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By Ranjana Chaudry | STAR, Green Village Budhanilkantha, Nepal Ranjana during Graduation There was a time when fear controlled my life, fear of failing, fear of speaking up, and fear of believing in myself. But gradually, I learned to face it. Every small effort made me stronger. My name is Ranjana Chaudhari. I am 23 years old and a member of Batch 37 of Green Village Nepal. My hometown is Lumbini Province, Dang, Nepal. From a young age, I wanted to make a difference in my life. I faced many limitations, people doubted me, and I feared failure. But I always wanted to learn and move forward. After joining LP4Y, my perspective completely changed. Here, I learned to face my fears, turn my weaknesses into strengths, and take small steps to build my confidence. Today, I understand that the journey was not easy, but every challenge made me stronger. I move forward not only with hope for my own future but also with the belief that I can be an inspiration for other youth. I am now writing about my life journey at LP4Y. I joined LP4Y in February 2024. At that time, my life was full of uncertainty. I didn't know where to go, what to do, or what my future would be like. But after coming to LP4Y, my perspective completely changed. Before joining LP4Y, I was full of uncertainty and fear. My confidence was almost zero. I had no idea about working in a company, and I couldn’t even identify my own skills and qualities. The hardest part was that I didn’t dare to speak in public. I often stayed quiet and didn’t express my thoughts because of fear. But after joining LP4Y, my journey began. Here, I learned to believe in myself, face challenges step by step, and gradually build my confidence. My most memorable time in LP4Y was participating in yoga with Puja, meeting Simran face-to-face, and visiting the Horticulture Expo. I also traveled with Simran and Salome (Catalyst) along with our Sustainable Development Micro-Company team. We learned broom-making, cutting, and table-making together with Salome. My most challenging time in LP4Y came when I was made the team leader of the Sustainable Development Micro Company. At first, I felt very uncomfortable. I didn’t know how to manage my team, how to run the work, or how to communicate with other Micro Companies and the community. Every day brought a new challenge; some tasks were delayed, and understanding with some team members was difficult. But I didn’t give up. I took small steps, planned carefully, supported my team, and practiced open communication. Gradually, I became confident, and my team also supported my efforts. GV Budhanilkantha Team, Graduation After joining LP4Y, I learned to face the challenges of life. Step by step, I became stronger and more confident. The most important thing I learned at LP4Y was how to search for a job and succeed in interviews. At first, I was full of fear and uncertainty, but LP4Y taught me confidence and preparation. Today, I have put that learning into practice. I am working as an editor at Veritacore Nepal. Every day, I learn new things, face challenges, and move forward toward my dreams. LP4Y guided me on my journey and empowered me. In the future, I want to fulfill my own dream. I have thought that one day I will open a digital studio. For me, it is not just a business, but also an opportunity to showcase my creativity and abilities. And now I want to say to other Youths who are thinking about joining LP4Y that your decision is a good one. LP4Y is an organization that provides free training to help young people become independent and self-reliant. So please don't hesitate to come at least once, learn many new things, and gain valuable experience.If you are confused about what to do in the future or finding it difficult to decide your career path, it can be a great opportunity for you. And I want to say that to the companies that hesitate to give jobs to Youths like me, please give us a chance first. There is nothing impossible. Nothing in this world is perfect. Once we start doing something, we can achieve anything. The most special thing after joining LP4Y was getting to know many friends. I got the opportunity to visit many companies, and at first, I was afraid to speak in English. But there, I got the chance to interact with external coaches like Morgane, Salome, Augusta, and many others. I had never performed street drama before, but after joining LP4Y, I was able to go into communities and, through drama, deliver messages against violence toward women, which made me very happy.

