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Jestoni Gande followed LP4Y program at Illigan City Jail. He shares about what has changed in his life since he joined LP4Y training, the reaction of his family, how LP4Y guided him, challenges experienced while following the program in jail, and talks about the recent contribution of the United Nations to LP4Y center and overall Illigan City Jail. Since the making of this video, Jestoni has been released from jail, now ready to tackle upcoming challenges with a great deal of motivation!

“Bridging opportunities” - At LP4Y, we believe that together we can reach a brighter future and work together towards Youth inclusion. We say that the Catalysts are building the bridge between the integrated and excluded world. After a first approach and visit to TDC Jakarta by Ludovic Bouvier from ID Logistics and his team, we realized that we were willing to overcome the same challenges in helping excluded Youths. On this day, we decided on both sides, to put the first foundation of this bridge and start working together for the same cause. But who else can talk about it better than Ludovic Bouvier himself? Let’s discover his interview, managed by Indah Sinaga, Coach at the Training and Development Center in Jakarta.  Indah Sinaga, Coach - TDC Jakarta Good morning, Ludovic. Thank you for joining us today. To start, can you share a bit about your background and your current role at ID Logistics Indonesia? Ludovic Bouvier, Director - ID Logistics My name is Ludovic Bouvier. I am the Director of ID Logistics in Indonesia. Our company is deeply committed to values like solidarity and entrepreneurship . We believe that being a good employee, and even more importantly a good human being, comes from a willingness to do better, to always move forward and to learn from others. Indah S. You mentioned that ID Logistics values equal opportunities, particularly in helping the Youth. Can you elaborate on how this partnership with LP4Y started and what motivated you to work together? Ludovic B. In ID Logistics, Inclusivity has always been part of our company values. We are a company providing logistics services thus our people, our know-how is key to our strategy.  End of 2023, together with the LP4Y team we elaborated a collaboration aiming at helping excluded Youths. At ID Logistics, we share a similar mission of providing equal opportunities, especially for young people. We saw this partnership as a chance to support the Youth in developing their skills and improving their chances of not just finding employment, but also securing decent jobs in the future. What particularly resonated with me was LP4Y's approach — they were not just asking for financial support, but for a tangible, hands-on way to contribute to these young people’s lives. I was particularly impressed by the professionalism of the LP4Y volunteers and the global training pedagogy for the Youths. “Learning by doing” - that is what they told us on our arrival. And step by step, we really saw what it meant. I thought the pedagogy was really innovative, adapted to the environment , and the main thing was to support the Youths to have a positive and professional behaviour.  Together with the ID Logistics team, we truly believe and want to involve ourselves in projects that have a real long-term impact and human dimension . This is what we found at LP4Y and made us willing to be part of this ecosystem. Indah S. That’s a very impactful approach. What specific actions have you taken to support these Youths through ID Logistics? Ludovic B. When we first visited the LP4Y center, the team was surprised by the differences in life experiences. They quickly understood the situation and decided to be a driving force in this adventure. Thus, we decided to integrate Youth interns from LP4Y into our team, not as mere interns but as colleagues. Currently, we have three Youths (1 Youth in ID Logistics office and 2 Youths working in ID Logistics warehouse) who are working closely with our employees. The goal is to immerse them fully into the working environment, so they do not just gain skills but also experience working with people from diverse backgrounds . The global feedback from the team is that they are so happy with the Youths' job so far! Indah S. What is it about these Youths that drives you to give them these opportunities? Ludovic B. It’s all about the spirit of education in a tangible way. I believe in giving young people, especially those from disadvantaged areas, the chance to prove themselves . The most important thing we can do is train them, show them different environments and rules to have a positive mindset and to continuously learn — qualities that LP4Y emphasizes. Their potential is strong and we want to help them raise and find it. Indah S. How has this integration been received by your existing employees? What has been the impact on the workplace culture? Ludovic B. So far, the integration has been very positive. Our employees have embraced the interns as part of the team . They are not just treating them as temporary workers but as colleagues who are here to learn and contribute. This has created a more inclusive environment and brought fresh perspectives to our team. The Youths bring a different energy, and it has been a learning experience for everyone involved. Indah S. What are your expectations for these Youths after their internship at ID Logistics? Ludovic B. My hope is that after their training, they will be well-equipped to find stable jobs and continue to grow in their careers . I expect that they will leave ID Logistics not just with skills but with a positive mindset and the confidence to pursue their goals. It is not just about the immediate impact, we wish to set them on a path toward a brighter future. Indah S. What message would you like to share with other companies considering similar initiatives? Ludovic B. Don’t hesitate!  It is our duty as companies to contribute and prepare the next generation. This is not about charity, it is about creating real opportunities and building a more inclusive society. Engaging in projects like this is not only beneficial for the Youth but also for the company, as it brings fresh perspectives and energy to the workplace and teams. It is important to give back some of what we have for a more balanced environment. Indah S. What is your message to the future generation? Ludovic B. My only expectation is that the interns we work with will be able to find stable jobs thanks to our shared moment together. Nothing more. I wish this support given by ID Logistics could mean something for the Youths' life.

