4 years ago, Rida Ashraf thought she had finally found her perfect writing training course, a workshop titled “Tell Your Story". After all, she spent as much time as she could remember as a creator of stories. She used to tell made-up stories to her younger siblings and cousins as a little girl, crafted bedtime fantasies with her students, drew out scenes in corners of her notebooks. She had spent four years putting her passion into her very first novel. And so, when she saw a notice on a social media post with a heading “Tell Your Story,” she pictured a writing bootcamp.
What she didn’t realize was that she had joined a bootcamp by the Movers Programme, an international community of young people dedicated to sparking change through volunteer workshops on the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), leadership, and entrepreneurship. Not exactly the writing workshop she had in mind.
"I expected a masterclass on plot structures and character development," Rida recalled with a laugh. "Instead, I opened a door into a storm on climate action, SDGs, and leadership development. I'm really glad I did not leave."
Before her unexpected intake into the Movers Programme, Rida had already established a track towards becoming a published author. She lives in a society that questioned why a woman had to attend university, let alone study business. But with her mother's unwavering support, she was the first in her household to pursue a higher level of study.
"I'm a dreamer," she says, "but once I've made up my mind about a goal, I do whatever is necessary—never at the cost of my self-respect."
This passion pushed her through business school, funded her writing dreams, and steered her burgeoning interest in teaching and sharing information.
When Rida saw that “Tell Your Story” was not as much a writing workshop as she expected, she could have logged out. But something wonderful did take place. The interactive, supportive vibe in the culture of the Movers captivated her from the very beginning. She gained new methods of storytelling, not merely fiction, but also about development, social impact, and social innovation.
"I was amazed at just how much I loved these workshops!" she says with a big smile. "I gained insights into climate change, sustainable development, social entrepreneurship pitch preparation, all in a new approach to practicing the craft of storytelling."
At first, Rida did not enjoy communicating in packed virtual sessions with learners from across Asia and around the entire world. But soon, she began feeling at ease with the Movers' network. Rida soon started leading weekend workshops, volunteering as a facilitator in “Tell Your Story” and training others on expressing their thoughts.
"I used to be scared to speak in front of a crowd before," she admits. "But volunteering to lead these Movers workshops got me confidence back. Stage fright therapy, that is it, except I had a global family that encouraged me! I love them from the bottom of my heart."
And that global village is no exaggeration. Rida interacted with people from Bangladesh, China, Korea, Vietnam, and countless other locales she had not even hoped she might visit. She developed close relationships with those in faraway time zones, even learning to schedule meetings in terms that involved phrases as “5 PM GMT+5” that she finds still both amusing and exhilarating.
Rida draws her biggest source of inspiration from her mother, whose entrepreneurial dreams once were shattered by social convention. In honor of her mom's dream, Rida started her business, Taqalum - lets converse, which brings together entrepreneurship, environmental activism, and creativity. Climate fiction, as a case in point, is her new passion project—she is hosting a writing fellowship that will inspire artists to produce work that raises awareness regarding the climate. However, she is welcoming people all across Pakistan for the “Green Narrative Fellowship” - another one on climate storytelling and communication and that too in collaboration with the Movers Programme.
Four (and growing) years with the Movers, and Rida hasn't let her energy flag. The reason, she says, is that everybody is so welcoming and receptive. Nobody shoots down new ideas; they give you feedback, kick solutions around, and work with each other in becoming more effective. Rida credits that kind of energy with staying involved, even in busy moments.
You can take a break whenever you need. Return whenever you can. Movers is always ready with another big idea.
When queried about what she would tell a new member, as well as those thinking about joining, her words are brief: jump in.
If you are a human being that wants to leave some kind of footprint, that is where you will do it. You will be becoming a new you, a new enhanced you from yesterday, perhaps not even realizing it. And also, you will have great friendships.
This International Women's Day, Rida's tale reminds us that women around the world are not afraid to dream big and take risks. To write bestselling fiction, run workshops, break social barriers - Rida's life is a testament to “doing whatever it takes” with a sense of unfailing self-respect.
Rida often jokes that she has “a spreadsheet worth of people to thank” because during her Movers journey, she’s met countless mentors, collaborators, and friends. She recalls early days with Zawad and Lameya—who introduced her to the bootcamp—then doing her two workshops, “Intro to SDGs” and “Tell You Story”. After that, she collaborated with fellow Movers from Pakistan and across the Asia-Pacific to organize a series of 12 workshops, fueling the community's growth with no turning back, and became the first Movers Envoy from Pakistan. She’s also grateful to friends at home, especially Arooj, and friends from all over the world, China, Korea, and Vietnam, who’ve helped her hone her storytelling style. And, of course, she shares a special thanks to Linka, whose support and listening ear allowed Rida to compose herself and share her story more openly.
She may have clicked on a workshop hoping to learn about prose and character development. She got a global network, a platform on which she can expand her voice, and an opportunity to bring her two great loves, storytelling and entrepreneurship, into a union. And in a move that is characteristically Rida, she isn’t slowing down.
Ready to craft your own story of change? As Rida says, “If you’re looking for a space in which to study, contribute, and take action, the Movers Programme is waiting with its arms out. Go on, register, and let yourself be swept away on a serendipitous adventure.” Happy International Women's Day! Let Rida's story inspire you to keep on moving, keep on dreaming, and keep on writing your own story, one page at a time.
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