Ismail Hossain and Kelly Zheng, two students from the CNMI and youth delegates of 4-H Marianas, concluded their “One Marianas” project, with Hossain attending the True Leaders in Equity Institute (TLEI) conference in Bethesda, Maryland alongside 4-H Marianas Board Member and TLEI Co-Advisor Chelsea Yangirelfil. The conference prepares delegations to become change agents within the Cooperative Extension System to create a more welcoming and inclusive environment for youth with disabilities.
Hossain and Zheng created the “One Marianas” project, a year-long project with the goal of building an inclusive environment for youth with disabilities in the CNMI. The two youth delegates identified an equity issue in their community, formulated a project framework for the following year, and created a 90-day action plan to implement when they return to the CNMI. The “One Marianas” project was created in collaboration with organizations such as Team Koka Foundation Tinian, the University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities (UCEDD), and the CNMI Public School System (PSS) Media Team, where they created videos to educate and bring awareness to their community. By the end of the year, Hossain and Zheng were able to publish two videos on Instagram and conduct a survey where they found that many youth with disabilities had a desire to feel included in their community, and parents of youth with disabilities felt that their child did not feel included in their community.
“Overall I felt that this project gave me a better understanding of what still can be done to build a better community. 4-H TLEI is all about challenging youth throughout the nation to inspire change within their community. This year-long project was without a doubt a great experience. I was able to learn more about myself and use the skills that I currently hold for a greater cause. I highly recommend that youth within our CNMI take this opportunity to experience what TLEI is all about, represent our islands at a National Level, and also inspire change within our Commonwealth,” shared Hossain.
One of the two videos released by Hossain and Zheng highlighted various community members sharing their unique perspectives on the challenges faced by youth with disabilities, while the other showcased disability awareness advocate Monika Diaz, detailing her journey and aspirations for the future.
At the TLEI conference, Hossain presented his project results to over 140 youth delegates and began planning the next phase of the “One Marianas” project. Hossain was also able to connect with youth from different parts of the nation and learn about the initiatives they are conducting in their communities. This next phase aims to take the initiative on a more personal level through community outreach. The team will strive to collaborate with community partners and educate students on the current stigma within the CNMI community.
“TLEI was such a great opportunity for the youth to take part in creating an inclusive environment in their community. The youth exercised their skills in communication, collaboration, and taking the lead to successfully complete their project. They were also able to present their ideas to other youth members and gain meaningful feedback,” said Chelsea Yangirelfil, TLEI Co-Advisor.
“It’s inspiring to see our young people leading efforts to increase understanding and inclusion as we all benefit from creating an environment where youth with disabilities are seen, welcomed, and engaged,” stated Interim Dean of NMC-CREES Patty Coleman.