Storytelling is one of the most powerful ways to influence, teach, and inspire. It forges connections among people, and between people and  ideas. When it comes to our values, our communities, and our institutions, we  understand intuitively that the stories we hold in common are an integral part of the ties  that bind us. 

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This understanding also holds true in the development world, where real stories, shared  by diverse groups of survivors, help solidify empathy in a way that factual statements  encapsulated in bullet points or numbers fail to. 

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Swayong stories strive to create a sense of connection. They build familiarity and trust,  and allow outsiders to enter the story, making them more open to learning. And stories  are more engaging than a dry recitation of data points or a discussion of abstract ideas.