Hi! I'm Farzana Tamboli from a small village in Pune, Maharashtra. I'm a passionate social development professional with over 15 years of experience in quality education, child rights, health, livelihood, and capacity building. I've worked across India, leading impactful projects with different organizations.
Education changed my life, and I now work to extend that change to others especially underserved communities. I believe in "learning while doing" and love to explore new ideas, cultures, and places. I'm an advocate of experiential learning, and I bring that approach to my work and travels.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

I believe that real cultural exchange happens when we share stories, meals, and moments with people from different walks of life. I'm here to meet kindred spirits, hear about your world, and share mine. Whether you're a fellow traveler or just curious about social impact work in India, I'd love to connect.

Interests

Travel: Exploring cultures, especially rural life

Education: Child development, innovative learning methods

Social Innovation: Empowering communities through entrepreneurship

Nature & Hiking: Love the peace and lessons of the outdoors

Reading & Blogging: I write at sapnowali.blogspot.com

Volunteering: Regularly organize career guidance and skill-building sessions

• learning languages
• trekking and camping
• reading and writing
• travelling and meeting new people

Music, Movies, and Books

🎵 : I enjoy soulful and meaningful songs—Marathi folk, Bollywood classics, and sometimes instrumental music when I need to reflect or write. I also like world music that carries cultural stories.

📚 : I love books that spark reflection and inspire change. Some favorites include "I Have a Dream" by Rashmi Bansal, "The Alchemist" by Paulo Coelho, and anything on social entrepreneurship, education, or real-life stories of resilience.

🎬 : I’m drawn to films that are emotionally rich or socially relevant. Favorites include Taare Zameen Par, Swades, The Pursuit of Happyness, and inspiring documentaries about change-makers around the world.

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

I once introduced "Theatre in Education" in tribal orphanages where children were too shy to speak up or participate. Within a year, over 300 children were confidently expressing themselves on stage, sharing their thoughts and performing skits. Watching those same children who once felt invisible shine with pride and voice their stories was deeply moving. It reminded me that with the right support, even the quietest voices can inspire transformation.

Teach, Learn, Share

Teach: I can help you unlock your purpose whether it's picking a career, starting a social project, or just figuring out your next step. I’ve done a lot of work in education, mental health, and youth development, so if you're curious about social impact in India, we’ll have tons to talk about. I can also teach basic Indian cooking (chai included!), share storytelling tips, or show you how to use theatre to build confidence yes, even if you're shy!

Learn: I love learning how people live, think, and laugh around the world. Teach me a game from your country, your favorite street food recipe, or just a phrase in your language. I'm also into anything about cultures, sustainable travel, and creative ways people build community.

Share: Good conversations over chai, long walks, community stories, and laughter that makes your cheeks hurt. I have lots of stories from village life to working with governments, from slums in Ahmedabad to conferences across borders. And I’m always up for hearing yours!

What I Can Share with Hosts

Stories from working with tribal and underserved communities

Tips on grassroots social innovation and education in India

Guidance for aspiring changemakers and travelers in India

Homemade Indian meals and local traditions

Countries I’ve Visited

Kenya, Morocco, Portugal

Countries I’ve Lived In

India, United Kingdom