By Dian Safitri | STAR, TDC Jakarta Dian, Soumayraa, and Laxmi in New York, USA Hello, my name is Dian Safitri, I am 23 years old. I have been an alumnus of LP4Y since 2021. It was such a pleasure for me to be able to join LP4Y for the first time back then during the pandemic. Not gonna lie, joining LP4Y was one of the right paths I chose in my life. At that time, I had just graduated from high school, but I couldn’t continue to university because it was too expensive. Dian at the United Nations, NYC, USA There was a time when I was stuck at home. Then, one of the Catalysts in Kampung Sawah came to see me and asked if I wanted to join LP4Y. She said it’s free, and I could learn many things there. I thought, “Why not? There’s nothing to lose.” Then I came to the center to observe what was happening there. Turns out, I felt this was the right place to spend my time while I was still figuring out how to get a job. I joined training sessions with other Youths, learned about professional behavior, handled small businesses together, and prepared for job searching. My coaches helped me a lot with my resume and cover letter, and guided me on which jobs were good and which were not. They always reminded us that we have our own value. Now I am working at PT Sant Group Indonesia, a perfume company (Crusita and Aoera) as a graphic designer. It’s been more than a year since I joined this company, and I am so happy because I can finally be part of a real creative team, just like what I always wanted. As we saw in the I Am the Future movie, I am one of the characters in the film, from Kampung Sawah, Jakarta. Now I want to share with you what happened during the making of the movie. At first, I was called by one of the coaches, Romain. He told me he wanted to make a movie, and also asked if I wanted to testify at the UN in New York. I was confused but also excited at the same time because I love movies, and I love sharing my story. After that, many things happened at once. I had to prepare my speech for the UN, I had to shoot the movie, and I also had to continue working. Fast forward, I met other stars of the movie, Laxmi and Soumayraa. They were so nice. But unfortunately, Mamadou could not come because of his visa problem, which is one of the struggles faced by refugees in Europe. Youth Visions Team & I Am the Future's characters in New York We testified at the United Nations for the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty, held at the UN Headquarters. It was such an incredible moment, being able to share a real story from our side as people living in poverty, and to represent my community in Kampung Sawah. Because, as we know, people often talk about poverty, but they don’t always understand how it really feels to live in that position. Finally, about the movie itself: I think it is a good way to spread awareness about the problems we are facing, but at the same time, to show that we still have light in our hearts and passion for life. For example, even though I live in Kampung Sawah, I really love art, especially painting and drawing. Now, the movie has been screened in several cities around France. I even had the opportunity to meet Mrs. Samantha Mane, the CEO of MANE, in Grasse last year for a screening. After screening the movie, we received feedback from people who said it was very inspiring. Many Youths came to me and told me they were inspired by my story. That’s why I really hope this program, Life Project 4 Youth, will continue to support young people, guide them to reach their target jobs, and motivate them to keep moving forward.

By Nirmala Sunuwar | LAA Leader, TDC Kathmandu, Nepal Nirmala in the Kathmandu LAA Namaste everyone, My name is Nirmala Sunuwar, and I am from Nepal. Currently, I am working as a Leader at LAA (Little Angels Academy) under LP4Y Nepal. First of all, I would like to share a short story about my journey, who I was before joining LP4Y, what I learned at LP4Y, and how LP4Y transformed my life. LAA Community Training Before joining LP4Y (Life Project 4 Youth), I was known only as a housewife, a mother, and an unemployed woman. I had responsibilities at home, but I did not have a professional identity or financial independence. Deep inside, I always wanted to do something meaningful, but I did not know where to begin. When I joined LP4Y as a Youth, I was given the opportunity to learn many new things. In the beginning, it was very difficult for me. Managing my home and family responsibilities while attending training every day was challenging. There were times when I felt tired and overwhelmed. However, the daily learning, the guidance from trainers, and the encouragement from my teammates made me stronger and more confident. During this time, I learned to face obstacles bravely. Instead of giving up, I chose to move forward with courage and determination. I completed the six-month training successfully, and that was one of the proudest moments of my life. I felt truly fortunate and grateful because after completing my training, I was given the opportunity to work at LP4Y itself. LAA Clean-Up Drive While working at LP4Y, I also had the chance to empower other mothers. I shared my story and proved that even a mother who manages her family and children can work professionally and build a career. I am proud that I was able to encourage many young mothers to join LP4Y and start their own journeys toward independence. Today, I would like to give a message to all young women: Never step back because of problems. Learn to struggle with courage. Do not be afraid to speak up. Be grateful for what you have, and always keep working hard. Hard work always brings sweet results. LP4Y did not just give me training it gave me confidence, leadership skills, communication skills, and a new identity. It transformed me from a housewife into a leader. For that, I will always be thankful.