My name is Kay Khine Yee Yee Thein. I am 20 years old. I live in Yangon with my big family. Now, I am in Responsibility Step. I would like to share with you how I faced my challenges in LP4Y. Challenges in LP4Y are harder than I expected . First of all, I want to tell you about my life before LP4Y. Before LP4Y, I was a homebody and lived in my comfort zone. I wasted my time staying in bed using my phone. I want to improve something but I know staying in bed doesn't make my future better. Before LP4Y, I was really interested in learning French and learning from Duolingo. I found out about this program from my friend from the church where I usually go every Sunday. I was really happy to come to the center. My grandmother expected a lot from this program. She is thinking I'm going to get a job from this program. I explained to her later it depends on my efforts. I have a big family so I have to provide for them . From my home to the center it takes around 2 hours every day by bus . On my first day of this program, I was shocked because the Coach and Youths were greeting each other in English and I was worried whether I could do it. My worries are not yet here. After two days, foreign Catalysts came to the center. I tried my best to communicate with them. We did a lot of communication and activities. Mostly it is about our dream job and how to know our career. Catalysts and Coaches helped me a lot with speaking English. Sometimes we laugh when we are doing something wrong, but Coaches taught us not to laugh while others are speaking English . We must  encourage them. Not to rush in speaking English and to be calm. They trained us in speaking, like tenses and how to use modal verbs for our daily conversation. Because we have to communicate in English during the program. During training time, I learned how to use Google calendar, sheets and slides and how to manage my time . From a home person to working with a team there were a lot of challenges. In LP4Y we have to work with teams. I have to communicate with my teammates. As a Learning and Development team, we have to discuss a lot. Many different opinions and many misunderstandings . About community training, we have to think about which templates we're going to use and who will search for information about the topic. My teammates were very helpful to me personally and professionally. During the first two months at LP4Y, I changed and improved some of my habits as well skills like flexibility and active listening to others, teamwork skills, management skills, and also improved self-esteem . Also I changed my morning routine , I have to get up early to go to the bus stop. Following the center's rules and regulations will improve my habits significantly. After LP4Y, my long-term goal is to be a flight attendant. My short-term goal is to advance in English and to get a decent job.

Essential context of the 2024 protests in Bangladesh To fully understand the background of Bangladesh, we need to go even further back in time to 1947, when India won its independence from the British. This huge country was partitioned: East Bengal became part of Pakistan, known as East Pakistan, while West Pakistan was the dominant part of the country. However, linguistic, cultural, and political disparities raised tensions . In 1971, after a brutal conflict and a bloody war of independence (millions of Bangladeshis died), East Pakistan seceded to become Bangladesh. Under the leadership of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, called “the Father of the Nation” for his big play in the liberation of the country, the new nation struggled with poverty and rebuilding. Over the decades, Bangladesh experienced military coups, political turmoil, and the rise of major political parties — the Awami League and the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP). In the 2000s and 2010s, Bangladesh saw significant economic growth and improvements in social indicators , but also faced challenges like political violence, corruption, and the impacts of climate change . By 2024, Sheikh Hasina, the daughter of Mujibur Rahman, had led the country for many years, steering it through both progress and political unrest, with the nation continuing to struggle with issues of governance, democracy, and social equity. The protests come from long-running resentment over a quota system  that saw 56% of government positions in Bangladesh reserved for various groups, including 30% for the descendants of “freedom fighters” who fought in the 1971 War of Independence. This quota system has proved an enormous barrier to highly coveted civil service positions for the country’s large Youth population, many of whom are unemployed. It had also become a subject of controversy due to the large number of quota jobs going to supporters of the ruling Awami League party. Under immense pressure from an earlier student mobilization over the issue, Hasina abolished the entire quota system in 2018. But in June 2024, the country’s high court overturned this decision , sparking a fresh round of big and violent protests across the country. Main events: July-August 2024 Violent Protests: Hundreds Killed and Wounded July 1, 2024: Protests began, led by students, in response to the government's controversial quota laws. Initially focused on educational and job quotas, the demonstrations quickly spread to broader issues of economic hardship and political corruption. July 5-10, 2024: Violence between opposing factions of protesters intensified, resulting in deadly clashes. The situation escalated further with the involvement of police and military forces, leading to numerous deaths and injuries. Lockdown and Internet Shutdown: LP4Y Training and Development Center closed  July 10-15, 2024: The government imposed a six-day lockdown and cut off internet access nationwide in an attempt to quell the unrest. Despite these measures, protests continued to gain momentum. The LP4Y’s Catalysts had to close the TDC for the safety of the Youth and remain confined (instructions from the French Embassy). August 1, 2024: The national parliament was attacked and partially damaged by protesters, who also looted the building, symbolizing the breakdown of governmental authority. Prime Minister’s Departure: Interim Government and New Hopes  August 5, 2024: Under immense pressure and fearing for her safety, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina resigned and fled to India. Her departure was seen by many as the end of an era and was celebrated by protesters, with some referring to it as the "Second Independence of Bangladesh." August 6-7, 2024: Following Hasina's departure, there was a surge in violence, particularly targeting minorities, as Hindus, and her supporters (see below the testimony of one Youth). Vandalism and robberies became widespread as the country descended further into chaos.  