Nal’ibali taught me how to bring stories to life

When I first joined Nal’ibali, I was a shy person. I never imagined myself standing in front of people and speaking. Even reading stories to children with confidence was something I thought would never happen. Deep inside, I knew I struggled with confidence and self-esteem. But I also made a promise to myself that I would learn, no matter how hard it felt.

During the training, I clearly remember how nervous I was. The facilitator asked us to role-play a story session, reading aloud as if we were reading to children. When it was my turn, my heart raced. I was unsure about myself, but I thought, let me try. As I read the story, I didn’t feel confident at all, but then I looked up and saw the facilitator smiling at me. That smile gave me the courage I needed to keep going. I started to believe that I could actually do this.

When I finally started working with children, it was initially scary, but I knew I had to do it. And with every story I read and every session I led, I felt more confident. The children listened to me. They respected me. They laughed, asked questions, and participated. Every time they engaged with me, I felt prouder of myself.

Now I can stand in front of anyone and speak without fear, not only children but even parents. My self-esteem is high, and I feel capable of handling any job. The way I read and tell stories now is so different from when I first started. Back then, I would just read. Now, I bring stories to life. I use actions, change my voice, engage with the children, and connect with them. I am no longer just someone who reads stories; I am a storyteller. And that’s all because of the opportunity Nal’ibali gave me.