Eric Choi: Turning Individual Action Into Change

“It’s a bit embarrassing to say, but we were also recognized by Mozambique’s minister.”

For Prestans student Eric Choi, education is about more than personal achievement. As a co-founder and co-president of Youth Edu Visionaries (YEV), it’s about creating a world where everyone has an equal right to education and the opportunity to succeed. YEV’s work is guided by the goal of “creating a world where students learn together as equals.”

Most recently, Eric helped lead YEV’s work in Mozambique, where the organization partnered with two local schools to provide equipment, teach classes, and improve educational facilities. Eric reflected on the work by offering, “My favorite part was the teaching experience... I think I gained a new appreciation for teaching. I never expected it would be so hard!” 

Notably, Eric and his team identified important health and safety concerns stemming from a lack of artificial lighting on the school campuses. With students attending classes in shifts, many were walking to and from classes in complete darkness. As part of YEV’s Lantern Project, Eric helped “install streetlights throughout the school grounds, creating a safer and more suitable environment for nighttime classes and travel.”

YEV’s work was ultimately recognized by the [Minister of Mozambique and Mozambique’s Head of Education]. Reflecting on the impact of this recent trip, Eric shared, “I've been working on the project for about two to three years now, and getting to go there for the first time was a gratifying experience.” 

Ultimately, their success didn’t just rely on providing resources. It was about building relationships and helping create the environments necessary for students in the area to thrive.

At Prestans, we’re proud to have Eric in our community applying his passion for education in such a meaningful way.