By: Maritjie Kailey          

"Let me take the first step!" These words inspire me to share my journey. I am Maritjie Kailey from Fatlabata, Aru Islands, Indonesia, and I have a dream—to encourage young people in my community to value both formal and non-formal education, nurture a love for the environment, and embrace creativity and innovation.

Currently, I am studying at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU – Norges Teknisk-Naturvitenskapelige Universitet) in Trondheim, Norway. In the next five years, I aspire to establish a space where young people in Fatlabata can come together to appreciate and nurture the good in their surroundings. I cannot wait for others to take the first step—I must be the one to lead, not only now but in the future. Through my actions, I will demonstrate what I have learned and how I can apply my knowledge. I do not wish to simply speak about change; I want to embody it. No one else can bring this vision to life except me. If I succeed, it will prove that my generation—and those who follow—can do the same. I firmly believe in this mission.

Throughout this journey, I have built networks at local, national, and international levels, aligning with my studies in Norway. I seek out people who share my concerns and aspirations. One of the greatest challenges is shifting the mindset surrounding failure—learning from setbacks rather than fearing them. I come from a society where young people often lack support and face criticism or negativity from those who do not share their vision and merely talk without taking action. To overcome this, young people must work hard to bring their dreams to life, proving their commitment through action. They must think smart, broaden their perspectives, gain diverse experiences, and continuously improve. In most cases, people focus only on results rather than the process—but once they witness real achievements, they begin to believe. Now, more than ever, young individuals with ambitious dreams are essential to driving the Aru Islands towards a better future, because the future belongs to them.

Remember to pursue your own dreams, not those of others. Stop worrying about what people say—take the first step and begin your journey. Envision yourself five years from now and work toward that future with determination. ***