ALKHOBAR, 13 January 2007 — Najmus Sahar has said good-bye to the heart palpitations and anxiety he used to experience when he spoke before an audience, thanks to a series of workshops that ended recently in Alkhobar.
The program sponsored by the Sahara Toastmasters Youth Leadership Program aimed at teaching a group of 30 youngsters how to get rid of the stage jitters associated with public speaking.
“The journey through the multiple workshops led me to a destination where all the parameters have changed: No more palpitations or consternation, a goodbye to my apprehension,” said Sahar. “I stood visibly more confident and at ease.”
Toastmaster Faisal Al-Zahrani, the chief guest at the program, said that the participants have learned valuable skills that will help them get ahead in life. “Learning at this tender age is like engraving on a stone — it lasts forever,” he said.
The program involved two weeks of intensive training and workshops in speechwriting, body language, intonation, grammar and other tools necessary to be a top-notch toastmaster.
Najmus Sahar bagged the first prize in the Prepared Speech competition while Aftab Ahmad won second prize and Sana Merchant won third place. Nida Majid won first prize on Table Topics while Muneeba Rizvi and Deepti bagged the second and the third prizes. Muneeba Rizvi also won a special prize for being the youngest participant.
The mother of Aiman and Muneeba, two young ladies participating in the workshops, said the program was able to teach skills she was unable to provide as a mother.
“Aiman has discovered herself in her true colors,” said Sabiha, who didn’t want to give her full name. “She was hibernating in a shell. But after two weeks of training, she’s broken out. And since she has done it herself, she is a lot more at ease. In spite of being young, a fifth grader, Muneeba has learned what it means to compete at a very tender age.”
“My stomach was queasy, palms sweaty, and I was struggling to remember my opening lines,” said Aiman, describing how she felt when she gave her talk. “How would I perform when introduced and the hall goes quiet? Will I be doomed to presentation panic or paralysis, or will I overcome that debilitating nervousness and deliver a speech that would be applauded?”
Aiman said that despite these doubts she pulled through without a hitch, and she expressed gratitude for the opportunity to learn how to be confident and fearless in front of an audience.
“To speak impromptu was a novel experience for all of us,” said Majid. “We were given a topic and we had to start speaking within a few seconds. Our minds have to work fast and then have the courage of tongue to speak our minds. It was scary because so many people were focusing their attention on me.”
“It was a challenging and daunting task,” said Faridunnisa Khan, who organized the workshops. “But the young boys and girls took up the challenge like adults and conquered their stage fright with ease. We feel satisfied that Sahara Toastmasters has given society with some very promising and gifted speakers.”
Abdul Najeeb and Khushroo Mehta helped to coordinate and manage the program.
