A Year of Youth Spotlight Series – Maya Kirti Nanan of Trinidad and Tobago
July 30A short bio about yourself
My name is Maya Kirti Nanan, a 21-year-old from Trinidad and Tobago. I am proud to be the first Diana Award recipient from my country and the Commonwealth Young Person of the Year 2023/2024. Currently, I am pursuing a BSc in Youth Development Work and I will graduate next year.
Tell us a little about your event/project (how it came about, number of young people benefited and impact it had)
At the age of 12, I started the Autism Siblings and Friends Network to create an inclusive country where my autistic brother, and others with special needs and disabilities, would not be discriminated against and would have equal access to educational opportunities. Together, with youth volunteers, we have organised many events to promote inclusivity, including the first-ever Autism Fun Day and Autism Christmas Party. So far, we have trained more than 800 young people as advocates, some of whom have chosen to pursue careers in special needs.
In 2022, I received a grant from the Queen’s Commonwealth Trust’s Platinum Jubilee Fund for Young Leaders, and I used those fund to establish ‘Rahul’s Clubhouse.’ It’s named after my brother and it is a unique autism-friendly centre in Trinidad and Tobago. We provide developmental and socialising opportunities for autistic persons. We also train youth volunteers between the ages of 10 to 35 years to work with autistic people and offer educational sessions and activities such as art, music, play therapy, life skills, and dance.
Addressing a gap in the Trinidad education system, which traditionally relies on a standardised curriculum and evaluation, Rahul’s clubhouse has benefited 425 autistic individuals through both individual and group sessions since its inception. After only eight months of operation, we have won the Champion Youth Project for Impact (2022) and the Youth Service and Humanitarianism National Youth Award 2023.
What inspired you to work on this particular issue?
My autistic brother is and continues to be my biggest inspiration. He is only one year younger than me and when we were growing up, I didn’t understand why he was home while I attended school. I didn’t understand why schools did not accept him. When we went out to public spaces, people would stare at him. There were many places that he could not go to because they were too loud or crowded, so he didn’t have many opportunities to socialise. I wanted to change this. I wanted him to be able to do all the things that I did. That’s why I started organising sensory-friendly events, that he would be able to attend, be comfortable and enjoy himself.
What should your country/community do to address this issue?
Every single child has a right to an education. In Trinidad and Tobago, education is compulsory but there are many inequalities in the system. Our education system does not cater fully to the needs of autistic individuals and those with disabilities.
Consequently, many children with disabilities cannot access public education, and the cost of private schools is very high. Speech, occupational and developmental therapy are only accessible privately and at exorbitant fees. About 90% of the autistic children who attend sessions at Rahul’s Clubhouse are not enrolled in an educational institution. The government should address this gap so that no child is left behind. They should support centres like Rahul’s Clubhouse so that education becomes more accessible to autistic people.
What was the most memorable moment during the event/project?
The day we officially opened Rahul’s Clubhouse was unforgettable, especially when my brother Rahul unveiled our sign. He was very happy and his constant smile was the most precious expression, as he is mostly non-verbal and cannot tell me directly.
Other memorable moments include hearing a child say their first word or watching children, who usually don’t socialize, play together.
What is your vision for this project?
The vision is very clear: to continue to create opportunities for autistic individuals in Trinidad and Tobago through Rahul’s Clubhouse. I aim to expand the centre with top-of-the-line facilities to offer sports, agricultural programmes, skills training and most of all, employment opportunities for autistic individuals. This vision includes involving young people and training them to become fearless advocates.
What keeps you motivated?
My brother is my biggest motivation! He inspires me every single day. I want the best for him. I want him to be able to access all kinds of opportunities. If that is to happen, then I know that I must create those opportunities for him.
Tell us an unusual fact or piece of trivia about yourself.
I have two inscription tattoos and they each say:
- “I am his voice; he is my heart” – Despite Rahul not being able to talk to me since he is nonverbal, I still understand him and love him with all my heart.
- “Different; not less” – This one highlights the need to include and represent those with autism. One year after I got this tattoo, and this year it was the slogan for our first-ever autism 5K run/fun walk medal.
What is your favourite quote? Why?
My favourite quote is, “Young people have the power to change the world” by Princess Diana. As a young person, I have watched the impact of my work on the lives of others over the years. I believe that once young people begin to make a difference and recognise the positive impact of their actions, they will see that they are changing the world, one step at a time.
What youth issue should be a priority for the Commonwealth Youth Programme and why?
A priority area should be a deeper focus on youth with disabilities, ensuring they have equal access to development opportunities and a platform to voice their opinions. It’s crucial to reach youth with disabilities in impoverished communities, as they are often the most marginalised. Many lack access to the technology and resources needed to participate in activities organised by Commonwealth groups. Therefore, we must be innovative in how we engage with these marginalised youths.
