SHILLONG, Dec 8: The Centre-sponsored project, Aspire Meghalaya, is set to begin its second year of implementation, albeit with few differences in view of the ongoing pandemic, with the programme being kicked off in four districts — East Garo Hills, West Garo Hills, West Khasi Hills and South West Khasi Hills — over the last two weeks, and will span across select districts of Meghalaya till the end of March 2021.
The project is implemented by Meghalaya-based Avenues, a pioneering life coaching social enterprise.
Owing to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the ensuing edition is deploying a blended approach of virtual and onsite programmes with strict hygiene and social distancing protocols put in place.
The modules covering themes like ‘Curiosity, Confidence, Wellbeing, Communication and Human Values’, are designed keeping in mind the youth aspirations of the state and the current restrictions for onsite sessions and the resources required for online and virtual training.
The curriculum’s key objective is to empower young tribal boys and girls with the confidence and clarity needed to create meaningful lives driven by values, self-motivation, passion, and a collective sense of purpose.
The network of campuses for conducting the programme is chosen based on their reach to students from all income groups, the availability of space to hold classes with adequate social distancing and the ability to hold the programme in the long term.
Over the last two weeks, Aspire Meghalaya 2020-21 has touched ground at Loyola College, Williamnagar in West Garo Hills, Khadsawphra College, Mairang in West Khasi Hills, Hynriew Shnong HS School and Jakrem Presbyterian HS School in Mawkyrwat, South West Khasi Hills, and Mount Dura Academy, Dakopgre, Tura, in West Garo Hills.
Till date, the Aspire Meghalaya project has over 1,000 registered students across four districts and is expected to impact over 4,000 tribal youth beneficiaries in this edition across select districts.
The programme experienced massive success in its first year of implementation, having impacted 5,229 youths across 21 campuses in eight districts, a statement issued here on Tuesday said.
“99.85 per cent of all participants had identified a clear set of values; 100 per cent of all participants had identified a personal strength; 88.76 per cent felt better placed to express their emotions; the number of students willing to participate actively in their classrooms improved by 300 per cent; 76.87 per cent had identified a major life goal; over 144 career aspirations were identified by participants across Meghalaya; 4,445 boys and girls had discovered a talent they could be proud of,” the statement informed.
East Garo Hills Deputy Commissioner Swapnil Tembe launched the inaugural programme under Aspire Meghalaya 2020-21 on December 2, at an inaugural function held at Loyola College, Williamnagar, where he said that at the heart of youth development programmes and interventions like Aspire Meghalaya is the mission to instil confidence in young people to chase their dreams.
Meghalaya Chief Minister, Conrad K. Sangma, believes in the collective power of youth action and active citizenship and is working towards institutionalising a radical youth policy that focuses on skills and passion for young people.
He believes that Aspire Meghalaya is a model of change that can be replicated across the country through the support of the Ministry of Tribal Affairs.
In his virtual address for this year’s edition, the chief minister said, “The modules impart soft skills needed to build meaningful lives and careers with passion and self-belief. I urge our students to take this wonderful opportunity during these difficult times to discover their strengths and prepare for the future”.