Storytelling

By: Savita Narayn

Challenge & Selection

The tool that I chose is “Storytelling”. I work with vulnerable populations, women and young girls who  have been sexually abused, raped and  molested. Many of them suffer from mental trauma and  couldn’t get over a certain situation for a long time, which leads to depression, suicidal thoughts and  sometimes even suicide. . I spend a lot of time “opening them up” and finding ways to inspire them to  improve their circumstances, by giving them courage and motivation. When I work with women, we  share stories for different situations and reasons. Most of the time because they are scared of society  being biased against them and will declare the victim as criminal. Sometimes because they lack family  support and ultimately everyone just blames them for their clothing and personality.  When I talk to them, it makes them really happy and relief to share stories of their lives and connect  with me. It overwhelms them as they never found anyone who would understand them and support  then rather than blaming them. With my survivor clients, I share stories of my life as well to make  them realise that they are not alone, standing in that situation and we all support and understand  them. To make the realise that they are not “victims” but “fighters”.  I use this information to develop  different strategies to try and find  ways that works for them to gain more independence, self  confidence in the areas they find lacking in their lives.    Application

I have a story about using storytelling. In a counselling session in a school, I was trying to explain people  the importance of them and self confidence in life and how each person is unique and  beautiful and  addressing their individual needs first and foremost. The speech also focused on anti-bullying and self- protection. I was also explaining how sometimes addressing the needs of one individual can impact  everyone for the better, even if it seems extreme or out of the ordinary. I also shared stories of me  motivating and inspiring women who had suffered from rape and abuse.  . Everyone was doing really  well except for one girl whose stress was making her very emotionally volatile. I could tell she needed  attention. In my mind I decided I needed to talk to her and she would be my Princess for an hour. I  poured her a cup of chai and sat down with her and let her talk. It turned out that she has been sexually  abused by her uncle, and she recently came out to her mother about it. She was terrified and at first  because her mother blamed her and didn’t understand her, but gradually her mother understood her  point and supported her. Me mentioning about sexual abuse and rape just brought back all the bad  memories to her which was overwhelming and emotional for her.    Insight & Approach

Well, that was an eye opener. The girl was terrified and was in trauma at first, but now she is calm and  doing very well. Clearly it was time for me to open up with my story. I told her how traumatized I was  when my private tutor started touching me inappropriately and how it affected my studies because I  never talked or opened up about it to anyone. By noting that how she and I both have faced similar  situations and that she was not alone. I later inspired her and gave her motivation for being a fighter.  This worked really well. She really needed individual attention for that brief time, and she ended up  with that and a true support. She calmed down. Peace reigned again in our little heart to heart  conversation room. So I told this story to the other women facing similar situation, and I think it had  a big impact on people there. Sometimes a little story can do a lot of good. This course made me see  this as a tool in a new way. Now I can prepare ahead and think of stories that will assist me in  presenting my ideas and best illuminate them.