August 8-10, 2024: Amidst the ongoing disorder, students and other citizens began organizing to restore some semblance of order. They took on roles in maintaining security, managing traffic, and cleaning public spaces, working to stabilize the situation from the ground up. August 12, 2024: The army took control and established an interim government, tasked with restoring order and leading the country through this crisis. In response to a request from the students, Nobel Peace Prize laureate Professor Muhammad Yunus agreed to lead the temporary government, bringing a sense of hope for a peaceful and democratic transition. Testimony of Asha Moni, Youth in the Training and Development Center Dhaka Hello everyone, my name is Asha Moni. I am 17 years old, and I joined LP4Y five months ago. I live in Bhashantek, an underserved area of Dhaka. During the 2024 protests in Bangladesh, my family faced many difficulties because my father was a supporter of Sheikh Hasina . We had to go into hiding for several days, which prevented us from going outside for work, and I missed nearly a month of my training at LP4Y. My father and brother run a steel shop, which is our family’s only source of income. We had to close the shop for many days. After Sheikh Hasina left the country, some people, including former friends who once supported my father, found and attacked us. When we tried to move the raw materials from our shop, they robbed us in broad daylight . My mother tried to stop them, but they didn’t listen and even threatened my father and brother, forcing them to hide again. Thankfully, the situation is slowly improving, and we hope that soon we will be able to go outside and work freely. I aspire to get a decent job soon, and I hope that under this interim government, people like us, who have been marginalized, will have a chance at a better life. Testimony of Emma Vandenbrouck, French Catalyst in the TDC  Hello everyone! I’m Emma, and I’ve been with LP4Y for the past six months, working in the Partnership Team here in Dhaka at the Bhashantek TDC. These last few weeks have been particularly intense and emotional.  As a “bideshi” (foreigner in Bengali), it was challenging to fully grasp the situation and its implications . We had to deepen our understanding of Bangladesh's history and political landscape to realize the scale of the events unfolding around us. Thankfully, our co-national Catalysts, who are also our roommates and friends, kept us informed and guided us on the best ways to stay safe. The most stressful period was the lockdown , during which we were confined to our flat for six days with no internet or means of communication . We were cut off from friends and family and were unaware of what was happening outside. Despite the difficulties, this period also allowed us to bond more closely with the roomies (community life at its best!). We cooked a lot of French crepes and kitchuri (a Bengali dish with rice, dhal, vegetables, and a touch of chili) and played UNO every single day. The days that followed were still anxious and uncertain. There were attacks and robberies in our neighborhood , the TDC remained closed and, as foreigners, the embassy advised us to stay confined as much as possible. But since the official inauguration of the interim government we are finally feeling optimistic. The police are back on duty, students have resumed their classes, and the Youth are gradually returning to the Center! It’s a great relief to see life returning to normal and to feel safe going outside again. Let's hope things continue to improve and that this new government brings peace, justice and lots of great opportunities to this young and rich country of Bangladesh! More information - International News Article Le Monde - Published on July 20, 2024: Violent crackdown on student protests plunges Bangladesh into chaos ( lemonde.fr ) Article AP News - Tue August 6, 2024: What's next after Bangladeshi protestors forced PM Sheikh Hasina to resign | AP News Article CNN - Thu August 8, 2024: Who is Muhammad Yunus, the Nobel laureate leader of Bangladesh’s interim government? | CNN

I was very young when my parents separated . I know my mother cheated on my father, but I didn't understand what that meant at the time. Sometimes, my mother would take us to fast food places with her lover, but I didn't know what it meant, so I kept quiet. My mother was often angry with my father because she worked while my father took care of us. I knew my father really loved my mother. One day, my mom said we could go back to the province, and she would stay in Montalban. My father agreed because he trusted her. When we arrived in the province, we lived in our grandparents' house because we didn't have our own. After a month, my father decided to build a small house in the backyard. He enrolled us in the elementary school nearby. Since we were not financially stable, my father decided to send me to live with his cousin because he couldn't afford to send me to school , but his cousin could. I started living with my aunt, who sent me to school, bought me school supplies, and sometimes sewed clothes for me. I felt comfortable there, but my siblings did not . They often went to school without snacks, so I gave them mine every day. The kids at school bullied us , saying we didn't have a mom and that our mom didn't like us. There were times when my younger siblings' classmates called me because my younger sister was also being bullied. I once saw boys in her class force her to eat a ball of paper, which broke my heart. Months later, my brother lost his right eye in an accident . He didn't tell us, and we thought it was just sore eyes. When it didn't get better, my father took him to the center, which said we needed to bring him to the hospital. They said his right eye was damaged and needed to be removed to save his other eye. It was hard for us, but we agreed to the operation. When my mother heard the news, she visited us in the province and seemed worried. After