Self-empowerment with Dove Empowerment Workshop - the best event I have attended so far

I never knew that Dove is always committed to inspiring all women and girls to reach their full potential. Yes, Dove, the body care and hair care brand that is familiar in pharmacies and departmental stores. Dove supports partnerships with after-school programs, self-esteem building events and educational resources. Dove also supports a partnership with Alliance for Women in Media. Around the world, Dove has organised a number of Self-Esteem Project inviting all women to create a world where beauty is a source of confidence, not anxiety. There were also workshops designed for girls, the Dove Self-Esteem Workshop for girls, to empower girls and promote new ways of thinking about beauty, body image and self-esteem with positive self-esteem building discussions and activities. Do you know that, each time you buy Dove, you help Dove and their charitable partners to provide inspiring self-esteem programming for girls?

Back here in Malaysia, Dove has set up the Dove Empowerment Fund, where via this fund and collaborations with various women organizations, Dove helps under-privileged women towards a better and more meaningful life. Recently, Dove has also organised the Dove Empowerment Workshop, where 100 selected women were brought to a series of self-esteem and empowerment exercises. And I was selected as among the 100 lucky women :)

Actually, this workshop invitation came to me by chance. I was merely sharing my concern on my hair fall problem via this Dove FB App. I have never expected that I would be chosen, but now I was so glad that I was and has attended the workshop, because it's the best event ever that I have attended thus far!! This workshop has really taught me a lot of life lessons!!

The workshop was held on 9 November 2013, at Impiana KLCC Hotel & Spa. As each participant was allowed to bring along a friend, I invited my dear Sis along...

We were each given a Dove-shaped styrofoam to write out our aspiration...check out what I have written :P

The workshop was emceed by Azah, an ex-host of the 3R program on TV3. We were first given the welcoming remarks and introduction about the empowerment program by Ashley Ng, the Brand Building Director of Unilever Malaysia. 

From left to right: Azah (ex-host of 3R), Yvonne (3R host), Ashlee Ng (Brand Building Director of Unilever Malaysia), Dayah (3R host), Heng Hui Ling (Brand Manager for Dove Hair Unilever Malaysia), Hasreena Rashid and Athiya Hamid (Dove girls), Amirah (3R host), Celina Khor (ex-host of 3R)

source: Dove Malaysia FB

One of the activity that I appreciated much was the Self-confidence and Body Image Session conducted by Celina Khor. We were taught on the art of mind matter, the art of physical projection, the art of communication and how we should love ourselves, know our own strengths. Life is not about finding yourself, life is about creating yourself...

 source: 3R Malaysia FB

Admiring her session so much, I took the opportunity to take picture with Celina... :D

And of course, group pictures with my table mates.... :P

After lunch, we were treated with pampering session...the pampering session consisted of 3 Breakout Sessions: True Wellness, True Beauty and True Relaxation.

• True Wellness is about the importance of overall wellness by breathing correctly, maintaining good posture and simple stretching exercise.
• True Beauty is about how we carry our image in clothing, makeup and hair care.
• True Relaxation is about the importance of self-relaxation and we were taught on how we can self-massage our neck and shoulder. We were also treated a massage by the professionals :D

My sister with the True Wellness trainers...

Me after made-up by the True Beauty trainer ^^

Participant were treated with shoulder massage in True Relaxation

source: Dove Malaysia FB

After the breakout sessions, it was a sharing session from inspirational women of Malaysia. There were 3 invited celebrities, Ning Baizura, Sharifah Shahirah, and Sharifah Aleya sharing about their experiences and ups and downs as celebrities in Malaysia. Earlier, Ellynita Lamin, a social entrepreneur, shared about her experience as a volunteer at Acheh after the tsunami in 2004. It was really fascinating listening to her adventure in Acheh.

From left to right: Azah, Ning Baizura, Sharifah Shahirah, Sharifah Aleya

source: Dove Malaysia FB

From left to right: Azah, Heng Hui Ling, Ashlee Ng, Ning Baizura, Ellynita Lamin (social entrepreneur), Sharifah Aleya, Sharifah Shahirah.

source: Dove Malaysia FB

At the end of the workshop, we took a group picture showcasing the Dove styrofoam all written with our own aspirations :D Can you spot me? :P

Group picture 

source: Dove Malaysia FB

Each participant were given a goodie bag, which consists of Dove products and a pair of Dove keychains...

It was truly and enjoyable event, and the best event I have attended so far. I learnt a lot from this workshop, and picked up a lot essential knowledge and skills through the holistic sessions on healthy living for the body and mind. I hope Dove will organize such events again, and that more other organisations to come out with such a powerful workshop to empower people.

As one person I cannot change the world, but I can change the world of one person. 

- Paul Shane Spear