I applied for the Samvaad Fellowship with the idea of reviving traditional handicrafts. Despite making mistakes while filling out the form, I was selected. I have trained over 60 women in my village in the past year.
Initially, many men refused to let their wives attend my workshops as they thought I was some strange creature. But the women stood up for me.
Meanwhile, I feel my community has accepted me as a woman as I barely get disparaging comments about my ‘confused identity’ now.
It’s enough that my community is trying to transcend beyond the gender binaries. Change, anyway, is a slow process.
It’s also difficult to support myself financially, be it living independently or paying my school fees. But I am determined to continue to work for my community, especially women, for they truly make me feel a part of their small tribe.
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