Faria's AGM Speech 2010

First of all, I would like to thank Women and Work for giving me this opportunity to share my story with you, when Janice called me this week I was so excited and a bit nervous but as the days came closer I became more confident and I was looking forward to it.

Well, my name is Faria and I'm a mother of 3 children. I'm studying to be a qualified accountant. I'm strong and an independent woman

I have been in this country for nearly 10 years now. I have worked very hard to improve my English and my life style. I've done my diploma in I.T and account respectively and passed with distinction. For four years now I have been working with Avon and in weekend I have been working with children in our community centre.

I have skills and qualification I am ready to face the world but I did not know where to start .My self esteem was very low, my cv was not that good and have never done an interview .Here where Women and Work comes in. One of my friends told me about this organisation and how she was benefited from it.

Women and Work is outstanding organisation that provide invaluable help to women and (sometimes) men. I remember the day when I came here. The staffs were very friendly and helpful. I spent about 40 minutes with Sam (one of the advisor) .She advised me and straight away she put me in the right direction and a course...Job Search Skill.

This course is very helpful. It doesn't only teach you how to write CV or interview techniques but it also help you to build your confidence. Within these eight week I have gain more knowledge and understand of myself than before.

Joan (my tutor) what can I say, she was not only a tutor but a guardian to us. She helped us to build our confidence and self esteem. In a word, this course drew out of me understand my skills and qualities. Through this journey I met new people and now proudly, I can call them my friends. I learnt how to write an outstanding CV, Interview techniques and how to present myself confidently and appropriately. I can't appreciate more than that. Just for the record, yesterday for the first time I was invited to interview. I know I did well, finger cross.

Women and Work make you feel like you are a part of big family and I am honoured to be part of it. This organisation is not like college or university when you graduate you are on your own. It still attached to you and make sure you achieved your goal.

At last but not least would like to say thanks again to woman and work to be part of my life journey and to all of you who take your valuable time to come to our Annual General Meeting. THANK YOU

Before I go I would like to say a short quotation which always inspired me by Ben Sweetland 'Success is a journey, not a destination'
Faria