the operation, my brother felt better. My mom decided to bring us to Payatas, Quezon City, where she lived. We didn't know then that she had a new boyfriend. My father didn't know my mother had cheated on him. When we arrived at my mother's house, she introduced her boyfriend to us. At first, I thought he was just a friend, and my mom said he was our uncle, so I thought he was one of her siblings. When I got older, I realized my mother had cheated on my father and didn't let him visit because she wanted to hide her affair . My father had to meet us at fast food places because my mother wouldn't let him come to our house. Sometimes, my mother taught us to lie to my father to get more financial support and to cover up for her boyfriend. During this time, I was very angry with my mother. Instead of teaching us good values, she taught us how to lie to our father and sometimes to other people. When my mother decided to send us to school again, I was scared because of the trauma from our old school in the province. On my first day of school, I was very nervous and thought my classmates would hate me like the kids in the province. But I was wrong. I made a lot of friends, and one of them invited me to go to their church. I said yes, and every day after school, we would go to church. When I got home, my mom always thought I was flirting and hanging out somewhere else. I explained myself to her, but she didn't believe me and hit me every day because of it. I loved going to church because I felt like God was protecting me and loving me there. Even after my mother beat me, I felt that the church was my safe place. I felt loved there, but at home, I felt like no one loved me . My mother always said mean things to me, like my teacher and classmates did before. I was very angry with my mom, and I felt like I didn't want to forgive her . She was always kind to my siblings, even when they were disrespectful to her. My brother didn't respect me as his older sister, and my mother didn't care about that. I promised myself that if my mother got older, I would never take care of her because she always beat me and didn't love me. When I turned high school, I started entering into relationships to find the love I couldn't get from my mother or family. I always sought love from other people . I promised myself that if I had my own family, I would never let my children have a broken family. I started escaping in the middle of the day to meet my boyfriend. I thought that if my mother always thought I was flirting or being a whore, even if I wasn't, I might as well do it because she already thought that way about me. I had several boyfriends and failed relationships, but I always promised myself that I would never cheat . In my third year of high school, I met the father of my child . He was the only guy I introduced to my mother. My boyfriend always came to our house. One day, he said his mother planned to go to the province for good, and he would go with her. I thought he would leave me, so we planned to run away to his mother's province. When we were about to go, my mother's boyfriend saw us and didn't let us leave. He called my mother and the barangay officials because I refused to go home and wanted to go with my boyfriend. They used force to stop us, and we ended up at the barangay station . After talking, they made us sign an agreement. I agreed to stay at my mother's house, but that night, I gave my mother my bag and still went to my boyfriend's house. I decided to stop going to school and start working after that. I started living in my boyfriend's house with his parents and siblings. At first, I liked living there, but after a few weeks, I felt like I was just a maid. After my boyfriend left for work, his mother always made me do all the chores every single day. His mother and sister didn't help me at all. I washed the clothes of his family members and even took care of his niece. I didn't say anything because I was scared they would be angry with me. So, I decided to find a job so I wouldn't have to do all the chores every single day. At first, I was very happy because I had my first job and my first paycheck. I was a hardworking person and very dedicated. I always told myself that if I saved money and worked hard, I could go back to school . But my body became exhausted, and I got sick because of the kind of work I did . So, I decided to quit and find another job. I applied as a sales lady in a small store. Unlike my first job, this one paid much less, but I kept going because I didn't have a child yet. Even though the salary was small, it was okay because it covered my own expenses. I worked there for just three months because COVID-19 came to our country. The government declared a home quarantine , and no one was allowed to go outside. Every food stock we had was limited . The government distributed food packs so we could survive even without work. Months passed, and we were still in quarantine because of COVID. I got pregnant with my first child. I felt so happy even though I was planning to go back to school, even if it was homeschooling. Months later, I gave birth to a little boy. When my son turned two months old, I got pregnant again with my youngest because of a lack of sexual education . I chose to be a housewife and focus on my children. Now, my son is three years old, and my youngest is a baby girl who is currently two years old. I tried to go back to school, but I didn't have anyone to take care of my children while I was in school, so I didn't have a choice. When my father found out about my mother's affair, he stopped giving financial support to her. He said I could get the money to support my siblings and me. Months later, my father had a mild stroke . Thanks to God, even though he had a mild stroke, he could still move all his body parts, but he moved slowly. Because of this, my father stopped working and volunteered to take care of my children . During this time, I met Life Project 4 Youth (LP4Y), which offers free six-month professional training and financial support to marginalized women like me. My father suggested I join. I had always dreamed of having a decent job, one with a contract, benefits, and good pay . So, I started going to the center. At first, I was very shy and nervous. I was not confident with my English and didn't have enough confidence to speak in front of people. But after months of training, I became more confident, especially