In the heart of rural Punjab, in a modest town called Kot Radha Kishan, an extraordinary shift began to take shape in July 2025. In an era where global challenges require local leadership and inclusive innovation, a virtual session hosted by Freedom Gate Prosperity (FGP) in collaboration with The Learning School (TLS) became more than just a workshop; it became a turning point in how adolescent girls from underserved communities view their place in the world.

Titled “Your Voice, Your Future: Skills, Dreams, and the World Beyond School,” the two-hour online session was attended by a vibrant cohort of female students between the ages of 12 and 18. These young minds gathered to explore their aspirations, discuss skill-based learning, and engage in conversations that would eventually inform the next phase of FGP’s flagship initiative, EmpowerHer Labs. This was no ordinary orientation; it was a participatory and transformative Training Needs Assessment (TNA) cleverly designed as an engaging dialogue rather than a conventional survey.

EmpowerHer Labs: A Vision for Real-World Learning

At the core of this initiative is the EmpowerHer Labs pilot model, a structured, school-integrated program that combines vocational skills, digital literacy, climate awareness, and leadership development. Through partnerships with educational institutions like The Learning School, EmpowerHer Labs aims to equip adolescent girls with tools to thrive in a fast-evolving, climate-affected, and digitally connected world.

The goal is not merely to supplement academic curricula but to radically enhance it by rooting education in relevance. In an environment where traditional schooling often fails to address market realities, especially for rural girls, EmpowerHer Labs offers a new blueprint for learning: practical, participatory, and profoundly transformative.

A Powerful Guest Session: Ms. Afia Salam on Climate Realities

An essential highlight of the workshop was an interactive session led by Ms. Afia Salam, a renowned journalist, environmentalist, and climate change advocate. With decades of experience in media and development, Ms. Salam brought deep insight and urgency to her dialogue with the students. She spoke about the growing reality of climate change as a defining force in our era and emphasized that its consequences, from floods to food insecurity are now a lived reality, not a distant threat.

Her talk encouraged the girls to think critically and courageously about their role in climate adaptation. She underscored the importance of youth-led environmental action, especially from girls in climate-vulnerable communities. Through relatable examples and dynamic Q&A, she challenged them to lead local solutions while staying connected to global challenges. Freedom Gate Prosperity extends sincere thanks to Ms. Afia Salam for her time, wisdom, and powerful mentorship to our students.

The Voice of a New Generation

The session’s structure was built around dream-mapping exercises, interactive polls, open-ended questions, and idea-sharing spaces where students were encouraged to reflect, imagine, and articulate. The responses that emerged were nothing short of remarkable.

Many students expressed an urgent desire to gain digital and technical skills. From coding, programming, and game development to stock trading and website creation, their interests reflected not only exposure to global digital trends but also an eagerness to participate in them. These weren’t just abstract desires; the girls linked these skills to real outcomes, careers, businesses, and a sense of independence.

Others leaned toward entrepreneurship, envisioning small online businesses focused on handmade jewelry, fashion accessories, bags, and eco-friendly crafts. Some students had already started exploring platforms like WhatsApp and Instagram to test the waters, showcasing remarkable self-initiative and digital instinct.

Perhaps the most compelling dimension of their aspirations was a shared concern for the environment. Many girls voiced a passion for climate action and eco-innovation, expressing strong interest in learning about composting, urban gardening, vertical farming, and plastic reuse. For them, sustainability was not just an ethical concern but also a livelihood opportunity; an idea beautifully aligned with the mission of EmpowerHer Labs.

Transformational Learning through Dialogue

Ms. Saaremeen Fatima, FGP’s Program Manager for Youth Development and the session lead, reflected on the experience:

“This session was a testament to the brilliance, passion, and leadership potential of our rural girls. Their questions and ideas were not only inspiring but deeply strategic. It is clear that when we listen and co-design programs with them, not for them; we build real pathways to empowerment and resilience.”

The Learning School’s administration also expressed enthusiastic support. The Principal of The Learning School noted:

“We are deeply grateful to Freedom Gate Prosperity for bringing this vision to our students. The session opened up a new world of possibilities, allowing our girls to voice their hopes and learn about real skills that can transform their lives. We look forward to a long-term partnership that enriches education with relevance and impact.”

In his closing remarks, Mr. Muhammad Anwar, CEO of FGP and co-founder of The Learning School, placed the session in a broader context:

“This initiative reflects the urgent need to reframe education in Pakistan where learning must prepare young girls not just for exams, but for life, livelihoods, and leadership. Climate resilience and economic empowerment are no longer optional, they are essential. Our girls must be equipped to navigate environmental challenges and shape sustainable futures for their communities.”

Training Needs Assessment Insights

The Training Needs Assessment was designed to gather both qualitative and actionable data. Here is a thematic breakdown of the most common and urgent interests voiced by the students:

• Digital Skills: Coding, game development, stock trading, programming
• Creative Entrepreneurship: Handmade goods, online selling, branding, digital marketing
• Eco-Friendly Innovation: Composting, kitchen gardening, zero-waste product design
• Business & Life Skills: Financial literacy, time management, confidence-building, peer mentoring
• Youth Climate Leadership: Awareness campaigns, school eco-projects, sustainability exhibitions

These findings will directly shape the design of the upcoming EmpowerHer Labs curriculum, ensuring that the training is youth-driven and contextually grounded.

The Future: Turning Vision into Action

Following the success of the session, FGP and The Learning School are now working to implement the next phase of the initiative. This includes:

• Establishing a Tech & Vocational Empowerment Lab at TLS, equipped with laptops, sewing machines, gardening kits, and projectors
• Designing beginner-friendly training modules based on the TNA results
• Launching Livelihood Circles (TechShe, AgriShe, SkillHer) that cater to specific skill clusters
• Identifying peer mentors among the students and integrating reflective tools such as Digital Diaries
• Planning community exhibitions and eco-challenges that promote real-world engagement.

The Power of Listening, the Promise of Action

In a world saturated with top-down development models, this session stood out because it was rooted in listening. Not just passive listening, but active, respectful, and informed dialogue with girls who are often left out of conversations about technology, business, and sustainability. The students of The Learning School proved that they don’t just have dreams, they have roadmaps. They don’t just need help, they need platforms.

Through initiatives like EmpowerHer Labs, Freedom Gate Prosperity aims to provide that platform: one that amplifies voices, nurtures agency, and transforms education into a tool for liberation. Because when rural girls begin to speak, to learn, to lead—everyone’s future becomes brighter.

FGP extends its heartfelt thanks to Ms. Afia Salam for her invaluable presence and to the Principal of The Learning School for their unwavering support and partnership. Together, we move forward in our shared mission to unlock the potential of every girl through skills, knowledge, and the courage to lead.