While the past two years with COVID have certainly been challenging for all of us, it appears that we are starting to see the light at the end of this dark tunnel. I cannot be more grateful for our dedicated staff and board members who have been patient and resilient as we have navigated the uncharted waters of the pandemic. I must also sincerely thank all our donors, funders, alumni, and friends who support VIA and enable us to continue our work. After evacuating our Global Community Fellows from Asia in March 2020 and operating in the virtual space during the pandemic, I am excited to share that we have started to plan in-person programs again. In fact, we just recently had a VIA Fellow, Betty Nguyen, head out to Japan in April. Betty is working with one of VIA’s newest partners, Shonan Shijuku in Osaka Prefecture, to support youth social impact leadership and community development activities. We are also in conversations with other partners listed on p.5 of this report with hopes to send more VIA Fellows to Asia later this summer. Additionally, we have plans to invite participants back to Silicon Valley, starting with a program in June for young leaders from Central Asia.
VIA Programs 2020-21 Annual Report
