Struggles, Success, and Sisterhood: My Journey with World Pulse

It’s 1:49 AM in Bangladesh. I just finished scheduling my work for the next day, and my heart feels full of anticipation. Tomorrow, I will meet ten bright young girls—recipients of the World Pulse Initiative Award honorarium. These girls, full of dreams and aspirations, are beginning their journey in ICT skill development, and I can’t wait to hear their stories.

When I first received the World Pulse award, I was going through one of the toughest phases of my life. As a woman entrepreneur, I have always known that our path is never smooth—it’s a winding road filled with obstacles. In my organization, we run eight projects focusing on education, skill development, and employment for underprivileged people. Every year, we serve over 100,000 individuals through these initiatives, funded by our own social business model and corporate CSR contributions.

But from July to December, we faced an incredibly challenging period due to the unstable economic situation. Some of our projects had to pause, and by October, several of our regular initiatives came to a halt. I was deeply worried, struggling to find ways to restart our programs. I wrote countless proposals, seeking support, and continued sharing our impact stories despite the hardships.

Amidst this struggle, World Pulse recognized our efforts. Even in the midst of financial instability, we had directly served over 18,000 people, impacting more than 72,000 lives in total. This acknowledgment gave me renewed hope.

Beyond the recognition, World Pulse also provided direct investment. I decided to donate the $100 honorarium I received to offer skill development training to ten young girls. This small step reaffirmed my belief that even in difficult times, we can still create opportunities for others.

I have seen many organizations shut down, and I have witnessed the dreams of countless women fade away due to financial struggles or personal hardships. But I am still here—standing strong—because of hope, appreciation, and the encouragement I receive from my global sisters. Every morning, I remind myself, Nishat, you are not alone. There are women around the world who believe in you, who are watching your progress, and who uplift you with love and blessings.

Tomorrow morning, I will sit with my ten young girls, listen to their ICT learning journey, their dreams, and their aspirations. And this is just the beginning. With the honorariums I have received from my speeches and writings, I am committed to launching another batch in March.

Thank you, World Pulse, for not only recognizing my journey but for inspiring me to continue serving more people in a sustainable way. This is not just my story—it is a testament to the power of resilience, sisterhood, and unwavering hope.