International Youth Day: Stories of Inspiration from Smile Foundation

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International Youth Day: Stories of Inspiration from Smile Foundation

International Youth Day is observed on August 12 every year. It is a day that has been demarcated by the United Nations to recognise and focus on the problems that youth face. The idea of International Youth Day was first floated in 1991 at the Vienna session of the World Youth Forum. It was recommended in 1998 at the World Conference of Ministers Responsible for Youth in Lisbon. It was first celebrated in 1999.

 

One of our core values at Smile Foundation has been to empower the youth of today so that they can become successful, independent leaders tomorrow. We believe in celebrating youth every single day of the year.

 

The STeP Programme and International Youth Day

 

India is among the youngest nations in the world. We produce a large number of graduates each year. Unfortunately, rampant unemployment is a huge problem for India. This is due to a variety of reasons, including lack of jobs and job creation as well as under-skilled job seekers.

 

Through our STeP initiative (Smile Twin e-Learning Programme) launched in 2007, Smile Foundation aims at creating a pool of young and independent youth between the ages of 18 and 24. Most of these young people have passed their class 10th and 12th examinations, or have finished their graduation. These job seekers belong to the marginalized sections. Through skill enhancement in tandem with market requirements, the programme seeks to bridge the gap between demand and supply of skilled manpower in the fast emerging sectors of India.

 

To commemorate International Youth Day, we would like to share some of our most endearing success stories. These young individuals are sources of inspiration to thousands like them.

 

Ramesh Awasthi – Student of STeP in 2015

 

Twenty-three-year-old Ramesh came to India from Nepal in 2015 in the hopes of a better and brighter future. Soon after he arrived, he enrolled at a STeP centre to undergo skill training. ‘I learnt a lot of things at the STeP centre—personality development, e-mail writing, English speaking, basic computers. After completion of the training, I got my first job as a data entry operator for a salary of Rs 7,000,’ he shares.

 

Since then, Ramesh has never looked back. He moved on to a better job with a higher salary as an Assistant Manager at a reputed restaurant. The confidence that the STeP training instilled in him has enabled him to dream of a better future for himself. Through his hard work, he is building a better life for himself, step by step. Currently, Ramesh works as an accountant at a private firm. ‘I am working in the night shift now because I am also planning to start my own business,’ says the budding entrepreneur.’

 

The young man shares that back in 2015, he did not even have Rs 10 to take a rickshaw ride. Now, he is the proud owner of a motorcycle that he bought for himself through his own hard-earned money.

 

 

Vinay M. – STeP Student from 2015-16 batch

 

Vinay’s story tells how an unemployed youth can be gainfully employed with the right training and guidance. Before he joined a STeP centre in Bengaluru in 2015, Vinay had a hard time finding a job. As part of his training, Vinay learned basic computers, soft skills, and English.

 

 

‘I got a job as an executive at a private company soon after completing my course. My salary that time was Rs 8000. After gaining a year of experience, I got a job as an accountant at a salary of Rs. 15,000,’ Vinay shares.

 

He is thankful to Smile Foundation and STeP for helping him gain the necessary skills he needed to gain employment.

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