Alicia, the BIC Corporate Foundation Project Manager, is going through the fruitful partnership between LP4Y and BIC since 2018 with the local team and the Foundation ! Alicia & Ganesh When I look back at our history with LP4Y, I feel genuinely fulfilled with everything that has been achieved. We have been working hand-in-hand with LP4Y since 2017 and we’ve witnessed the Youth Center in Raipur, India grow into a place where youth can start building their dreams and futures. This partnership makes a lot of sense to the BIC Corporate Foundation, as we focus on education programs that develop creative skills in children and youth from disadvantaged kids and youth. LP4Y’s pedagogy allows just that, by empowering and inviting youth to think out of the box, while providing them with technical skills that will allow them to develop an entrepreneurial and resilient mindset. Throughout the years, we’ve had the chance to organize various activities with the youth in the Raipur Green Village center funded by BIC and the Foundation, we’ve organized virtual meetups with our team members in Clichy, France, the Foundation’s team has visited the center and offered consulting to the micro-business teams and BIC Cello team members in Mumbai had also offered mentoring to LP4Y youth in the Mumbai center. This year will be even better because we’re planning quarterly volunteering opportunities where BIC team members from all around the world will be able to help LP4Y youth with interview and CV tips, mentor them on their micro-business projects and just offer information and advice about the corporate world, vocational interests and more. I’m looking forward to continuing working with LP4Y and its amazing team of highly-motivated people!

Last October, 150 Youth from all the LP4Y centers benefited from the Capgemini Initiative involving 200 collaborators in the Mock interview practice ! Youth from LP4Y We would like to warmly thank all the Capgemini collaborators for their time and support during the Impact Together Week 2021 . By sharing their expertise, their tips and feedback with the Youth on their interview skills, the volunteers helped them become more confident in pursuing their dreams. They now know how to prepare for an interview and how to behave during and after one. Being able to practice with professionals is crucial for them to understand how to put forward their potential to future employers. It helps them to gain self confidence, to understand the key questions of the interviews and prepare them to have the right posture in front of a HR manager. This exercise really helps them to be ready for their professional integration, the main goal of LP4Y. Again, thank you for contributing to the empowerment of the Youth. We are glad to partner with companies such as Capgemini to work hand in hand to build a better and inclusive world ! The Impact Together Week is an event organised yearly within Capgemini Teams worldwide where more than 600 collaborators are engaged all together for around 50 organisations, NGOs including LP4Y. Dexter from the Philippines with Ashma from Japan “Hi Dexter, Thank you for your kind note.It was a pleasure meeting you today and hearing about your career aspirations. I was personally impressed by your dedication and sincerity during our mock Interview session. As I suggested to you during the feedback, you could overshadow your shy nature with your beautiful smile. Your hard-working attitude and behavior reflected on how sincerely you attempted to answer every question, even in times when you were not sure about it’s meaning. It is very important to ask questions when you don’t understand and be confident in what you are speaking about.” Ashma Koirala, Capgemini Japan. Sonam Thakur, 18 years old, Management Step, Delhi, Sangam Vihar, India To Preetom Goswami Capgemini Volunteer - Australia “Hello dear Preetom, thanks for giving me your time and this great opportunity. Now I know how to give a professional interview and I feel more confident for my job search. In this interview, I learnt more for my career and how to talk about my skills and qualities. I am very thankful to you !” Sonam Thakur, 18 years old, Management Step, Delhi, Sangam Vihar, India Manoj Khera, Capgemini Australia and Teena Rai, LP4Y Youth from India ''What a wonderful initiative, our Capgemini Australia & New Zealand team certainly enjoyed the opportunity to get involved - loved seeing your smiling face Manoj KHERA! Thank you Kalyani Joshi for driving and extending opportunities to our team! #impacttogetherweek'' Peta Camillieri, Capgemini Australia “Thanks a lot Kalyani for leading and driving such wonderful initiative! Will always cherish the experience and look forward for participating in more such events! Hope it helped the youth to preparing themselves better in their career path.” Aradhana Patra, Capgemini Malaysia To Vanoj Shamjibhai, Capgemini Volunteer - Malaysia “Dear sir, Doing this first mock interview on computer was really challenging for me but I learnt a lot. I was so nervous before taking the interview. I felt not confident at the beginning and was wondering the questions you would ask. Finally I felt very happy and proud to be able to understand and exchange in full english language. Thank you for the opportunity!” Sabina Kalikote, 22 years old, Management step, Nepal

