After School: A youth empowerment prog for teens, by teens

Morung Express News
Kohima | July 28

In a ground-breaking initiative, “After School, a youth empowerment programme for teens, by teens” was held today at the D Khel Indoor Stadium, Seikhazou featuring six “Teen Triumphs” stories of Sochumlo Suki Ezung in Literature, Kevidi Linyü in Sports, Adora Kikon in Social Service, Nuve Tetseo in Entrepreneurship and Zaiyigum Zeliang, Stem.

After School was founded by Asewe Letro with the prime objective of teen empowerment, to encourage young people and give them the confidence to take charge of their lives and pursue their passions, thereby bringing positive outcomes and becoming contributing members of the society.

Speaking on the occasion, Asewe Letro highlighted that, “After school is usually the time when teenagers have the freedom to spend their resources, time, energy and money in their choice of activities.” With after school being the time when they explore and discover their passions, he said, “The programme aims to encourage the teenagers to pursue such passions and to do something more than just school.”

Alleviating unemployment in the community is one of the main targets of the After School project. The After School Programme was held with the objective of addressing this issue among others. It featured inspirational stories of teenagers, who are thriving in different creative art forms, and performances. Further, it aims to provide opportunities by partnering with local organisations, businesses, etc that may offer internships, leadership roles, skill development programmes, registrations for future opportunities, etc.

Writing as a tool
Sochumlo Suki Ezung, who started writing at the age of 7 and published at the age of 10, recalled how she began by writing “songs and letters to God” in a notebook gifted by her mom. While she enjoyed writing, she noted that there were times when she was not excited to write. “There were moments of procrastination, and challenges of digitalization, times I neglected my writing, which are the dark ages of my writing journey,” she said.

However, the teenager motivated the gathering of young teenagers by saying that “words are extremely powerful.” She said, “What we are exposed to can really influence us,” while adding, “Writing is a form of tool that you can create with your own hands, and it allows you to explore your own thoughts.”

She cited reasons why they should write as a teenager, and advised them to keep a journal to write their thoughts when they are sad, feeling angry or frustrated while pointing out that “life as a teenager can be very overwhelming.” Writing, she said, can help relief you from that kind of stress and also build their confidence.

Asserting that every time one writes, they are expressing their inner thoughts, she went on to say that, “Creative thinking is very valuable” regardless of what they choose to do. “Write regularly. Make writing a habit. Start with a journal. The more you practice the better you become. Read widely as writing and reading are interconnected. It will help you find your own unique voice. More importantly, write for yourself and not to impress others. Remember that writing is a personal journey,” she put across.

Hone and make use
Kevidi Linyü, who joined gym, at the age of 12 as a result of being bullied, shared his inspirational journey— in his words, from being that “one fat kid who was bullied to someone speaking in front of you.” 

Stating that he initially joined the gym because he wanted to lose weight, he however admitted to to falling in love with “strongman sport.” “I got discouraged a lot when I first competed,” he stated while recalling how in his first competition, he came fourth among 4 competitors. “There were times I thought I would never be as good as the others”, he said. However, his sheer grit and determination has brought him far, competing both in the state and national levels in strongman competitions.

To the teenagers, he exhorted, “God gives us talents in many different ways but it is our job as humans to hone and make the best use of it.”

‘My generation, my responsibility’
Adora Kikon, who is fuelled with a desire to see real change in the place she calls home, started an initiative under the name, “Books for a cause.” It took the shape of a mini library for underprivileged children, reaching out to 292 primary students last year. Talking about this initiative, she said, “it represented a collective effort” as the books were procured through a book donation drive.

Underscoring that books have the power to change lives, she motivated the teenagers to take their passion and use it to give back. At first, she said that what she initiated seemed like a daunting task wherein she also asked herself, “How can I, as a teenager, make a change?”

“It came from my heart to build for my generation”, she said, while asserting that one need not be old enough to start working for the community. “Enrich your own life by making a difference in the lives of others. You have the power to change and change will always come by taking a responsibility,” she emphasised.

“My generation, my responsibility”, she said, while adding, “Think about how you can contribute to your society. Our generation must rely on ourselves to bring the change we want to see and the change we all long to see in Nagaland.”

Never too early 
13-year-old Nuve Tetseo shared his incredible journey of making baskets, which he first started making at the age of 9 as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Within a span of four years, he sold over 1000 baskets, accumulating 5 lakhs in revenue. With the money he earned, he said, he has been able to buy his own computer set and a bicycle among other things, besides being able to pay his own school fees and helping his parents as well. Currently studying in Class-8, he continues to weave baskets during his free time. “My little business has even enabled me to save some money for the future,” he said.

In sharing his story, he encouraged the gathering to engage in useful things while pointing out that in a world dominated by technology, they have access to countless resources. “Pick up a skill or craft, master it and do something valuable,” he said.

The programme also featured 11 year-old computer coder, Zayigum Zeliang. Currently in Grade-6 at the Delhi Public School, Zayigum, through a video message, said, “No matter how old you are, you can change lives.” He started coding at the age of 7, co-founding Zeliang Codetech alongwith his father.  Credited with developing the prototype of the ‘Give the Needy’ app, he is also pursuing a Post Graduate UI UX Certification Course at Intellipaat with mentors from IIT Roorkee and IIT Guwahati.

In the second session titled “Bold Beginnings”, a workshop on building self-efficacy and goal setting was conducted by Razouvikhol Luho, Nodal Officer & Senior Manager, YouthNet, while the third session comprised of “Unwind and Empower”.