Sarifa, a talented artist hailing from a slum in Bhubaneswar, has an incredible story of self-discovery. Despite winning numerous awards and recognitions in various competitions and exams during her childhood, she never truly recognized her potential.
She always had a deep interest in the field of art, but she faced a harsh reality. There are very few stable jobs in the art sector, with most being small, gig-based opportunities. Moreover, full-time positions often require digital art skills, which demand expensive tools and equipment that were beyond Sarifa’s reach.
Purchasing these high-end tools simply wasn’t an option for her. So, to make ends meet, she took a job as a waiter in a restaurant. While she found contentment in this role, she continued to seek other opportunities for career advancement.
One day, a colleague at the restaurant shared some exciting news with Sarifa. She had started a learning center to teach children during her off-hours, earning extra income in the process. Intrigued, Sarifa inquired about how she could also participate in this program and open her own learning center.
Her friend invited her to join her in a visit to a training camp organized by ThinkZone. Sarifa attended the training camp, but what truly piqued her interest was a unique idea. She realized that by combining art with education, she could make learning even more captivating.
“I never imagined that my skills would be put to use in such a meaningful way, contributing to the joyful learning of children in my community. Now, I can confidently say that I am leading the life I’ve always aspired to have. What brings me even more joy is witnessing the enthusiasm of my students as they eagerly await the opportunity to explore something new through the engaging medium of art.”
Sarifa Says…
So, with this inspiration, she began teaching children using art techniques, like creating flashcards and using storytelling through art. The students embraced this unique approach.
In addition, she learned about 21st-century skills, which opened up new opportunities. She realized that she could share her unique talent with the world through social media. Sarifa began creating short, art-based educational videos and posted them on YouTube.
Within a few months, her YouTube channel started gaining more views and subscribers. Now, Sarifa not only runs her offline learning center but also teaches students online.
Sarifa reflects on her journey and says, “A few months ago, I didn’t even know that a profession like tech based tutoring existed. Thanks to the ThinkZone program, I’ve carved out a new career path. I’ve come to realize that my art skills can have a real impact on children and our community, making our society a better place.