when talking in front of a lot of people. They trained us to speak in front of others, and I became comfortable speaking in English, even if my grammar wasn't perfect. Despite this, I never heard anyone judge or mock me . Instead, they corrected me, and I really loved the environment inside the center. Being there for just six months was a great opportunity for me. Because of this, I plan to become a member of the STARS Club someday and support Youth like me . I am much more confident now in applying to different companies, even without a diploma. LP4Y taught me that a diploma is not necessary to find a decent job . You just need the skills and determination to get the job of your dreams. You can still bloom in the shadow. If you have confidence in yourself, the people you meet will also have confidence in you. Even though my past was full of struggles and confusion, I found my strength. Through the pain of a broken family and tough times, I learned that love can be found in unexpected places. With determination and support, I realized that you can overcome your past and create a hopeful future.

Alifa Salsabila Sari - Training and Development Center Surabaya, Indonesia  Within half a month after finishing training LP4Y, I found a new job and was accepted at a school where I became a teacher. The feeling was incredibly mixed and overwhelming as I secured a job that matched my skills. However, every job has its pros and cons. As a teacher, my salary might not be as high as at my previous company, but that's not a reason to doubt success, right? Success is not just about salary; it's about how you can achieve your dreams and aspirations for good and meaningful purposes. I learned what is a decent job thanks to LP4Y. During the training, I came to understand that by improving my skills, I can have access to such jobs. Today, I found my vocation and love my current job. At LP4Y, many aspects of myself have improved, especially skills I never knew I had. At LP4Y, I felt that I was in a place where everything needed to be tried and done without fear of starting, particularly when it comes to education. Education is a primary option that must always be pursued. One extraordinary thing I discovered was teaching. In my life, I had never considered teaching, and this has been an incredibly amazing new experience. From this experience, I have come to love teaching because it allows us to learn many things we never thought of before. I have come to understand the character of children, learned to balance my emotions, and grasped the true meaning of dedication.  Now for me, success is when I can pursue my dream as a teacher, happy and enjoying having an impact for my personal growth and for my nation.   My message to all the Youths out there: seize the good opportunities while you are young. You deserve a job that aligns with your dreams. Open the chapter of your enthusiasm to seek experiences and self-improvement at LP4Y, which will provide the facilities and support to help you become extraordinary. Thank you, LP4Y, for helping me find a job that suits my personality.

My name is Min Khant Aung. I am one of the Youth from LP4Y in Yangon, Myanmar. Before I joined LP4Y, I didn't know what my dream job was and I lost my passion. In the past I dropped out from school and I didn't learn anything at that time. I lost my passion and I don’t know my career and what my dream job is . I was trying to learn the Korean language, but it was not ok for me and I am not interested in that language. But I learnt because I don’t know my passion and I was trying to find my career. But that was not working, I got depressed and stressed . That time was the worst time in my life . Within my family, I had many family problems and teenage problems. At that time I wanted to go away from my family and I lost my dream, which was to become a professional artist. One day, my friend told me about community training for the LP4Y program. He told me I can join this community training. I was interested, so I came to the center and I joined the training. That training was very fun and I was very interested in this program. I asked about this program, and the current Youths explained it to me. I decided to join. First day of discovery week, I was a little bit bored and my interest was a little bit lost. But I came on the second day also. That day was very different. I thought this program is very good for Youths. So I thought I should join this program and then I joined. I got a lot of challenges at the autonomy step like communication, English speaking, using the computer and many other things. But I was motivated at that time because the Youths are very good at communication and all the Youths helped me . So I always come to the center and I am never absent. I got a lot of experience from this program and I got a lot of knowledge about time management, saving money and managing money. The biggest change was time management , because I was always late to the center. The Coaches always talked to me to be professional and to manage my time and what the solution was to arrive on time. And I tried to arrive on time but I was late every day. That’s why the Coaches told me, if I was in a company they would not allow that behaviour and they would fire me. They told me to write a motivation letter and cut my allowance for the whole day. At that time I understood and I tried to arrive on time the next day. That worked for me and I arrived on time that day. And then I was never late to come to the center and my time management was good from that time. The training was very good for me and I got a lot of experience, knowledge and I changed myself to be a professional person and to be a good citizen . The LP4Y program changed everything for me. Now my communication skills, English skills and public speaking skills have improved. I am more confident and more professional than before. The LP4Y program impacted me too much and changed me. Now I am in a responsible step and I learnt many things from this program. This is the best experience for me. Coach Aung Kyaw Oo said “Stay in the Present and think about the Future. But don’t forget the Past.” That is my favorite advice. Now, I am trying to go to the future, I discovered my passion and I already found my dream job. My dream job is to become a professional Artist . Now, I am going to my dream and I committed to myself to focus on that dream.

