Four months back, in February 2026, our team from across the country gathered in Pune for six days of team capacity building, learning, recreation, reflection and simply… being together beyond work calls and screens. It was my first time attending something this thoughtfully planned at such a scale. I had heard all kinds of things from different people before leaving about how these six days would be, what to expect, and how tiring or exciting it might feel, but I consciously chose to go with an open heart, no judgement and only excitement. And honestly, I came back fuller; fuller in thought, learning, gratitude and connection!!
The seniors called this retreat PRISM and, somewhere, it truly stood by its name. We all arrived carrying different things within us- be it doubts, confusion, questions, fatigue, lack of clarity in some areas or excitement in others, but slowly, over six days, I saw people opening up, shining brighter and becoming more visible in the most beautiful ways… almost like a beam of white light dispersing into vibrant colours after passing through a prism.
What touched me deeply was not just the sessions or the structure, but the intention behind it all. You could clearly see how much effort, money, time, emotional labour and planning had gone into making these six days meaningful for every single person present there. From the stay arrangements to travel, from field visits to meal spaces, from sessions to the recreation evening, everything carried thoughtfulness. The admin team, HR, Maharashtra team, vertical heads, Program Design & Development team and senior leadership had truly poured themselves into this experience for all of us, and it really showed.
In today’s fast-paced work culture, where people are often only chasing outputs and deadlines, watching an organization intentionally invest so much into the growth, comfort and emotional well-being of its people felt rare and special to me!
From travelling together on Day 1 to reaching the Ramnagar community and meeting so many colleagues for the first time, I was already overwhelmed in the best possible way. Everything was so systematically designed- who would facilitate what, who would document, how groups would move and how reflections would happen. And for someone like me, who notices planning and effort deeply, it genuinely felt like an “Aha Moment” kind of experience.
The next part of the day stayed with me for a long time. We met Village-Level Child Protection Committee members and Bal Panchayat members, and the sincerity of Miracle Foundation India’s work in the community reflected so strongly in the confidence of those children. The hard work that the team had put into this community was evident in the words of each Bal Panchayat member. From being unaware and at the mercy of others, to being so enabled as to lead entire campaigns in their community, those children spoke volumes about the good and sincere work being done. We were divided into groups and interacted closely with families to understand both the work already done and the possibilities ahead. It was a long day, but a deeply meaningful one.
The following two days were packed with learning, deep dives and conversations. What stood out to me was that the sessions were not casually put together. You could see the preparation behind them, the rehearsals, the structuring, the thought. But beyond the sessions too, what stayed with me was how invested people were in the work they do. Participation did not feel forced. It came from genuine ownership.
Our team of three got the opportunity to lead the youth deep-dive sessions, and we absolutely loved designing and facilitating them. And I don’t think I will forget kicking off a serious youth session with a chicken dance! Uff… everyone looked adorable doing it. Those small moments of laughter between intense discussions made everything lighter and more human.
The next two days brought another layer of learning altogether. From understanding how to build and deliver our stories effectively, to creatively using data for larger impact and outreach, every session felt timely and relevant. There was clarity, direction and a larger sense of purpose slowly taking shape.
And then came the recreation evening. What an evening that was!!
All of us dressed in our cultural outfits, singing, dancing, reciting poems, playing games and simply celebrating each other. But beyond the performances, what moved me most was the atmosphere in that room. There was respect, warmth and fun without hierarchy. I have attended cultural evenings in previous workplaces too but this one felt different. People were not trying to impress each other; they were simply being themselves. The energy felt safe, accepting and joyful, and it spoke a lot about the workplace.
The second-last day surprised me again. A team of professionals came in for leadership and capacity-building exercises, and those sessions were emotionally and mentally intense in the best possible way. The activities exhausted us, challenged us and pushed us inward. They opened many thinking horizons and made us introspect deeply. At one point, I even thought that had these sessions happened on Day 1, perhaps we would have approached all the remaining days with even greater openness and efficiency. But maybe the timing had its own significance.
And then came my favourite part- the gratitude and appreciation activity. We were asked to appreciate at least four people and return the next morning with our reflections. People appreciated each other so openly, so honestly and so wholeheartedly through tea breaks, walks, dinner tables, random corridor conversations and heartfelt hugs. Appreciation kept flowing till the next morning!!! I, too, thanked many people, appreciated many more and received a lot of love too. But most importantly, I genuinely wanted to thank the people who had visualized PRISM in the first place because, to me, creating such a space is not easy. Bringing together people from across the country, ensuring comfort, learning, recreation, emotional safety and meaningful connection all at once takes immense effort and true intention. And this stood out for me, totally!!
Like they named it, the organization truly became a PRISM for all of us, helping bring out brighter, stronger and more colourful versions of ourselves, while also helping us build some beautiful heart-to-heart connections that will stay with us far beyond work.
Author: Sumeena Sawhney, Manager, Government Partnerships & Strategic Alliances, Miracle Foundation India.
The views expressed in the article are the author’s and do not necessarily reflect those of Miracle Foundation India.