3 Youth from Care4Change team in Dhaka explains us how they organized and delivered their very first training to the community of Bhashantek Sharmin Mukta Akter, TDC Bhashantek, Bangladesh Khadija Afrin, TDC Bhashantek, Bangladesh Sabiha Akter, TDC Bhashantek, Bangladesh At first we did one survey to find out about the problems of people in our community of Bhashantek . From the survey report we learnt that people in our community need to be aware of hygiene. So we look for partners to know better about hygiene. Then we mobilize to train people in our community, find space and post on Facebook about training. Then we give training from 3:00 to 5:00 pm. We thought we would give this training to 30 women . But 54 women came to take this training. That’s why we were very happy. Their ages were 18 to 40 years. They were very pleased to receive training in hygiene from us. At the end of the training we do a satisfaction survey and a report of training. Then we finally ask them if they would like to receive more training. Then they tell us yes if you train us we will take it. They want to get training about nutrition, periods and coronavirus. We will try to train you better later. If they stay by our side like this we will be encouraged and will do better. Thank you very much for being by our side.

The LP4Y Egypt Opening Team arrived in Cairo 3 months ago. Roxane tells us more about her first steps in the country! Rox de Beaucorps, Cairo, Egypt It’s been more than three month since I arrived in Cairo. On our flight from Beirut, Max and I were so excited to finally reach our final destination and start our mission. We were lucky enough to spend one month in Lebanon, meeting the Youth from TDC Beirut and helping the GV Lebanon opening team! I was glad to discover Lebanon, despite the critical situation the country currently faces. Repetitive electricity cuts and gas penuries are making their mission even more tricky than it already is. Catalysts there are demonstrating amazing resilience, they truly inspired me. After almost one month in France following the end of my Indian mission, I was so happy to come back on the field! My determination and energy had never been higher. I felt, and still feel, totally lucky to be part of this amazing opening adventure. As soon as we arrived in Cairo, I experienced similar sensations as the ones I had experienced during my first days in Delhi. Cairo is a massive city, crowded with a great diversity of people. It awakens all of your senses: the smell of pollution and kebabs, the unchanging cacophony of horns, the heat are part of Cairo’s DNA. And I loved it at first sight. Throughout our days of exploration in the city, I got to know its multiple faces. Chill cafes are rubbing shoulders with busy streets, where vans, tuk tuks and taxis are racing against each other. The smell of Turkish coffee lines up with the one of grilled meat and fried falafels. The call to prayer resonates 5 times a day, filling the city with its harmonious melody. Palm trees are edging big avenues and places. Each neighborhood seems to have its own architectural style: Downtown enjoys its old authentic buildings, Zamalek Island is home to massive skyscrapers while remote areas like Ezbet el Nackl or Dar as Salam mostly shelters unfinished buildings of red bricks. Pyramids are the historical guardians of GIzeh, majestically bursting the sky. It is very hard to describe Cairo’s general atmosphere: like most of the developing cities, paradoxes are everywhere, and that is actually what makes it so endearing. Since our arrival, we have been working hard on developing the project. Together with Reham and Max, we have been meeting different kinds of people working towards the professional and social inclusion of Youth in the country. We got the chance to meet both with international and local NGOs. Their experience and knowledge of the Egyptian context are always so interesting, as they all have their own field of expertise and recommendations. Those encounters are crucial to this initial phase of the project: opening a new LP4Y country is not about implementing our pedagogy. It is about developing a deep understanding of the local context, and more generally of the country. This implies learning about Egypt’s history, its geography as well its political and economic context. On top of those fascinating topics, we are slowly discovering the country’s specific issues: the place of women in society, the thin distinction between the legal and religious worlds, and the government's omnipotence. We are diving deep into those subjects, which will surely be at heart of our mission with the Youth. I cannot wait to open our center, and welcome our first batch of Youth. Because even though the different pieces are slowly beginning to make sense, the best way to understand the local context and challenges is through discussing with the Youth. At the moment, I feel like I’m missing the hidden part of the iceberg. We are lucky, because Egyptians are so very welcoming to us. Despite the language barrier, they are so friendly and always happy to chat. During our first mapping sessions in slums, we always get to meet all types of people, and I love that. As usual, children are always the easiest one to talk to first. Play football in the street of Dar as Salem with a dozen of excited kids, riding in tuk tuks in Manshiat Nasser, enjoy a mango juice in small achwas across the street, walking Cairo every which way, looking at the sunset from Saddat’s bridge. I cherish those small moments that compose our everyday life. My mission in Egypt is just starting, and I hope to keep learning about this wonderful country every single day. This second chapter of my LP4Y journey is challenging and full of new experiences. I’m lucky enough to have a wonderful team with me. I never thought I’d end up here at 23. Just like India made me grow at full speed, I expect this one to be fulfilling and full of surprises. Stay tuned!