Nikita and Noyel - Little Angels Academy Kathmandu My name is Nikita Tamang and I am the mother of Noyel Tamang. I wanted to have training from LP4Y. Due to my son it seemed impossible because no one was there to look after him but then I learned about the Little Angels Academy in Kathmandu. I kept him in LAA where he started to get involved in various activities where he learned names of body parts, names of letters, sounds of Nepali phonics and so on. It enhanced his academic knowledge and now school feels easy for him . LAA helps my baby in an academic way also because at an early age my baby learned to hold a pencil and  to do coloring in the pictures. The healthy food of LAA and good sanitation enabled my boy to grow up in a healthy way , which made me so happy. For six months, I found many changes like eating independently, chewing in the proper way, love for little ones, etc. The changes I found in my baby Noyel made me so happy. So, seeing good changes in my baby I feel so proud! Thank you LAA for your precious support. I am now working as a teacher at a school named Sano Paila Montessori, which is an LP4Y partner. Noyel is going to school there. His schedule matches mine, which makes it easy to manage taking care of him while working . Nowadays, Noyel is not coming to LAA but in case of emergency, he can stay at LAA. Anita and Khushwont -  Little Angels Academy Kathmandu Hello, my name is Anita Shah and I am the mother of Khushwont Sah. During my training period I could bring my baby with me and keep in the Little Angels Academy, where there is proper care for my baby so I could complete my six months training full of joy. If there would not be LAA, I could not complete my training from LP4Y . So I would like to express my appreciation for the LAA excellent work caring for Khushwont.  LAA fed healthy food, made him do indoor and outdoor activities which helped him to grow well physically . Rhyme time, phonics sessions, numeric sessions and other academic sessions help my baby recognize letters, numbers (counting), name body parts. All these activities helped my boy to uplift intellectually . As my boy is a single child, he used to play alone. Now after joining LAA, he enjoys group tasks and friend circles . In this way he is growing socially very well. I am very happy! I have kept Khushwont at the age of 1.5 years old but at the age of 2, after six months at the LAA, Khushwont changed, matured and followed good habits much faster than other babies. Thank you for everything you have done for Khushwont in the last six months. I feel so blessed to have Catalysts like you caring for Khushwont. After completing LP4Y training, I found a job, but I had to leave it to return to my village to deal with some family issues. I am now planning to stay with my family until Khushwont goes to school. It will then be easier for me to manage schedules.

The partnership between LP4Y and Decathlon started in 2016 in India. Very quickly, Decathlon extended their involvement in the Philippines and in Indonesia. Since then, Decathlon has been one of the main Integration partners with 100+ jobs offered to the Youth of LP4Y and 150+ activities ran, including company visits, mock interviews and trainings. Decathlon is also one of the main partners of the Micro-Company Move 4 Change in Payatas (The Philippines) which is giving sport training to the community twice a week. On average, Decathlon is also organizing between 15 and 20 activities per year with the center of LP4Y Luzon . Since March 2024, the activities have been extended to the two centers of Lapu-Lapu in Cebu (The Philippines). Decathlon and LP4Y are sharing the same values regarding inclusion and the company is offering multiple opportunities to the Youth to be more professionally exposed. On top of that, Decathlon is a key ambassador of LP4Y , spreading the word of Youth Inclusion to its network of partners and being and active member of the YIN (Youth Inclusion Network). The three new transversal axes of LP4Y (Well-Being, Sustainability and Citizenship) enable LP4Y and Decathlon to bring this collaboration to the next level by using sport as a motor for social and professional inclusion. A bright future for the Youth of LP4Y is already emerging thanks to the involvement of Decathlon. Wendy, who followed LP4Y training in Manila and Fides, who is now her manager in Decathlon, share a few inputs about their collaboration. - WENDY LARIESTAN, OMNI SPORT LEADER - I am Wendy Lariestan from Navotas, currently working in Decathlon Pasay as Omni sport leader (OSL) of the Fitness department. I am also a former Youth of Life Project 4 Youth (LP4Y) and part of SOLARETO program. From May 2017 to May 2018, when I followed the program, our micro-company was to help the people who live in a slum find affordable and safety lights in Happyland, Tondo (Manila, The