The Maya Gold Foundation was privileged to bring youth advocate Charis Denison to New Paltz on November 4 and 5 for two evening talks. She shared her experiences and strategies for empowering youth to live with joy and honor at a Sunday talk for teens only. On Monday evening she presented to over sixty parents and community members on issues affecting youth today. Watch the full Monday evening community presentation by clicking the video still below.
Charis Denison shared tools and strategies to empower youth to live with "more joy and honor and less shame and regret". It was a deeply moving talk followed by a powerful discussion.
On November 11, the Maya Gold Foundation hosted Chet Kumari BK, a Nepali student and advocate. Over thirty five teens and adults attended and heard Chet's inspiring story of her life growing up in Nepal as a member of the Himalayan Children's Charities (HCC) family. Chet spoke of her life in a rural village, then in Kathmandu, up to her enrollment in college, and was joined by Sadie Green, Nepal Program Director for HCC, and Bruce Keenan, co-founder of HCC. The evening concluded with a Q and A session and a reception.
Click the video still below to watch the full presentation.
Chet Kumari BK shared her story of adversity and growth, made possible by the support of the staff at Himalayan Children's Charities. She told of the struggles of her youth, her education, and of her enormous "Hope for the Future."
After a rigorous application process including essays, interviews and reference checks, seventeen youth were selected to participate in the 2019 Heart of Gold Adventures trip to Nepal. The youth, all New Paltz High School students, will spend two weeks in Nepal this spring. The trip will include cross cultural activities with Nepali teens, visits to historical and religious sites, lectures, art and music classes, and a service component. Five teens who attended in 2018 will be returning, and will participate in a five day trek led by Maya Gold Foundation Board member and co-founder Elise Gold. The trek will bring the Youth Ambassadors to remote villages where Nepali children are most vulnerable. This is in support of our mission to empower youth and our stated goals to reduce trafficking in Nepal.
The teens will soon begin a series of five meetings with their chaperones prior to the trip. During these interactive sessions, the teens will learn about the culture and customs of Nepal, work on team building activities, and learn conscious communication skills.
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