Hep: From Housekeeping to Assisting the Finance Team – I Can Do It All

Narrative by Vilasini Kumar.

Lapynshai Syiem joined Chillibreeze in 2009 and is an essential member of the administrative support team of Chillibreeze. She is better known by her nickname, Hep and is in–charge of the group that maintains the office. Hep and her team come to work way ahead of the others, to make sure that the rooms are spotless. Over the day, they ensure everyone gets a hot cup of tea and coffee.

Looking at Hep, one would not think she has so many years of work experience behind her!

Though Hep joined as a member of the HR and Admin team of Chillibreeze, she now has responsibilities in the Finance and Web divisions of Chillibreeze too. She files records, fills/prints invoices and other statutory forms for Finance.

Hep is part of a team that serves tea, coffee, and snacks to Chillibreeze staff.
At the same time, she is adept at uploading files for the web division.

Hep makes sure that the office and the environment are clean and hygienic.

At the same time, she helps the Finance team to file documents and print invoices.

How come Hep handles such diverse responsibilities?
What are her dreams for herself in Chillibreeze?
Why is her nickname ‘mother’?

Let us find out! Read her story as told to Vilasini Kumar

Circumstances made it necessary for me to look for a job

I am part of a large extended family, my siblings, parents, and grandparents—altogether 10 in the family. My mother is a housewife, and my father who works as a Forester in the Government of Meghalaya is the breadwinner of the family.

I found a life partner very early in life, while in High School. Our responsibilities increased with the arrival of a baby! Within a few months of having a baby, I found that we needed extra money to support ourselves. My husband was then working as a daily wager. Hence, I needed to look for a job too.

I did not have a degree or a professional qualification but was good at housekeeping–something I did with love and was looking for opportunities in that area. I came to know about Chillibreeze through my eldest sister Lanosha Syiemlieh who had worked there for a short period and wondered if I could find an opening there.

I was indeed lucky to find a job in the Guest House of Chillibreeze in April 2006, and that is when my association with Chillibreeze began. The founder Directors Ralph and Joanna Budleman stay at the Guest House for long periods of time, while setting up Chillibreeze and making it operational, and I had the pleasure of taking care of their household needs during that time.

Only later, in 2009, I formally joined Chillibreeze and started working in the office premises.

Chillibreeze helps me learn new skills

I joined as a member of the Housekeeping team at Chillibreeze and never dreamt that I would learn so many different skills.

Thanks to the learning environment provided by Chillibreeze and the encouragement given to me by my managers, I learned computer skills and improved my communication skills. As I had a natural talent for keeping accounts, I was given more responsibilities in that area too.

The spark in her to learn new skills and her genial nature helped us see her potential. We encouraged her to engage in other divisions of the company. Senior Executive of HR, Admin & IT.

Chillibreeze makes a big difference

It may sound clichéd, as many of my colleagues in Chillibreeze too have expressed the very same sentiments—Chillibreeze has made a big difference in my life. I have matured. I have learned to manage time better and become more disciplined. I use the values I learn in Chillibreeze to train my son!

I can spend judiciously and also save the family

Chillibreeze encourages the employees to plan their savings and spending. Thanks to this I am saving for my family’s future. What makes me happier is that I was able to purchase an Auto for my husband, Shaiborlang. Auto, as you may know, is a three-wheeled vehicle, used as a taxi. It was not a brand new vehicle, but a used one in good running condition. My husband was very thrilled when he knew about my plan to buy him an Auto!

Shaiborlang now runs the auto in the city of Shillong and earns his livelihood. The Auto comes in handy for us as a family vehicle too!

Me the ‘mother’

I have a deep sense of ‘ownership’ towards Chillibreeze as it has made such a difference to my family and me! I can say it is a coach/ parent to me–teaching, correcting, molding and nurturing.

In turn, I feel responsible for the well–being of the company, as a mother would about her house and family! I am stern with staff if they keep their workstation messy! I make sure that we are always stocked up with tea, coffee, paper tissues and so on! And, quite often people reach out to me when they need help. It is not a surprise ‘mother’ is my nickname in Chillibreeze. I feel happy to help!

By the way, I am a mother of two children–Johnathan and Eudia. When I get back from work, I spend time with them. The values I learned in Chillibreeze reflects on how I bring up, my children.

My dream

I dream of being promoted to a Sr. Office Assistant someday and coaching and training new members of the housekeeping team.

Who would have thought that someone like me, who did not complete high school due to family circumstance, could find a niche for myself in Chillibreeze? I am truly blessed.

I know that it is not just the qualification, but what you can do with passion, and do it well that counts in Chillibreeze.

Read more about Hep

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