Leuza Khan, Ecosystem Developer in TDC Dhaka, tells us more about her LP4Y journey as a Catalyst Leuza Khan, Ecosystem Developer, Dhaka, Bangladesh Hello everyone, I am Leuza Khan from Dhaka, Bangladesh. I started my mission in LP4Y as a Community Mobilizer and now as Ecosystem Developer, working with the Partnership & Fundraising team and I was a full time coach for 1 month as well. I completed my Honors and Master's degree from one well known institution from Dhaka, Bangladesh. In my early age I wanted to be a writer. I always find a connection from heart to pen. From my passion and my goal in life I managed to work in a very well known publisher company in our country. They published more than 100 of my articles through their website professionally. Some of the publishers (well established newspapers) also published some of my fine poetry and articles. I am very very grateful to my surrounding people who supported me a lot. I always loved to empower women. When I heard that LP4Y matched my thoughts, it clicked in my mind that I should jump on this mission as fast as I can. In The beginning of my mission I was trying to hear all of the stories from the most excluded women from our society. In fact I was also one victim of domestic violence from my husband (lately I separated from him). I listened, I understood, I relate and cried then I realized that LP4Y is the best of the best for the excluded women from Bangladesh. LP4Y is the safest place for me I must say. Because nowadays my colleagues are my biggest supporters and they understand me very well. I spend most of the time with them. LP4Y changed my life gradually. If you are being badly beaten or face any kind of violence people in a country like Bangladesh, people will still blame the victim. If you are dying for being badly beaten the society will still remain quiet but if you raise your voice against or decide to live alone, they will not be ashamed for pointing fingers at you. It's a fact! It is the hardest job to be a single mother and do all the responsibilities for the child alone in a society like Bangladesh, people are so conservative and judgmental. If you are a woman and living without your husband that means you are not acceptable in our society. I am struggling with this everyday, it's like a war and it will be a pleasure if I win. LP4Y and Care4change is going to be one dynamic gift for the community in Bhashantek. It will definitely have one good impact on society for sure. As I already said my passion is to write and one of my biggest dream would be to publish one book about women empowerment. Or maybe it would be more a book about humans and humans right actually, I am still in reflection. Thank you !

Get to the amazing Taguig team through their latest Newsletter! Training and Development Center Taguig, The Philippines

Nitin, current President of the Stars Club of Paharganj in Delhi, tells us more about his journey at LP4Y and how it positively impacted him and his dreams! Nitin, Alumni LPC PaharGanj, Delhi, India

The TDC of Beyrouth recently organized a Photo contest between the Youth. Sasha, Autonomy Step in the center, shares her thoughts about it! Sasha Khadro, TDC Beyrouth, Bourj Hammoud, Lebanon Hello, My name is Sasha Khadro, I live in Beirut, Bourj Hammoud. I'm 22 years old. I joined LP4Y on 11 August 2021, and I'm in Autonomy Step. Before coming to LP4Y I worked as a video editor for 3 years: 2 years in a company. It was one of the best experiences for me because I learned a lot about editing. Then, I worked as a freelancer for one year. It was more difficult to have a rhythm and it taught me to manage my time while staying motivated. After my friend told me about this NGO. I was curious, I visited the center with him to check-it out and I liked the program so I decided to join LP4Y. When I saw the catalysts from France, I told myself that it will be a challenge for me to speak with them and to learn new skills only in english. At LP4Y I learned many things. First day of joining LP4Y, there was computer training, for example. I learned how to make a budget slip. I also learned English. Before coming to LP4Y I didn’t know how to speak English well because at school I was french educated. Then I started watching movies and listening to music in English to start learning by myself. After coming to LP4Y I practiced more English, and in the center I tried to speak with my friends and coaches so I improved a lot ! I also learned how to communicate with people well and how to behave professionally. And now i feel more confident to speak in english and to take more initiatives. When the catalysts told us that LP4Y was organizing a photo contest for the recruitment campaign, I had an idea to use my skills from my previous experiences for my team: photography ! I am passionate about images, pictures, portraits… I am working on my own website page to promote my work as a photographer and for video Editor. LP4Y encouraged me and let me take professional pictures for the team and catalyst.I'm so happy to improve my creative skills ! I brought my camera and did like 2h shootings, I listened to the request of my coaches and I led the team to produce the best pictures together...a day full of beautiful moments. At the end of the shooting, my team told me that they loved my pictures and asked me to be responsible for the photographs of all the events of the center like graduations and many more. I loved this experience so much and I was so happy that they loved the result. It was a big challenge for me to lead and organise a long day taking pictures for all the youth and catalysts. I hope to do it again soon. Thank you to my coaches for trusting me and giving me the chance to apply my skills in a professional situation.

