Ever since I was a child, I dreamed of becoming an astronaut.
The stars weren’t just distant lights to me — they were destinations, promises of discovery, and invitations to understand our place in the universe. I devoured books on astronomy, followed every major space mission, and drew inspiration from pioneers like Chris Hadfield. His words, his journey — I carried them with me like a compass. My path was clear: I would reach space, and the air force would be my way in.
But life, as it often does, had other plans.
A serious ankle fracture set me back. Not long after, my vision deteriorated, and I needed glasses — a small detail for most, but a disqualifier for the physically exacting path I had chosen. The dream I held so tightly began to fade. It was a slow, painful unraveling. And when the COVID-19 lockdown arrived, it brought silence — both outside and within.
But silence, too, is a teacher.
In the stillness of lockdown, something else caught my attention: the world was healing. Skies cleared, birds returned to cityscapes, nature began to breathe again. This wasn't just poetic — it was a brutal reminder of how deeply we had scarred our only home. That moment shook me. For the first time, I realized that while I might never leave Earth, I could help save it.
That was the seed of TheÓrb.
It began during an online Model United Nations conference focused on climate change. After the event, I reached out to a few like-minded delegates — strangers from across the world who shared the same restless urgency. Together, we started building something from our bedrooms and broken routines: a youth-led community for climate storytelling, advocacy, and action.
At its peak, TheÓrb became a global collective with contributors from the U.S., the Philippines, Indonesia, Sri Lanka, and beyond. We created content across platforms, held conversations that mattered, and even received an invitation from a school in the Philippines to speak to students about environmental change.
But then came another crossroads: college.
I had to focus on my career. Coming from a background where private education wasn’tan option, and with little guidance available, I had to pause TheÓrb and navigate my path forward. It wasn’t abandonment — it was incubation. I knew I’d return. And now, I have.
With renewed clarity, stronger intent, and a team that still believes in the same cause, The Órb is back — not just as a passion project, but as a purpose-driven platform. We're still telling stories. We're still building bridges. And we’re still reaching for the stars — only now, we do it with our feet on the ground and our eyes on the planet we call home.
To anyone who’s ever had to rewrite their dreams: your detour might just lead you to your mission.
— Sameeer
Founder, The Órb