Philippines). After my professional training program in LP4Y in 2018, I got my first job in a corporate company. I was admin interim in a consultancy engineering firm for 6 months, while working in a Chinese shop as Sale staff and as a cashier at the same time. After 6 months of working, I got promoted as Office in Charge (OIC). After 2 years of working, pandemic came and I am one of the employee who lost their job during pandemic . After that I made an action-plan with a timeline for my job search, I printed 10 resumes to look for another opportunity, sent emails to partners, looked on Indeed and finally got hired in Decathlon . I have been waiting this company for almost 4 years. Since I started in LP4Y, I tried about a hundred times , and finally it came to me. That why I felt so blessed when Maui hired me to join in Decathlon.  What were your motivations to join LP4Y? I grew up in broken family since I was 6 years old, and I used to live with my relatives. Since then, I used to be a father and a mother to my 2 siblings . I had a dream to work in a corporate company to help our family in future, but in reality the salary of my father was not enough to cover our daily expenses. At the age of 8 years old, I started to help earning money by asking for water bottles that I would sell to the jump shop. I worked as dishwasher in factory company, service crew, etc. That why when I was a Youth of LP4Y, I pushed myself to study in English, be responsible towards the team, practice speaking with a lot of people even when nervous and have a perfect attendance . By the time I graduated as entrepreneur, I started to dream high. What did you learn at LP4Y and will never forget?  I'd always keep in my mind that failure is not the end of my story; it's just a good start for me . I hold onto these words as a reminder not to give up and to see failure as a lesson that helps me grow both as a person and in my work. Listening to and reading inspirational testimonies from LP4Y books, attending meetings with the STARS Club, and connecting with other Youths and Coaches are crucial for motivation and confidence. Why did you choose to work at Decathlon? I was hired in Decathlon and started working on November 2022, two years ago. Time flies so fast. I remember it took me 4 years of applying in Decathlon, a lot of hindrances, rejection, challenge. Finally I got my Job here as OSA (Omni-Sport A) and got promoted as an OSL last March 2024 in Fitness Department. For me, the dynamism, quality and vitality of Decathlon is compatible with my interest in badminton sports. Decathlon is the leader of the market and is able to combine quality of product and low prices which allow more people to practice their favorite sports. What surprised you the most at the beginning? At the beginning, I was so shy to approach the team members but I feel the dynamism, quality and vitality of Decathlon. What are the most important skills you are currently developing? Currently, I love doing the layout of our products in Decathlon. Layout means a retail store layout (whether physical or digital) is the strategic use of space to influence the customer experience. I do believe that 80% of sales comes from the Layout. Also I'm developing my leadership skills . As OSL and social impact referent in Pasay, I want to be more firm, more professional to manage the team . What is the most important teaching you have learned from your mentor? I like the professionalism of Fides, and I am so lucky that she’s my leader. I would always keep in mind the word "Ownership" . If you have an ownership in your business, whatever the result, it is yours. In this word it encouraging me to do well in my current job. - FIDES SARMIENTO, DEPARTMENT MANAGER - I am Fides Sarmiento, a girl from the province of Lipa, Batangas who dreamt of having an opportunity to have a scholarship through playing sports in the Metro Manila. Lo and behold, I was scouted by one of the coaches here in Manila and I was able to finish my studies through playing sports . Decathlon is my first job and my profile came from a referral of a friend . Why did you choose to mentor Wendy? What I admire the most about Wendy is her coachability and perseverance . That no matter how worse the situation may be, she can pull off the task. Wendy improved a lot in terms of her decision making . Before, she kept on asking me what and how to do things. But now, I can say that she can really decide on her own. What is the main thing you’d like Wendy to remember from everything you are teaching her? That even though she came from a difficult background, she can also shine . What did Wendy teach you in return? Wendy taught me to be compassionate and patient . Would you like to recruit other Youths who followed LP4Y training? Definitely yes! Youths following LP4Y trainings are hardworking and coachable .

