“I began to see the changes in me after joining the Maharani programme. I became more confident to interact with people and even made many new friends,” she says.She said the MLL classes gave her many opportunities to learn and try new things. “For example, I have never baked before. Through these classes I learned how to bake cakes and cupcakes. I was so good at it that the teacher gave me the opportunity to teach other students. I loved it as it not only gave me a new skill set but also helped to build my character and confidence to speak and guide others,” she said.
Harshini has never attended any type of camps before and found the three-phased Maharani camps unforgettable.
“The first phase taught us the importance of teamwork and how to interact within a group. I learned how to work with new people in a group when given a task such as presentation. During the second phase, I was taught survival skill where we were brought to a jungle. It turned out to be one of the best experiences that I ever had and I was taught to be brave. Lastly, the third phase is about leadership where I spoke in front of others which improved my self-confidence and self-esteem to lead a team,” she said.
Harshini encourages more girls to join the Maharani programme.
“This kind of programme is unique and useful to girls from rural areas like me. I not only gained skills and knowledge, but it also helped to boost my confidence,” she said.“We are taught to dream big in the Maharani programme. I have always wanted to become an Immigration officer. There is something about wearing the uniform that I like and I want to work at the airport. “I want to prove to the world that a girl from a rural area like me can achieve her dream and I hope that it will inspire many others like me,” says Harshini.
