Amal Academy rewind
In the end, it all becomes a memory
It was a breezy day in the mid of March when I got a notification from Amal Academy for the first ever project work submission. At the time, I was in Bahawalpur, touring historical sites like the Al-Sadiq central library. This was a long long awaited graduation trip in the midst of which the Amal fellowship classes commenced. Tired from a 6 hour road trip and surrounded by friends, I was unsure how I would attend the online sessions. I somehow managed to submit my assignment at the last moment but despite setting up multiple alarms, I was unable to wake up for the introductory Saturday session. I woke up in a jolt, checking my clock and having an instant rush of regret for missing the session and hysterically questioning all my friends of why nobody woke me up. It was soon after 12:00 p.m. when the messages started to come in on the WhatsApp group, this made me feel more left out.
My motivation to join this fellowship was networking, and missing the introductory session I felt as if I am already missing out. I decided I would attend the Sunday class no matter what! Yet I couldn’t make it to the session, again. The session aftermath came as WhatsApp group messages and Facebook group posts on “life map”. The talk on batch 188 WhatsApp group was regarding this circle member named Aizaz and his power story. Unable to completely comprehend, I tried to grasp bits from it and make sense. His story was of a close friend who passed away tragically. He also mentioned this in his life map and how it had an impact on him. His story made me reflect and think how ungrateful I tend to become at times. I often take my friendships for granted and don’t take time out. Before the next session I came back to Karachi and the same week I joined my first job at AKU. Learning a lesson from Aizaz’s story, I watered the new friendships at the workplace. Along with that, I made efforts to catch up with the lost work. I messaged on the WhatsApp group and got a very welcoming response. This is when I knew I was off to a good start.
In the second week, I entered Planet Amal Academy. Apart from discovering that zoom meetings can be fun and engaging, I also came across the distractions. Where having the cameras open has its pros, there’s a con. That is, your background, or accessories can divert a lot of attention. The main diversion I instantly scanned were the painting in ma’am Uswah’s background, the book in Owais’s background, a cloth hanging from the side in Wajeeh’s background, Muzna’s glasses, Ubadah’s rings, and Madiha’s hair accessory. I found myself so invested in knowing more about the story behind all these objects. I learned that through online classes you give away fragments of yourself through your surroundings and your appearance. It shows what truly aligns with your personality attributes that you wear even when at home. It feels like yesterday when I was noticing all of this, today Madiha even has her own startup (SHEWINGS) for hair accessories.
Other highlights from starting week’s include videos on 4 communication tips and learning group activities. The communication tips for me was something very different and precise. I have remembered all the tips by heart. I have witnessed myself and others around me grow throughout this three month journey. The Amal Academy fellowship has truly infused the growth mindset in all of us. I hope we take this legacy forward and become the most valuable team player.
