Sarah Santa Maria has not looked back since she went on a Common
Purpose course. She says: "It has given me real confidence, and
now I am looking to the future and what else I can do."
Sarah's new found confidence and knowledge have had a direct
benefit, as she explained: "With regard to marketing it has
been a huge benefit. Our profits from sales have gone up and they
should continue to do so into the future."
The Diya
Foundation is a charity based in Bangalore that works
with mentally challenged adults and equips them with the skills to
make a range of products, such as chocolates, candles and paper
products, which can be sold to raise money. This gives fresh hope
and self pride to the people taking part, offers respite for their
families and raises the finance needed to support and grow the work
of the foundation.
Sarah said that the course had broadened her vision to such an
extent that she was now considering ways in which she could expand
the work of the foundation:
"Common Purpose has really opened things up for me. Before,
I did not have the confidence to talk to anyone, apart from my
family, about the Diya Foundation. But on the course I met people
from the corporate world and realised that I did have something to
say.
"It made me realise that I was hiding
myself - I now know there is no need to be shy. The contacts I made
from the corporate world are helping me at the moment, and will
continue to do so in the future. Now I am thinking about what we
can do next. I feel that if I can empower other people to become
leaders, then that is great."
It comes as no surprise to discover that she has been actively
recommending Common Purpose to other colleagues and says that she
is looking forward to seeing the outcomes for one of her employees,
who is currently taking part.
She said:"I have grown tremendously as an individual. I met
so many different people that it gave me a much better perspective
of others. It is one of the best things I have ever done."
