US Embassy Youth Council and My Shattered Heart

I am the happiest when I share what I have understood with another human being and they get something of value.

Abhilasha Rayamajhi

In 2018, I got an opportunity to assist New York Times Bestselling author Carmen Renee Berry during her visit to Nepal with her team. I had offer letters from top ranking universities and was waiting for my scholarship results. Unfortunately, I did not get what I had expected. I did not get the scholarships and I felt devastated. I felt like it was the end of the world. I shared my feelings with Carmen, to which she said, “There will be several doors that will open for you, may be the door you chose was too small for you.”

                                            

I appreciated her concern but at that time I felt like nothing would make me feel better. All my hard work, the time I had spent writing essays, sending the documents and getting recommendation letters had gone in vain. I just had dreams, and those dreams shattered like a broken glass window which could never be repaired. I was nothing but a loser in my own eyes.

                                                                          Photo: tinybuddha.com 

                                                  

However, giving up could not be an option. I was already enrolled in a Master degree course in Nepal and applied for short term programs abroad. But that phase was excruciating.

I had the dream to be in top ranking university in the world and here I was in one of the government college in Nepal.

This was the time when I stumbled upon US Embassy Youth Council’s (USYC) application form. Somehow, I fixed my broken heart and picked up the courage to write essays for USYC.

Later I came to know that I along with 55 other youths were selected from a pool of 1,855 plus applicants who had applied for the program. I felt a bit happy.

                                                                Courtesy of US Embassy Nepal

Why USYC?

USYC is a network of youth under the age of 27 from all regions of Nepal and representing diverse backgrounds. The council was created by the Embassy of the United States of America to Nepal. The Ambassador’s Youth Advisory Council was initiated in 2011 by former US Ambassador to Nepal, HE Scott H DeLisi.

Every year around 55 youth are selected and they engage in a yearlong Civic Engagement Project (CEP).

I got an opportunity to participate in orientation and various workshop and events organized by the US Embassy in partnership with We Inspire Nepal (WIN). We were branded as “exceptional youth of Nepal”.

I was looking for a platform where I could explore my leadership and communication skills and also contribute to my country. I strived to find a place for me in a world which at that point of time felt hostile to me.

Amazing and inspiring people

I started communicating like-minded people as well as those who possessed the skill set I lacked. I aimed to work on a project that was directly linked to my experiences and interest. I understood that I would not be able to contribute much in an idea that was not related to my works. I had the experience of working in media for around five years and was training students and professionals on writing and presentation skills for two years. I wanted to create a project that would bring my experience in newsrooms and classrooms together and build a team that had common goals. Through my skills I aspired to impact and empower a community. We named our project, “Connecting Classrooms and Newsrooms”.

Thankfully, I found a team that helped me shape this vision and a mentor who would gave timely and 
much needed suggestions. Our project involved media literacy training and shedding light to Vital Registration to secondary school students.

I had an instant connection with Karuna Devkota who is interested in investigative journalism and is the 
founder of youth organization in Chitwan. Her proficiency in the Nepali language and translation skills were quite beneficial to the team. Kripa Shrestha who is LGCDP focal person at Lalitpur Metropolitan City Office, works with the local government, her knowledge and skills on financial reporting created a value for our team. Naveen Dahal’s expertise in graphic designing skills and connections were a boon for our project. Basanta Shah was one of the most helpful member of the team who was always there at the time of need. Aashiyana Adhikari’s experience in organizing workshops and her background in social sector came handy for the project. Even though Stella Mainali was not in the core team her morale support is worth mentioning here.

                              The team: From left: Naveen, Kripa, me, Basanta, Karuna and Aashiyana 
                              Behind the camera: Manoj Bohara

                                            

I am also very grateful to Barsha Shah, who recommended Uma Kanta Khanal, Senior Journalist as the facilitator for the workshop. His session was quite beneficial for the students.

Prerana Marasini, Information Specialist at the US Embassy in Nepal was assigned as our mentor. She guided us at each and every step so that we could attain our project objective and gave that extra push 
whenever it was required. The support from the Embassy and implementing partner WIN is appreciable. After all, they are the people who worked so hard behind the scene to make the yearlong project possible.  

Besides, all the youth whom I met and networked with are amazing and most of them have inspired me in some way.   

Connecting Classrooms and Newsrooms

After months of planning, designing, brainstorming and discussing we were able to conduct workshop on Media literacy at Jhapa. A month back we surveyed 120 students regarding the understanding of media focusing on fake news and disinformation in a public and private school in Haldibari, Jhapa. This led us to design our very first workshop for 36 students. 

Almost at the end of the workshop a participant came to us and asked, “How were you selected out of 1,855 participants who applied for USYC? How do you speak so confidently and fluently?” I was 
speechless. Through this project I could connect to young people and help them understand how media works and encourage them in some way. Furthermore, this project is helping me understand how I am as a person, what are the things that I value, how do I work in a team and most importantly about my leadership qualities. The best part of being USYC member is the network we have built and the friendships we have formed. The support and love I received from the friends I made here cannot be described in words.

I am the happiest when I share what I have understood with another human being and they get something of value.

After the second phase of the project, I feel accomplished. I don’t feel like a loser anymore. I have collected the broken pieces of my heart and created beautiful art.

I am sure in the journey of life, many of us feel like the way I did. So, for this piece is for you, the unstoppable soul who chose to carry on even after going through devastation and never give up.

                                          Photo: Hiveminer.com