear haunted her, what if she got the answer wrong or stumbled while speaking? Would her classmates laugh at her? These thoughts silenced her, and though she longed to participate, she would remain quiet, bottling up her frustration.
Coming from a humble background, her father a daily wage laborer and her mother a homemaker, Sonali also had this inferiority complex resulting in lack of confidence. Sonali herself didn’t realise that what she was experiencing was actually a common issue: low self-confidence. Avoiding conversations, staying silent in class, and hesitating to speak with new people became a daily routine.
Everything changed on 30th November 2024, when the Abhyuday team conducted a workshop at her school, GUPS Shergarh. The session focused on confidence-building and emotional awareness, and was attended by 46 students. The children were encouraged to recognise and express their emotions and taught that seeking help is a sign of strength, not weakness.
One particular activity left an impression. The facilitator asked students, “Is there anything you’ve ever done completely on your own, without help?” Many students said yes, until they were gently reminded that even eating requires help from our hands and mouth. Just like that, in life too, we all need support. This helped students see that it’s okay to ask for help and talk about what’s bothering them, with parents, teachers, or trusted adults.
During one-on-one conversations, Sonali finally opened up. She shared how, despite knowing answers, she would freeze in class. She couldn’t participate in speech competitions either, as speaking in front of others made her anxious.
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Sonali’s class and subject teachers were informed and encouraged to create small, safe opportunities for her to speak. Gradually, with encouragement and reassurance, Sonali began taking small steps, raising her hand, answering questions while standing, and even making casual conversation with her peers.
A few weeks later, her teachers reported a visible change. Sonali was more confident, no longer afraid of making mistakes. “We reminded her,” one teacher shared, “that it’s okay to be wrong. That’s how we learn. If she tries, we’re here to support her.”
When the Abhyuday team visited the school again, Sonali was eager to share how things had changed for her. She smiled as she spoke about her progress, and her teachers confirmed that the workshop had made a lasting impact, not just on Sonali, but on many other students who were quietly struggling.
Sonali’s story reminds us that sometimes, all a child needs is a little support and the right environment to bloom. Through the Abhyuday program, DC continues to nurture that safe space in schools, helping students build the emotional strength they need to thrive, both inside and outside the classroom. To know more about the program, click here.
Names have been changed in the story to protect the identity.
