Blogs

When the clock struck 10 in the morning of Monday with our Executive Director calling for the usual weekly staff meeting, we had no expectations of it being a different one. After the usual project specific summaries by project leads and operations unit, it was the turn of Sushil Sir (HERD’s Executive Director) with a surprise in store for us when he uttered, “Let’s play a game”. Everyone was confused, could be football or some musical games as he is fond of singing and dancing. But it was something else, a mind game. He asked us to get a paper and express five inspirational messages - anything that pops up in our mind. We had to paste the paper on the walls of our partly damaged office building to rewind and rejuvenate ourselves from the earthquake aftermath.

The Wall of Hope - HERD field researcher walks by positive messages hung on the ground floor

Seema Giri, Intern at HERD gathers her thoughts to pen down her positive messages to motivate herself and her colleagues at this difficult time.

In no time the walls of HERD office were filled with people's emotions. It was an art of expression which didn’t just inspire one but many. Now that the messages are seen everywhere, it brings smiles in everyone's face and also takes away the boredom and the fear.

Straight from the heart - HERD members pour their emotions:

• Enjoy life, there is plenty of time to be dead.
• I am prepared for the worst thing that can happen to me. But I will always dare to live my life.
• How lucky we are, we got an opportunity again to do something good.
• Life is tough, but remember so are you.
• Life is simple, lets not make it complicated.
• I live my life to the fullest. There are no half measures.
• Don’t blame situations for your failure. Blame yourself and work for its betterment.
• As aftershocks keep on reducing, our happiness will keep on mounting.
• "पराकम्पन (Aftershocks)", no way it is rather "प्याराकम्पन (lovely shock)"  Lets enjoy it, shall we?
• I am going to make the rest of my life, the best of my life.

Such spirited slogans, helps to bring smiles in our face and also a glimmer of hope.