The Youth, Stars, Catalysts and LP4Y partners are the Voices of LP4Y, through inspiring testimonies, they tell us their stories. The Youth, Stars, Catalysts and LP4Y partners are the Voices of LP4Y, through inspiring testimonies, they tell us their stories . Each trimester, receive LP4Y's newsletter with a preview of the most inspiring stories and set foot on the ground alongside the Young adults. SUBSCRIBE TO THE NEWSLETTER Looking for a specific story? CATALYSTS EVENTS HOPE AND AMBITION PROFESSIONAL EXPOSURE INTEGRATION COLLABORATION WOMEN EMPOWERMENT Latest LP4Y stories Growing Through Trust: When Leadership Creates Opportunities Isa Nebres, department manager, testimony: What is your background at decathlon (how long have you been leader/whether you have taken on other missions or roles before…)? I began my journey with Decathlon as a working student, starting part-time while preparing for college. What was initially meant to be a two-month job for me evolved into a seven-year journey of growth and now 3 years in leadership. I was 19 when I was first entrusted to become one of the Layout Referents f 3 days ago Melody and Intonation: A Journey of Personal Change My name is Atta, 19 years old . I am still young, but my life journey has made me grow up faster than my age suggests . I am a graduate of LP4Y, a place that not only teaches skills, but also supports my personal change , shaping the way I see the world and myself . Since childhood, I have been accustomed to living in silence . My mother rarely came home because she worked far away to support our family . I grew up alone, learning to cook by myself and learning to calm mysel 7 days ago Believing in the Power Within: Krishala’s Transformation My name is Krishala Rai , and I am from Panchthar Rabi, Nepal . Before joining LP4Y, my life was very uncertain. I was jobless, shy, and had very little confidence in myself. I didn’t know what my dream was or what I wanted to do in life. Every day felt the same, and even though I wanted to move forward, I didn’t know how. When I first heard about LP4Y , I shared it with my family. At first, they didn’t really understand what it was, but after I explained, they allowed me to Dec 19 My initiative in the direction of change My name is Ravi Yadav . I am 19 years old and I come from Sakti District, Chhattisgarh . I completed my 12th grade in Science . My hobbies are playing sports and learning new things, and my dream is to become a teacher . Before joining LP4Y, I was at home doing nothing. My routine was only sleeping, waking up, and eating. Sometimes I helped my father with farming, housework, and receiving people at home, but most of the time I felt lost . I had forgotten who I was. I felt la Dec 15 Life Project 4 Youth LP4Y is an international movement of local organisations specializing in the development of innovative solutions for the professional and social integration of excluded Youth living in extreme poverty. MORE ABOUT LP4Y 10,584 Accompanied Youth since 2009 66% Integrated Youth 17 Training & Development Centers 4 Green Villages 1,005 Youth trained in 2024 If you are part of LP4Y ecosystem and want to share your story, send them to lp4ystories@lp4y.org to be featured.

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Discover testimonies from Youth, Stars, Catalysts and LP4Y partners related to the Philippines. PHILIPPINES LP4Y Stories in the COUNTRY PHILIPPINES CONTINENT ASIA CAPITAL MANILA CURRENCY PHILIPPINE PESO LANGUAGES FILIPINO, ENGLISH LP4Y PHILIPPINES'S KEY FIGURES: OPENED IN 2009 LP4Y CENTERS 7 TDC 1 GV More about LP4Y Philippines 1/18 ALL LP4Y STORIES IN THE PHILIPPINES Growing Through Trust: When Leadership Creates Opportunities Isa Nebres, department manager, testimony: What is your background at decathlon (how long have you been leader/whether you have taken on other missions or roles before…)? I began my journey with Decathlon as a working student, starting part-time while preparing for college. What was initially meant to be a two-month job for me evolved into a seven-year journey of growth and now 3 years in leadership. I was 19 when I was first entrusted to become one of the Layout Referents f From Fear to Confidence Good day to all of you, I am Cristina M. Baldera, 21 years old, living in Dayap, Calauan, Laguna. I grew up without a mother . I lived with my father and grandmother . My mother left me when I was only two months old . She told my father and grandmother she would come back when my brother was seven years old, but she never came . Then she called again and said she would come home when I was one year old, but still, no one came. When I was seven years old, we learned that my Rosalinda’s New Beginnings: From Motherhood Challenges to a Future with LP4Y My name is Rosalinda Lalaguna, I’m 23 years old and I live in Sto. Tomas, Calauan, Laguna. Before joining LP4Y, every day of my life felt the same. I stayed at home, helping my mother take care of my youngest sibling and also looking after my own children. I didn’t have a job, no income, and no clear plan for my future. I wanted to work, but I didn’t have the skills or the confidence to start . When I learned about LP4Y, I saw it as a chance for new beginnings, a chance to When Hope Returned My name is Fatima O. Malaca, and I am 20 years old. Life has never been easy for me. My parents separated when I was young, and from then... From Challenge to Entrepreneurial Success! Hello everyone, my name is Judy Ann Abasola, and I’m truly honored to share my journey with the LP4Y program. As I begin to write this... Hope and Transformation: Sherdon’s Journey from the Streets to a Life with Purpose Hello everyone, my name is Sherdon Zabate Delossantos. I am 23 years old and I live in Barangay Guadalupe, Sapangdaku. Today, I want to... The Future I Meant To Be: A Youth Empowerment Journey It's hard to believe how far I've come since LP4Y (Life Project for Youth) first entered my life. I still remember the day they came... A Story of Determination, Bravery, and Beauty Katharina Stefania’s story is one of hard work , courage , and determination . Despite growing up in poverty, she has shown that with... Rising Above: Balancing Motherhood and Dreams Hi I'm Beth Terado, 22 years old, from Dayap Calauan Laguna. I want to share a little about my life as a young mother. It’s not easy,... 1 2 3 4 5