Exciting Updates & Opportunities: Quarterly Update from Aravanai!

Dear Aravanai Community Member, We hope this message finds you well and that the new year has kicked off on a prosperous note for you! As we dive into 2024, we want to extend our heartfelt gratitude for your unwavering support throughout 2023. Your contributions have been instrumental in driving positive change and impact. Firstly, we want to celebrate the incredible success of our Curated gala, where together, we raised over $22,000 for underserved students and aspiring entrepreneurs. These funds have been channeled into various initiatives led by our on-the-ground partner, Yarl IT Hub. From the YGC Innovation Festival to Uki Coding School, and everything in between, your generosity is making a tangible difference in the lives of many. We're thrilled to share some highlights from our recent activities: - Mentored 2 cohorts as part of the Land and Border program in Toronto, fostering collaboration between companies from Jaffna. - Conducted an engaging session on entrepreneurship at 3axislabs in Jaffna, inspiring future leaders. - Provided direct support to the Yarl Geek Challenge, guiding and mentoring students on their entrepreneurial journey. - Hosted a dynamic 7-day badminton training camp for 30 students selected from the Jaffna district school board, promoting health and wellness. - Preparing to welcome the next cohort of students for our custom-designed AWS course at the University of Jaffna, opening doors to new opportunities. - Our very own Rajan Bala will be sharing his expertise through lectures at the Computer Engineering department in Kilinochchi and guest lecturing at the UofJ in Jaffna. - Initiating discussions with the Durham Tamils Association (DTA) to co-host an upcoming session aimed at guiding high school students through the university application process and choices. We're immensely proud of these achievements, but our work is far from over. Your continued support is crucial in driving our mission forward. With just a monthly commitment of $100 here, you can pave the way for a deserving student to embark on a life-changing journey through our coding school, ignite a passion for STEM in rural high school students, or empower an aspiring entrepreneur to turn their dreams into reality. If you're ready to make an impact or explore volunteer and mentorship opportunities, we invite you to take the next step. Sign up to volunteer [here] and become a mentor [here]. Get ready for another year filled with learning, inspiration, and empowerment. Together, we can make 2024 our most impactful year yet! Warm regards, Aravanai Team