Be a part of the LPPP in Tondo and Delhi where the Youth and the Catalysts shared their quotes en impressions! Albane d'Harcourt, Laura Baptiste and Youth from Delhi Albane d’Harcourt - Philippines' Country Coordinator The Life Project Plan Presentation is one of the main events for the Youth at LP4Y. Once during the program, they step back on their life and their future objectives in life, what they have, what they need to improve and how to reach their dreams. First, the way they stand and show their confidence to the public, we start by being amazed by their communication skills, the heart they put in their work and how proud they are to share their life and dreams. Second, they take you in their life, before LP4Y, what are their skills and qualities, what is making who they are, what are their short term goals and dream job. But even more than that, what are the skills they need to acquire to pursue their dreams and how LP4Y can help them to develop them and be ready for their professional integration. Third, they underline their personalities, their unicity, the way they will change their own life and what they are capable of because they already did so much. They inspire you, because of their talents, their smile and their resilience to continue chasing their dreams. What I realise the most is that LP4Y procures a frame, benevolent and demanding, a safe space to try, to practice and train to become professional but more than everything, to become who they want to be. After attending all the LPPP of the Youth in the Philippines, as Catalysts, we are stepping back and asking ourselves how to better accompany them in their own project regarding each of their personalities. Above all, we are grateful to witness the Youth fighting for a better future. Of course, we asked ourselves: "And you, what is your Life Project Plan?". And if everyone was thinking about doing their own Life Project Plan? ‘’I learn How to talk in front of people like I am doing right now to you.’ Rehnum ‘’After LP4Y, I am wondering how did I waste my time before ? Now I have more ideas to improve myself and what to do on a daily basis.’’ Rehnum “ If I don’t have any confidence in myself, how am I supposed to talk with you and to reach my goals ?’’ Rozy ‘’Why did I join LP4Y ? To learn new things To improve my own self To become independent What did you overcome in LP4Y, as a challenge ? I was not able to speak in front of people with confidence’’ Sajiya ‘’In the partnership team, I learned how to convince partners’’ Dolly Laura Baptiste - Project Manager Partnership and Fundraising India ‘’ This year, I attended the LPPP for the fifth time and I really don’t get rid of this exercise that should be practiced once a year by each of us, Catalyst, Youth, Partners, Family, every human being in brief. Thinking of your Life Project, stepping back on what you have learned, what you can improve, what you would keep in the future and what you would remove is a milestone activity that keeps you aware and brings you forward. It also highlights your strengths and your confidence, and what confidence ! I wish the whole Professional world was watching the Youth explaining so clearly, with their own words but not less insurance, what they expect, but also what difficulties they need to overcome to achieve it. Their speech was a mix of sincerity, hope and clarity that really blew my mind. Would I have been ready to share this in front of an audience at that stage in my life ? The answer is no. And it makes me even more motivated on one hand to motivate them to follow their own successful path, and inspired, on the other hand, to bridge the gap and raise their voices as far as possible, to make everybody understand about the potential of Young Adults and the trust we have to put in them to make them thrive.’’

Discover the testimony of Sandhya given during the last November Meeting in front of the whole Green Village! Sandhya Painkra, Green Village Raipur Hello Everyone! My name is Sandhya Painkra. I am from a small village Bhaisamuda in Jashpur district. I have a small family of 3 members, my father, mother and I. After passing class 12th, I was at home, doing nothing for 2 years. Then in 2021, I appeared for my B.Sc 1st year exam. I was at home without any work and job, I was thinking I would not be able to do anything in my life. I was surrounded with negativity. I was sad all the time. I was thinking my life was meaningless.I did not have any job opportunity in Jashpur. Then my aunt told me about the Green Village for a better future and career in Raipur. I came with Tasila, my cousin sister and best friend. She knows a lot of things about me. She also wanted to join Green Village. So, We joined together. Initially my family did not want me to go but I convinced them. When I first came to Green Village I liked it but did not feel good because of new people and new places. It took me a while to get comfortable with the new place. Slowly, I understood and made new friends and learned a lot from here. After coming here, there were many changes in my life. Here in Green Village, I have attended many training sessions like Digital training, Ecological training, English classes, Sign language classes etc. which have given me a lot of confidence in myself. In Green village, I learn a lot, like how to be more professional when we go to give an interview, how to speak , eye contact and body language etc.. Here I build my self confidence. In Green Village, We are not preparing for the dream job but we are focussing on our target job, so that one day we can reach our goals and dreams......

