Youth Empowerment: A Story of Belief and Transformation

As an Integration Leader at LP4Y, my mission is not just to train Youths but to find real career opportunities for them. However, this journey has never been easy. Many doors have been shut in my face, and I’ve heard the same questions over and over:

"LP4Y? What is that?"

"We need people with degrees and experience, what can your Youths offer?"

But I always knew the truth: our Youths are not just skilled, they are resilient fighters who have overcome immense hardships and understand the true value of hard work.

Youth Empowerment at UPAY: A New Opportunity

One day, while job searching for our Youths in Rangpur, I met Mr. Rashedul, the area manager of UPAY, a mobile banking service under UCB Bank . He was experienced, pragmatic, and deeply aware of the challenges in the job market.

During our first conversation, he looked at me with curiosity and skepticism.

Do you just run a training program, or do you actually prepare Youth for real jobs? he asked.

I had heard this before, so I smiled and calmly explained the LP4Y model, how we train Youth not just with skills but with a professional mindset. I spoke about their communication abilities, digital expertise, teamwork, and problem-solving skills.

But Mr Rashedul remained unconvinced.

UPAY needs experienced employees. Can your Youths really handle this work?

The Battle to Earn Trust at UPAY

I knew this was my moment. I responded confidently,

Just meet our Youths once. See their confidence, their eagerness to learn. Then decide for yourself.

He agreed, and I arranged a meeting where I brought three Youths. Each of them introduced themselves and shared their stories, stories of struggle, resilience, and transformation through LP4Y. They spoke about their newly developed skills, ambitions, and the value they could bring to UPAY.

Mr. Rashedu listened carefully, asked questions, and observed them closely. After a pause, he finally smiled and said,

Alright, I’ll give you a chance. Let’s take one Youth for an internship and see how they perform!

The Beginning of Change at UPAY

That single opportunity changed everything.

The first LP4Y Youth joined UPAY and, within weeks, impressed everyone with their dedication, discipline, and adaptability. Their willingness to learn and contribute shattered all doubts.

One month later, I received a call from Mr. Rashedul. His voice was filled with excitement:

Your Youth is truly exceptional! Their focus, their eagerness to learn, it’s beyond what I expected. We want to hire two more!

One Victory, Countless Possibilities at UPAY

That first internship opened doors for many others. UPAY saw the potential of LP4Y Youth, and soon, more opportunities followed.

Today, 13 LP4Y Youths are working at UPAY, not just as employees but as proof that determination and the right support can transform lives. UPAY continues to be a space for true youth empowerment, where transformation is made possible through trust, education, and opportunity

What started as a simple conversation in Rangpur turned into a powerful partnership, helping more young people break free from poverty and step into a future filled with possibilities and when someone believes in the potential of our Youths, it doesn’t just change one life, it changes an entire community.