- Aditi Paudel is appointed as Japan's first Literacy Ambassador at 17.
- Inspired by Malala Yousafzai, she wants to promote global literacy worldwide.
- She aims to empower youth through reading, education, and resource donation.
Inspiring Story of Aditi Paudel: The passion for reading and writing can take you through unimaginable paths of life. A simple example is 17-year-old Aditi Paudel, who has recently been appointed as Japan’s first Literacy Ambassador. Born in Japan and raised in Nepal during early childhood, she is among the 900 youths involved in this program, selected from 101 countries around the world, aged between 16 and 25 years. Currently, she is a senior high school student in Japan and is also associated with the Foundation's 'Youth Ambassador Program'. As Japan's first literacy ambassador in this program, Paudel will work with other young ambassadors to encourage young people to develop the habit of reading.
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Aditi Paudel: Family Background
Aditi Paudel was born in Japan and spent her early childhood in Nepal in a multicultural household. She has always been inclined toward reading from childhood. Her early reading memory stems from her grandfather, who once handed her Devanagari newspapers when she was just a preschooler. The handwriting was difficult to read, but she understood it, surprising those around her. Supporting her literacy inclination, her father actively purchased books for her, thus fostering her reading passion. Dedicated support from the family ultimately helped her make history as Japan’s first literacy ambassador.
Influenced By Malala Yousafzai’s Autobiography
Access to private education made Aditi realize the value of educational opportunities and how they can reshape one’s future. “Being literate is so important because even though you have the potential, you can never unlock it if you do not have literacy,” she added. Reading Malala Yousafzai's renowned autobiography, “I Am Malala,” was a major turning point in her life. The book strengthened her view on global education, sparking a passionate interest in female empowerment and human rights.
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Wants To Promote Global Literacy And Empower Youth
Driven by her own journey, Aditi is dedicated to empowering youth towards global literacy. She firmly believes that reading is a powerful tool for social mobility, breaking generational cycles of poverty, and fostering critical thinking. Continuing her role as the literacy ambassador, she aims to provide educational resources by donating books to lower-literacy communities through the Shanti Volunteer Association.