EQUIP

We equip youth to be transformational leaders in their communities. At the Leadership Institute, they receive quality education, technical skills, and training in developing communicative and social skills with empathy to become an agent of Hope in their communities.

The impact of this is immense. A recent graduate of the Leadership Institute, Sagar, took one of our directors to his community on foot. Sagar is from the foothills of the Himalayas, a remote region in the North of India. Sagar shared his story as they walked along the stone and mud-paved pathways.

 “These are the pathways where I once wandered with no hope. I was a burden to my family; neighbours walked away when they saw me. For them, I was an alcoholic who would engage in street fights. Although I thought I was somebody, loneliness and hopelessness started to creep in. I thought of ending my life while walking on these streets many times. In this very spot, I saw a man walk toward me, look at me with compassion, and tell me, “You are valuable.” Valuable to whom? I asked. On this street that day, I understood that I am valuable, that I matter, and that I can make a difference, regardless of what I have done. That man showed me that I was worth more than I realised, and he was compassionate enough to counsel me. Now, I live life to the fullest.”

As they walked, people joined them from neighbourhood homes and the streets behind Sagar as they walked, welcoming him and our director. Lives touched by a once-broken soul, healed through compassion and determination to lead better lives for themselves and their families, the faces of those who joined them radiated with hope.

Hope is superseding challenges. It is superseding poverty, destitution, illiteracy, and so much more.

With hope in his heart, Sagar attended the Leadership Institute. He graduated from high school through the NIOS program, underwent skill set classes, and completed our leadership development program. After completing his field experience, he returned to his community, where he coordinates school classes, empowerment programs, and health camps for women, youth, and children in his village.

Young leaders take ownership of the vision to transform their lives and impact others. A life transformed ripples out to transform other lives, and those lives extend their hands to touch others. One community reaches out to help another. While challenges are a part of living, hope and compassion compel us forward.