At the occasion of Roquette Live in November, the Youth of TDC Malwani introduced their center and MEI to the team! Enjoy an inspiring trip in Mumbai! Leonie Sohier, Joséphane Manière & Care 4 Change team, Malwani, India The Mumbai LP4Y Team The Youth of Malwani, Mumbai, gave a spectacular presentation before the Roquette Team. November 25th 2021 was indeed another most awaited day for the Youth, coaches and the supporting Catalysts at Malwani TDC, in Mumbai. Three young ladies from Mumbai – Sameera, Ishrat and Nisha – gave an online tour of their center to Roquette representatives during this event called “Roquette Live“. Roquette is not only a stupendous and world famous plant based business, but it is something more for Mumbai LP4Y TDC . They have been one of the biggest supportive partners for Malwani TDC, Mumbai. So it is indeed a very special moment for the team of Malwani. Ishrat, Sameera and Nisha are three young ladies from the Indian dream in Mumbai, they are from the excluded families for whom to have a minimum decent lifestyle is a far fetched dream. Mumbai is the financial center of India, where the richest people lead a life at the opposite end of the spectrum from those who live in more than precarious conditions. Most of the Youth in the center of Mumbai belong to the later social set up where poverty, lack of hygiene, little educational opportunities, high drop out rates are common phenomena. LP4Y has opened its door to these excluded community of Youth where they can come and realize their dreams. These 3 Youth gave Roquette an online tour of their center. They were the ones who planned and designed this online tour for Roquette representatives and Isabelle, a long time partner who has been working for Le Petit Journal in Mumbai and had relentlessly guided them to make this event a super success. In the beginning they introduced themselves and their reason for being in LP4Y and what their future goals for the long run are. All 3 of them dream to be working as professionals in the corporate world after their 6-month LP4Y Journey. They set out to show the nooks and corners of LP4Y Mumbai center. Then, 6 Youth in MEI training activity explained at the "Roquette Live" that they would train women and men of excluded community about menstruation, reality of menstruation beyond superstition, how to handle the stigma attached to menstruation, use of menstrual pads and usefulness of menstrual cup and after that they would organize some "questions & answers" and brainstorming sessions. Ishrat Sameera Nisha 1 -- Arshiya, Warkiya, Aisha, Manisha, Saiba and Kavita all expressed their feelings about the effectiveness of MEI Care 4 Change training on the platform as well. And how such MEI training giving practice is helping them to accumulate more knowledge for their personal and professional growth. 2 -- For Warkiya: “When I had first arrived here, I was shy, my communication skill was very poor. The MEI training that we impart to the community here is helpful in developing public speaking skill and confidence in general. Here we give training to so many boys and girls in the center , in schools , sometimes we work in collaboration with other NGOs. So it has been super helpful for my professional development". 3 -- Computer Room : Jyoti and Pooja also introduced their communication room to their impressed spectators online, there are both in full job search stage. The well connected Internet system and accessible computers are helpful enough for them to contact different workplaces online or give online interviews and stay connected with employers over phone on a regular basis. Jyoti said "In Mumbai the job market is dynamic and super competitive, to stay connected is very important for us , so it is helpful to be here most of the time." Youth also explained that they make their resumes by using CANVA application on computer, they can access Digital Inc. online training sessions here in LP4Y and how it is helping them to understand many necessary topics, sometimes they also receive online training from trainers overseas. 4 -- Office Room : The tour ended at the office room with a thorough look at how Catalysts work with the Youth throughout the day for the better functioning of the center, and project. “ Roquette Live” was impressive because the Youth are the ones who did the entire planning. Coaches and Catalysts just did the follow up with them. This type of exercises always hone their skills to organize and manage big events and prepare them more to take up new challenges. This Roquette live was not only an online tour for Roquette representatives. The Youth from the excluded community of Mumbai showed that now the world around them does not seem void any more. Even Roquette personnels know and believe that as compared to the little facilities they have got in this unequal society they have managed to advance towards their dream and it clearly shows that whatever little they have they are happy, confident and ready to take up challenges to improve more and bring about some changes in their lives and community. Sameera managed to find a job in Decathlon. Pooja and Jyoti got hired by a Mumbai based beauty Parlour in this month of December 2021. These Youth are all set to step into the professional world. A small step made forward would certainly lead to a big change. Indeed, Less is More.

On December 10th, the Green Village hosted its inauguration day with more than 50 Guests! Take a look! Green Village Lebanon