Young & Wise
Discovering wisdom across cultures and borders
15 young adults x 9 weeks of hybrid learning x 1 international field experience
“How can my child see life as an adventure filled with purpose, not just a checklist?”
“Between screens and schedules, how do we make room for self-awareness and inner balance?”
“How do we break out of our echo chambers?”
“Between ‘How was school?’ and ‘Ready for dinner?’, how can we build shared experience that deepens our relationship?”
You are not alone in asking these questions. Every parent desires their child to be more than just book smart – they want them to grow into wise individuals who think, act, and respond in a thoughtful and an authentic manner.
The Young & Wise is an experiential quest designed to help teens transition from self-focused to community-centered thinking, building a global perspective and lifelong learning.
With an international field trip, cultural immersion, hands-on projects, and reflective storytelling, this program unlocks curiosity, connection, and wisdom in each participant. Young learners will discover the value of traditional knowledge, learn how to adapt to the unexpected and explore what it means to be a compassionate, active global citizen.
Let the world be your child’s classroom.
A bouquet of offerings
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Experiential Activities
Building transferrable life skills grounded in human wisdom
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Engaging Resources
Bringing global perspectives to our doorstep
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Access to Global Mentors
Receiving guidance from a network of experienced mentors
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International Field Trip
Building connections with a diverse community
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Prototype Showcase
Designing insights into actionable solutions for the host community
Quest Snapshot
Act 1: Call to adventure I 4 weeks of Foundational learning
Kick off with virtual sessions designed for self-discovery and build the essential skills you’ll need for the field visit and collaborating with the community. Through FUEL’s renowned activities, explore the art of wise reasoning, strengthen your decision-making, and begin navigating the world through a more thoughtful lens.
Act 2 - The Longest Walk I 1 week of Cultural immersion
Sometimes, stepping into a new perspective can feel like the longest walk. In this week, you will travel to Babati, Tanzania and connect with the Iraqw community and our local partners, Karimu Foundation. Through ethnographic exploration, harvest the community’s unique wisdom and challenges, contributing to collaborative projects for social impact.
Go back home with rich perspectives and folksongs that you will keep humming!
Act 3 - Accelerating towards love I 4 weeks of reflection & prototyping
The final act is for deep reflection, creative prototyping and a commitment to positive action. Over four weeks, you’ll choose a community cause that resonates deeply with you and commit to shaping a meaningful solution.
Using the wisdom, tools, and stories you've gathered along the way, you’ll prototype an impact-led solution. Past cohorts have brought ideas to action by fundraising for water harvesting systems, building websites for local healthcare access, and mobilising educational resources for local schools.
From San Francisco to Losinmingori Village in Tanzania
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In 2021, Roshan and Yuvraj Taneja, two curious brothers from San Francisco joined FUEL as research volunteers and quickly became key players in a social impact initiative in rural Tanzania. Partnering with the Maasai community in Arusha, FUEL was then building a community centre aimed at providing digital education and economic opportunities for women and youth. Inspired by the community’s resilience, the duo spearheaded a fundraising campaign to build a water harvesting unit to serve over 10,000 people in the village.
To deepen their connection, they travelled to Losimingori village for a week-long, immersive cultural experience, where they bonded with Maasai youth, participated in local rituals, and exchanged stories that broadened their worldview. Drawing on their skills in modern technology, they also contributed by building a website for a local NGO, furthering their commitment to the community’s growth.
Their journey didn’t stop there—back home, the brothers rallied more friends, and global organisations like Engineers without Borders into this collective mission, raised an additional round of funding amounting to $20k and returned to Tanzania to document the water project’s impact.
For his research, Roshan was honored with the SDG 2023 Next Generation Foresight Practitioners - Young Voices Award.
Here’s to the Young & Wise shaping the world they want to fall in love with!
Imagine…
Walking through the green valleys and farmlands of Babati, Tanzania and connecting with the Iraqw people to learn the art of storytelling. Engaging in deep conversation with the youth on themes of identity and belonging in the 21st century. Partnering with grassroots entrepreneurs to tackle real-world challenges, and exploring sustainable practices seamlessly woven into daily life. Immersing yourself in frugal innovation, finding your rhythm in folk songs shared by midwives, and learning the value of hard work while farming alongside local primary school students.
Your child will leave with...
A sense of awe and wonder
A greater sense of agency in creating positive change
Confidence in navigating new environments
Practical and empathetic problem-solving skills
Stories and memories they cannot wait to share
Tools for mindful living and a stronger sense of community
An appreciation for the wisdom in everyday people
You will leave with…
Richness that money can't buy
A broadened definition of wisdom of children
A shared journey with your child that deepens the relationship
More meaningful conversations with your child
Pride in your child’s growth
A supportive community of like-minded parents to lean on
Tell me more
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Mode of delivery: Hybrid cohort-based program
Group Size: 8-10 students accompanied by one parent each + 2 FUEL team members
Age group: 14 - 18 years (High School)
Duration: 9 weeks
Phase 1: 4 weeks [Weekly Zoom session of 1.5 hours]
Phase 2: 1 week [International field visit]
Phase 3: 4 weeks [Weekly Zoom session of 1.5 hours]
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Personal Growth & Global Citizenship
Empathy & Intellectual Humility: Cultivate the ability to understand diverse perspectives, uncover biases, and develop a more inclusive worldview.
Self-Awareness & Reflection: Discover personal values and purpose for authentic living.
Adaptability & Leadership
Cultural Resilience & Adaptability: Strengthen resilience by stepping into new environments and thriving in a globally connected world.
Leadership for the Common Good: Lead with empathy and collaboration, driving meaningful solutions for community well-being.
Sustainability & Wisdom Sharing
Sustainable Living & Intergenerational Learning: Bridge traditional wisdom and modern innovation to tackle today’s social and environmental challenges.
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Cost details will be shared once you have filled the interest form.
Every great quest begins with a single step.