The 2nd ARise2 workshop began with the same level of excitement as the 1st one. This time the workshop was more relaxed, probably because the women had shed off their previous nervousness that was associated with meeting up with a new group of women. There was a lot of banter, the directors had to call for everyone’s attention.
The directors, Mary Kachitsa and Tikhala Chimpango welcomed all to the meeting. The meeting started with Tikhala reminding everyone that the platform was set up so that women spend time with each other to discuss the universal principles of life and to find out why their lives are shaped the way they are. For example, to ask the question, what hinders women from progressing their lives? Tikhala pointed out that one of the reasons could be the cultural norms that are shaped to discourage women from excelling in society. This has resulted in women losing their confidence and developing self-doubt in their undertakings. She stated that this should not be the case, because there are examples of women who have managed to excel in their specific professions, regardless of any underprivileged backgrounds.
That was just a preamble - some food for thought!
Principles for fulfilling your vision and goals
Mhla Edith
The actual session started with a theoretical background. The background was underpinned by Abraham Maslow’s Human Development Psychology. Mhla stated that Maslow’s classification system illustrates the levels of universal needs, from basic societal needs to individualistic needs. - self-actualisation. Self-actualisation is what can be termed as reaching the fulfilment of one’s life. Mhla stated that discovering who you are should be the fulfilment of life, your IDENTITY.
Mhla stated that the fulfilment of a person’s goals entails a journey where one develops curiosity. Curiosity breeds motivation, which then triggers one’s consciousness to envision what one wants their life to be like. For example, women strive for food, safety, security, love and belongingness. They then feed off these facets to push forward towards achieving contentment. This process aligns itself with the concept of the Wheel of Life, which from where a person identifies goals. Mhla stated that women need to find factors that trigger their individual needs. These factors will drive them towards self-development for example,
· Motivation – based on morals – it’s the right thing to do – Mala Yousefzai
· Spontaneous – post-it note’s accidental discovery by Arthur Fry
· Problem-solving – issues of climate change, and water shortages.
· Acceptance of facts – passion to change – based on political convictions.
If a person wants to become an achiever, they should mull over the following:
· What is it that I would need to attract right now?
· What am I attracted to?
· Am I passionate about them?
After which, they can formulate their dreams, set their goals, and create targets for said goals. The process takes time, hence the need to pace oneself.
Mhla highlighted the principles for fulfilling goals as follows:
· Introspect – which allows an individual to identify limitations
· Access – environment that limits accomplishments (transform not conform)
· Fear – fear cripples, therefore, look to get outside your comfort zones.
· Execution and timing are crucial – build contingencies.
· Giving goals – goals should aim at enhancing environments/communities
Tackling Limitations
· Begin to think big and see the possibilities
· Act towards the things that limit goals.
· Seek the company of big dreamers.
· Continue to grow – Ref Austin Brookes – Oprah Winfrey’s story – From Rags to Riches.
· Face and tackle fears – take time out and breathe beyond the panic.
· Look at the evidence – do not ignore the small wins.
· Visualise a happy place – revisit vision boards.
· Talk about it - not to inhibitors.
Tackling acceptance – Embrace your story
· Take things less personally with negative words.
· Don’t confuse acceptance with ignorance.
· See acceptance as the ability to relax around things.
· OWN your Success.
Tikhala Chimpango
Tikhala started her presentation with a quote from the Bible “As a (wo)man thinketh in (her) his heart, so is (s)he” (Proverbs, chapter 23, verse 7:) emphasising the point that a person’s external outlook reflects their internal being. Visions and goals are therefore a person’s view of themselves, hence, the need for a person to set time apart to self-reflect.
Identity
Tikhala stated that identity is identified from birth. Each person is born with a unique code. Other identities include names, physical make-up, personal experiences and values. Some of these identities need to be revalued. An example is the education systems in Africa which were and are, built on European concepts. An African child’s education is introduced to foreign abstracts which have no bearing on its cultural environment. This outlook on education has disempowered African societies, as it creates an element of self-doubt in individuals. It is, therefore, imperative that values and cultures are revisited. Tikhala used an example from Wonder Woman’s training session to illustrate how self-doubt affects people, and how this hindrance can be overcome. She stated that women could excel if they stretched themselves (even if it is 5 to 10 per cent more of their selves). Tikhala reiterated that this was the reason why ARise2 was launched. It was to create a platform to create space where women could empower themselves. She advised women to confide in the mentors who will guide them on their journey. She assured the attendees that the journey, the lessons, and the tips that will be obtained from these workshops will change the way that women view their lives. She, therefore, asked the attendees to make use of the remaining days to maximise their efforts in pursuing their dreams. Dreams can be pursued in different fields, for example, in music, in art, in medicine, in fashion or in food.
Tikhala listed some tips on how women can become attain their identity.
· Look inwards, listen within, and meditate.
· Accept your imperfections.
· Forgive and honour themselves,
· Never hold themselves or another woman, hostage, about their past.
· Get to understand that failure is just an experience.
· Examine their strengths and maximize them,
· Never lose individuality, don’t be submerged in other women’s thinking.
· Think and chose what serves you, discard the rest.
· Be authentic - Never get revered by someone else’s ideas.
· Believe in whatever you want to do.
· Declutter
· Swing on the goal with all your mind
· Get clarity on what you want to do
· Avoid fast tracking – take time. Yard by yard is hard. Inch by inch is a cinch.
· Be childlike in their pursuit of our goals – Be curious, happy, pause and wonder
· Become a student of life –Expose themselves to knowledge.
Tikhala cautioned that all this takes time to achieve. Using two large glass jars of liquid, she dripped water from one jar into a jar of undiluted purple liquid, diluting it. The more water she poured into it, the clearer the diluted liquid became.
Finally, to mark the end of the session, Tikhala released some different coloured balloons from her hands, advising women to release the racial prejudices that they may be harbouring.
Conclusion
· A Women ARise 2 Mentorship Project Form was circulated among the mentees. The form was sent to assess the needs of various mentees, who were later grouped into four categories: Physical and Mental Well-being, Education, Career and Business.
· There was a Q&A session that addressed some of the queries that the attendees had.
· The session was closed with a prayer from Eunice.
Directors: Mary Kachitsa and Tikhala Chimpango.
Trustees: Barbara Makhalira, Tamanda Kalua and Chrissy Mlotha
Funded by The National Lottery
Patricia Kulipa Chimangeni– Women ARise
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