With over a decade of medical experience as a qualified BLS paramedic, Raksha Behari is ready to extend and share her experiences and lifesaving knowledge within a classroom environment as a facilitator in First Aid Level 1, Level 2 and Level 3.
“It has always been a dream to one day open the doors to my own classroom and teach First Aid to all,” said Behari, who is finally living her best life, but of course all dreams come with challenges.
Being a woman in a male-dominated field is no walk in the park and finding a piece of sunlight in an ever-changing teaching environment of basic skills such as First Aid has its own battles.
This is Behari’s first business venture and she said that it was her sure determination and ability to keep her head down and work that allowed her this once in a lifetime opportunity. “And trust me, I’m not going to lose this opportunity,” she said.
Behari told The Ladysmith Herald that it took her close to six years to reach this stage of her goal.
“Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, it was extremely difficult to get the paperwork, qualifications and study work done, but I took one day at time and waited for the levels of lockdown to ease up.”
Behari is accredited with the Quality Council for Trade and Occupations (QCTO) and after receiving her accreditation number, she was able to start working on her dream and opened her business, Shaira Emergency Training Institution, at the end of June.
“It was literally blood, sweat and tears; did I mention loads of tears?”
Behari said that while she is working as a paramedic, she is still improving on her first-love career. “Being a paramedic and at the top of my game is important to me, saving lives and being able to assist in emergency incidents has and will always be a great passion,” she said.
Behari aims to start a legacy of which she, her future family and close friends can be proud. “People nowadays need First Aid for almost everything and many job-seekers are requested to have First Aid training.”
Behari believes that by sharing her knowledge and experiences, she can assist people not only to empower themselves but to also have the correct knowledge to perhaps one day save a life.
As the country commemorates Women’s Month in August, Behari’s advice to women is that it does not matter what you want from life, as long as you are willing to work for it.
She added: “Know your passion and work despite the challenges. Believe in yourself and have faith because you will reach your destination.”
