In a large extended-family home, where children and grandchildren lived together under one roof, Om Sherif was surrounded by the family she loved deeply. She saw herself as the heart of the household, caring for everyone in her own way and believing that her role was to protect and constantly defend her grandchildren. Over time, tension began to grow inside the home. Om Sherif often showed strong favoritism toward her grandchildren, while unintentionally being harsh with her daughters-in-law. This created ongoing strain and imbalance within the household. Relationships became filled with tension and emotional distance, and the atmosphere lacked understanding and harmony.

When Om Sherif began attending the Transformational Community Development (TCD) meetings, she was introduced to social, psychological, and health lessons that opened her eyes to new perspectives. She learned the importance of fairness and avoiding bias, the value of respecting others’ feelings, and realized that her role as a mother and mother-in-law was to build peace, not fuel conflict. She also learned how to listen carefully before making judgments. Gradually, the change became clear in her daily life. She began treating her daughters-in-law with love and respect, reduced her interference in the details of their lives, and learned to balance her love for her grandchildren with fairness toward the adults. As a result, the home became calmer, and understanding and harmony began to grow among family members.

Om Sherif’s story proves that change is possible at any time and that real learning is not just information—it is a way of life practiced every day. Any home can be transformed from a place of tension into a place of peace when there is awareness and a willingness to change.

Thank you,

Written by Mariam, GHNI TCD Worker