I'm K. Swapna, a second-year B.Com student at RDC Jagadgirigutta. My father is an auto driver, my mother a homemaker, and I have a younger brother who just finished his 10th standard. I aspire to pursue post-graduation from Osmania University and become a teacher. To support my family, I also wanted to take up a part-time job—but I realised a proper resume was the first step. Most samples I saw didn't feel authentic. I wanted mine to reflect who I truly am. The Resume Building session during Project Oorja changed everything. I learnt how to structure a resume, what to include, and why honesty matters more than exaggeration. It also helped me see the value of real skills and continuous learning. I now have a plan to build relevant skills aligned with my dream of teaching. Thanks to Project Oorja, I understand that building a resume is really about building myself—my confidence, knowledge, and future.

Pallavi approached a local school wherein the principal after learning about her heroics extended support to conduct her programme at the school campus without fear. This filled Pallavi's heart with satisfaction and by the end of that summer she had empowered 70 students in her village.

Aafiya always believed that change starts from one individual. She joined SILT hoping to understand her position in the society and the ways in which she could contribute towards social development. Always full with ideas, Aafiya was searching for a space where she could ideate and debate.

"SILT helped break some of my preconceived notions and has helped me with the course I am currently pursuing. It also brought together similar-minded people."

E4 has been a pivotal step in my journey into social impact. I feel more equipped and guided, with clarity that was missing before. Identifying my strengths has helped me make better decisions at work. Most importantly, meeting like-minded people and hearing inspiring stories gave me confidence in my shift from corporate to the development sector. I'm truly grateful to the facilitators and organising team for embedding empathy and strength at the heart of this programme.

As I began my journey in the development sector, I was seeking support and direction—something the E4 programme offered in abundance. I gained clarity on my goals, explored tools and methods to approach complex social issues, and began aligning with the SDGs I care about. The experience helped me reflect on my IKIGAI and chart a path for the next five years. I'm grateful for the chance to learn, grow, and experiment, and I hope more women leaders get to experience this.

"The session that impacted me the most was about the different forms of violence and the rights that girls and women have at home, in school, and in the community. As a teacher, I see firsthand how these issues affect students, especially girls, but I didn't always know how to support them or respond in the right way. This session gave me a clear understanding of the laws and protections in place, and how we can use them to help not just ourselves but also our students and communities. It was eye-opening and empowering — I now feel more confident and responsible as an educator to create a safer, more supportive environment for all children."