The Story of Salma
Before joining AWT in 2019, I didn’t even realize I was living with depression. Every day felt like a weight pressing down on me. I felt constant pressure in my daily life, but I could never understand where it was really coming from. I was simply surviving, going through the motions, carrying responsibilities and expectations, but never truly thriving. My mind and heart felt heavy, and I often wondered if things would ever feel lighter.
Everything began to shift when I joined AWT’s training programs. Step by step, I started to understand myself, to face struggles I had ignored or buried for far too long. The trainings gave me tools to cope with the bumps along the way instead of letting them control me. I began to see that I didn’t have to be defined by stress or fear. I discovered the courage to make my own decisions, to assert myself, and even to adjust my surroundings so I could prioritize my mental health and nurture inner peace.
The change in me was undeniable. I remember one moment vividly, when I realized, “I do have something to give. I can have an impact.” It was as if a door had opened inside me, and the light spilling in made me see possibilities I had never noticed before. The transformation touched not only my life but also the lives of people around me. I became more confident, more present, and more aware of how my own growth could inspire others.
Over the three years I spent with AWT, the journey was carefully guided. Every program and step was tailored to my needs, helping me grow both practically and psychologically, particularly in leadership. I learned how to navigate challenges, how to set goals, and how to lead with confidence and clarity. New horizons appeared before me, and opportunities I had never dreamed of started to unfold, including better work prospects and ways to serve others. I no longer felt trapped or stuck in old patterns. I felt empowered, capable, and alive.
One of the most profound shifts was spiritual. I had always believed in God, but my relationship with Him had grown distant under the weight of my struggles. Through ACCTS, I began to reconnect with my faith, not as a ritual, but as a source of strength. I started reading scripture with new eyes, praying with honesty, and trusting that God was not only present but actively working in my life. Verses like Isaiah 43:2 reminded me that I was not alone in the fire or the flood, He was with me, sanctifying me through every trial.
I also began to reclaim my identity, not just as a woman, but as a daughter of God. I stopped measuring my worth by how much I could carry or how well I could perform. Instead, I began to rest in the truth that I was loved, chosen, and called. That shift changed everything. It gave me permission to breathe, to dream, and to live with grace. I started to make decisions not out of fear, but out of faith. I began to see my life as a testimony, not just a struggle.
Today, I am deeply grateful for this journey with AWT. It reshaped my life in ways that are still unfolding. I learned that healing is possible, that growth is intentional, and that with guidance and support, I can step boldly into the future God has planned for me. What I found was not only restoration for myself but also a mission to be a source of hope and influence for others, showing them that they too can rise, thrive, and make a difference.