Eastern Himalayan Foundation

With the generous support of the Azim Premji Foundation, the Eastern Himalayan Foundation (EHF) is making remarkable strides in improving access to hi Read moregher education and diverse career opportunities for youth in the remote mountainous regions of Darjeeling and Kalimpong. At its core, the 10-month-long Trailblazer Fellowship program is designed to nurture personal growth, foster diverse learning experiences, and, most importantly, empower young individuals to become community leaders. The program achieves this through a multifaceted approach, combining esidential training, online classes, and mentorship, all centered around project-based learning that hones crucial 21st-century skills such as communication, critical thinking, collaboration, and digital competency. In addition to academic and professional development, the Trailblazer Fellowship places a strong emphasis on personal growth. Participants are guided to develop resilience and a growth mindset through social and emotional learning. Moreover, the program encourages active engagement with pressing social issues, both within educational institutions and the broader community. Complementing the Trailblazer Fellowship is the EmpowerEd program, which aims to make higher education and previously unattainable career paths accessible to a larger student population. The initiative provides invaluable support, including career guidance sessions, assistance with admissions, mock tests, and interview preparations. Furthermore, it offers access to valuable scholarship information. Distinguished mentors from various professional backgrounds provide students with immersive experiences, deepening and broadening their understanding of a wide range of professions. Together, the Trailblazer Fellowship and EmpowerEd programs are not just empowering youth but also fostering a brighter future for remote mountainous communities by unlocking previously untapped opportunities in higher education and diverse career paths How we will measure success: Admission/Placement of students to higher education institutions and jobs Case studies of Fellow’s growth/initiatives/overcoming challenges Success of projects undertaken Number of people supported Benefit/Support to any institution Visibility of an issue relevant to the youth/hills.