February 8, 2019The Take Off of Our PSU Rocket
“When you break the wings of a bird, you take its freedom to fly. Just as when a girl’s opportunity for education is taken away, you are taking chances away from her to be something great in the future.”
We are Project Stand Up (PSU) a project that STANDS UP for girls, their right to education, and their right to dream without limits.
Behind the Scenes
The journey to prepare for the launch of our project was one of the most rewarding experiences we’ve ever been through. It was a process of squeezing every drop of creativity and commitment from our team. Along the way, we faced many challenges — some harder than others.
Our Speeches
Writing our individual speeches was definitely a challenge. But what was even more difficult was summarizing three years of our journey into just 45 minutes. Each member of the team chose to share a different chapter of our story — introducing our problem and solution, the behind-the-scenes hard work, the application journey, and finally, our vision for the future.
We were fortunate to have Ajeet, a volunteer from the Speech Academy, who guided us in improving our public speaking skills with patience and expert advice. Our project managers, Jessica and Lucy, were there every step of the way, offering constant support and unlimited feedback to help us polish our presentations.
Our Champions — the change agents in our community — also played an important role. They prepared their parts with dedication, ready to show guests our app and speak confidently about what Project Stand Up means to our community.
It was tough, practicing over and over, but as the saying goes, “The fruits of hard work are sweeter than the sweetest nectar.” And it truly was!
Finally, the big day arrived — the launch of our project at the Australian High Commission. As we walked through the doors, we were nervous but also amazed by the grandeur of the space and the warm welcome we received.
Our project, funded by innovationXchange of the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs, had brought us to this moment. The Australian High Commissioner himself welcomed everyone — delegates from various embassies, project partners, community board members, our parents, and our supporters.
During his speech, he spoke about our focus on gender equality, and how this project will help girls pursue education and unlock opportunities for their futures. One particular line struck us deeply — when he said that we, as youth, have the power to change the world, and that our initiative could expand globally if we continue to lead with passion and purpose.
When it was our turn to speak, we felt a surge of pride and confidence. Standing on stage in front of our parents, community, and partners, we shared our story. Laughter, reflection, and emotion filled the room as we spoke. Cameras flashed, videos rolled — and for a moment, we felt like important voices shaping the conversation.
We didn’t just present we connected. By the end of the event, we had truly become the highlight of the day.
Conclusion
“BRAVO! AMAZING! YOU GUYS LEFT ME SPEECHLESS! YOUR PUBLIC SPEAKING SKILLS WERE...WOW!”
These were just some of the heartwarming comments we received after our presentation. Community members, parents, and supporters told us how proud they were of us and our journey.
Our Champions shined, too, as they confidently presented the app to guests and explained how it addresses challenges at three levels: individual, household, and community. People were astonished to learn that we designed an app, now available on the Google Play Store as a solution for our community.
That day left us with mixed emotions of happiness, pride, and gratitude. The fruit of our hard work was beyond sweet, and the memory of that milestone will stay with us forever.