Hello, Assalamualaikum, It's me, Muntasir Hasan Chadni.  I was a Youth in LP4Y from July to November 2022. When I graduated from LP4Y then I worked for 3 different types of job sectors and my job position also 3 different types. I worked as a Sales Executive position, Writer position and Executive officer position. Now I am a Catalyst ! I loved all of my jobs and gained a lot of experiences. All my office colleagues were very nice, and we all shared lunch with each other. If someone is struggling or does not understand the work, everyone helps them to understand the work. As a Bangladeshi woman I had to overcome many problems: like when I did a marketing job, that time, my neighbour always put pressure on my family like asking: "Why is your daughter going outside? It's not right, your daughter talking with men."  In Bangladesh, I feel that it's not only the job market that restricts women from working but more the mindset of people. We really need to work on changing our mindset towards women.  All people need to think more positively about women . To change people's mindset, here are a few ideas: As Catalysts , we can make a presentation about "positive attitude towards women" and then we need to go to rural areas and organize community events . We need to show them the benefits with some examples , and why it is important. Most of the people don't know enough information. Partners could also contribute to change people's mindset by working with Youth and sharing their testimonies about this topic, then upload them on social media for example. I think parents need to be more aware of this, they need to be more supportive. To convince them, we can take a nice speaking testimony from the parents and upload it on social media . And you, do you have ideas to change people's mindset? If so, let's work together!

Two young women from the 26th batch of the Green Village West Bengal shared their thoughts and feelings as the end of their LP4Y training is coming close to an end. Prity Khatoon * is originally from Bangladesh and was a victim of human trafficking in several places of India. She had a child there, and was then rescued by an NGO. Priyanka, mobilization leader of the Green Village West Bengal, made contact with them and Prity came to the center’s program, to find a job, feed her child and finally become independent.  She graduated from the Green Village (GV) on May 5th and found a job two weeks before as Assistant Chef in a cafe restaurant. She is now earning 12K INR/month and was able to find a flat in Kolkata where she lives alone and can support all her daily needs. A true entrepreneur of her life!  Manisha Parveen  comes from Kadamtala, a small slum area in the city of Howrah, near Kolkata. Coming from a devout Muslim family, she entered the center at 23 years old with the willingness to learn business skills and build up the life she wants to have: be a social worker and change the mindset of her community.  She dropped her global engineering studies because she did not have the self-confidence to work hard. Yet, it seemed almost easy for her to graduate with her colleague and friend Prity on May 5th. Now part of the STARS Club of the GV West Bengal, she became the mobilization and ecosystem ambassador of the center almost one month after her graduation. She is now confident enough to take mobilization actions in her community in Howrah, and already brought 2 new Youths. She will be community life coach of the center for 2 weeks in July and is on the way to be hired as a Cook at Daydreamer love your cup cafe in Kolkata. An inspiration for many Youths and Catalysts! 🎬 Hear Prity and Manisha's testimonies in the following video *Prity 's name has been changed for safety reasons.

I am an independent and strong woman who has lived on my own since I was a teenager. When I was just 8 months old, my own mother left me for her new family, and although my father was around, I always felt alone . I have lived with my grandparents since birth, but they were often absent due to work. Sometimes, they took me to their workplace, even to the dumpsite, when I was 5 or 6 years old. Between the ages of 14 and 16, I worked as a housemaid , and I felt capable of living independently. I funded my own education through various jobs, even though they were not always respectable. I worked nights and attended school in the mornings, often sacrificing sleep. During my graduation, no one came to support me; I celebrated my victory alone. Throughout my teenage years, I always felt alone and sought companionship everywhere, which led me to seek love from friends and others. At 17, I became pregnant , which was early, but I had no hesitation because my child brought a sense of completeness to my life. His birth gave me hope and ambition , motivating me to strive every day to support him. When I saw a post from one of the coaches at Life Project 4 Youth, I didn't hesitate to join. On my first day, I felt excluded, doubting my abilities compared to others. One of the youths spoke to me, saying, "It's part of the process. You're here to build your confidence and skills through training." It made me realize that I wasn't there because I knew everything; I was there to learn. Day by day at Life Project 4 Youth, I faced challenges, achieved milestones, and learned valuable lessons. They helped me understand my worth regardless of my lack of formal education. They didn't judge my background but gave me a chance to prove myself. I remember my first challenge at LP4Y: delivering a speech during a company visit to one of their partners, Concentrix . I accepted the challenge to boost my confidence and gain exposure to the corporate world. They also gave me the opportunity to intern at a bank for two weeks , an experience I thoroughly enjoyed. Becoming a Youth at this organization taught me so much and contributed greatly to my personal growth. Joining LP4Y changed everything for me . They helped me discover my capabilities and changed my perspective on life. Before LP4Y, I thought my only role was to be a good mother and that I didn't have the right to dream anymore. Now, since joining LP4Y, I have made significant changes in my life. I have allowed myself to learn new things and become stronger in facing life's challenges. I am very thankful to be a part of this organization. I now feel valued and important because I made the decision to join. I remember my younger self who had many dreams to pursue. I feel like I turned my failure into success. I didn't realize that "sometimes it's the smallest decisions that can change your life forever."