Dare to Dream, Brave to Try

By Fit Nabila | STAR, TDC Surabaya, Indonesia

Nabila works as a Barista at Kroesel House of Coffee (LP4Y Partner)

My name is Fit Nabila. I am 19 years old and I come from a simple family. Since I was a child, I have been used to living with limited economic conditions. I grew up seeing my parents work very hard every day just to support our family. They always try their best to give everything they can for me.

However, as I grew older, my parents’ health started to decline, and they often got sick. Around the same time, before my high school graduation announcement, I applied for SNBP (college test) because I really hoped I could continue my studies at university. Unfortunately, I did not pass. Actually, I really want to go to college. But when I saw my family’s financial condition at that time, I felt that it was not possible yet. With a heavy heart, I decided to work first. But honestly, I didn’t know where to start.

Before I joined LP4Y, I felt like my life was just flowing without any clear direction. I lived day by day thinking, “Maybe this is just how my life will be.” I also often felt like giving up easily whenever I faced failure. It was hard for me to truly believe in myself. At one point, I got a freelance job at a hotel. Even though the experience didn’t last long, I was still grateful because it taught me about responsibility.

Then I found LP4Y, a training center that became a turning point in my life. There, I didn’t just learn about work skills, but I was also encouraged to dream. We were asked to create a Life Project Plan, a plan for our future that made me realize that the future is something we have to fight for, not just wait for.I learned about leadership, public speaking, building self-confidence, time management, and also how to plan short-term and long-term goals. Slowly, my mindset started to change.

Nabila at Kroesel Coffee Academy

One of the trainers once told me, “Don’t give up. Maybe you try 99 times and fail, and then you try one more time. The courage to try again is already a success.” That sentence became my life principle. Since then, I am no longer afraid of failure. I learned that success is not only about the result, but also about the courage to keep trying.

After finishing the program at LP4Y, I got the opportunity to work as a barista at Kroesel House of Coffee, which is one of LP4Y’s partners. In this place, I met coworkers who became a support system for me. I don’t just work there, but I also keep learning and growing.

Right now, I am working while preparing myself for the UTBK exam so that I can get into a public university. My biggest hope in 2026 is to continue my education at a state university and help improve my family’s economic condition.

My journey may not be finished yet. But now I know that my life is no longer about just going with the flow. It’s about daring to dream, daring to try, and never giving up.