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My nickname is JPB, and I am 25 years old. I live in Cebu City, Philippines. Today, I would like to share about the jail systems here in Lapu-Lapu City jail. I have been in this jail for 4 years. Here, I learned good manners and values like respect. Respect is the reason why we live peacefully here. We respect the BJMP officers, Expediter, Coordinators, Peacemakers, and the other inmates. They are the ones who keep the peace here inside. Outside, it is rare to find a person who gives you full respect. Here, wherever you look, we are giving respect, politeness, kindness and love to each other. Sometimes we argue here but we never make it a bigger problem, and fix it instantly. During meal time, the rule is: first come first serve. Our rules are fair, there is no favor. All the things that we have we give care and value. Some people can say that the prisoners are bad but we were brought here to change our lives, not to be more violent. The Lapu-Lapu City jail is drug free and everyday we have a morning meeting, called Therapeutic Community Modality Program (TCMP). Every person in our dorm has different tasks: affirmation, news casting, trivia, concept of the day and verse of the day, and entertainment. After the morning meeting, we can do activities like sports, livelihood, study and do business. I personally chose to study (LP4Y) from 9:30am to 4:00pm. Afterwards, we need to go back to our building because at 5pm we are not allowed to go outside. We call this schedule “padlock”. At 5:30pm we do a holy rosary and at 6:00pm is the headcount. We also do indoor activities like watching TV or bible studies before headcount every Monday to Friday. With this, our life will slowly or gradually change. We realize that there are better things than drugs. The life changing activities will not only satisfy ourselves but also our families.

Hello everyone my nickname is CFC, and I am 26 years old. Before joining LP4Y I could not control my nervousness, especially when I was speaking in front of a lot of people. Whenever there was a job interview, I could not speak well and I did not know what to answer because I lacked self-confidence. I discovered LP4Y here in jail thanks to a former Youth who invited me. At first, it was difficult because I had low self-esteem. I could not speak well in front of people whenever there was a report or when my coach asked me to explain something, but I gradually gained confidence throughout the training and started expressing myself. In some situations, I am still shy, but not all the time. The greatest impact that LP4Y had in my life is that now I know what to do with my life when I will get out. I know what my goal is because LP4Y supported me on how to find it.

"Let me start with a few questions: Who here thinks a college degree is necessary? Who here has a job aligned with their degree? Who here already disqualified a candidate because they did not have a college degree? Let me tell you: you are wrong. Nowadays, out of 1.2 billion Youth, 700 million are coming from excluded backgrounds. Meaning that you will not include them in your recruitment process. That you would not include me, for example. And today, I will prove to you that you should have ! Population is aging. Recruitment and talent retainment are some the main challenges HR will face in the future according to the ILO organization. So you should consider thinking outside of the box of Education and go FURTHER. The preconceived idea of Youth being lazy, not willing to Work or to take initiative remains printed in our mind. But do you trust us enough? Do you give us enough opportunity to thrive? Do you use the right framework to follow us? I am telling you today that when you give an opportunity to a Youth coming from an excluded background, he or she will not give up. I will not give up. We are responsible for our family, for our future. We are therefore committed and have the willingness to champion for your brand, your company. We are proud because this might be the first time someone believes in us. Fast learning, flexibility, and responsibility are not taught while sitting on a bench. By hiring an excluded youth, you will have access to a better workforce and you will also directly impact your image and the way people see your brand. You will reach your diversity objectives, which we know are a success indicator in terms of well being, motivation and creativity for your employees. You will even enjoy tax deduction from your government! Amazing right? But you already know that. Do you want to have an impact? Do you want to follow the process or do you want to be the one leading the change? Do you want to be a follower of the next champions of inclusion or do you want to be this Champion of inclusion? Of course it can look complicated knowing where to start. Today, I will share with you a few tips on how to have an impact starting tomorrow: Contact the Youth Inclusion Network to shape your HR strategy and be connected to the Youth Remove educational requirements in all your job offers Support financially Youth inclusion initiatives Be a speaker during events to inspire and be a role model for many more organizations Raise awareness around you, you are part of the change! Excluded Youth are full of skills, dreams and talents. They are eager to join you, they are eager to show you who they really are and I am one of these Youth. I have skills, I have potential and I deserve that chance. Let me show you what I can bring. Beyond the data in your HR records, we are talking about loyalty, willingness to learn and so much more. Diplomas will never bring the practical experience that I gained throughout my life, while struggling to succeed. Today, I am able to bring so much more than a piece of paper at an interview. I bring you 21 years of practical experience that will definitely change the way you will perceive interviews and candidates. I am bringing you a new field of possibilities, full of talents that deserve to be discovered. I am Josephlyn and I am the one who can open you to this world. And now, would you hire me?" Speech prepared during the Philippines Country Forum during a workshop. Currently a member of LP4Y team, Josephlyn used to be a Youth at the Training and Development Center in Tondo.

Today’s adventure is about the meeting between three different groups of people: LP4Y excluded Youth, RedNose Children and young refugees from Bogor - RLN Refugees Learning Nest. This event was held on the 6th of June with the collaboration of JRS - Jesuit Refugee Service and Red Nose Foundation. The goal of this event was to impact the refugees by raising awareness to unlock their potential in the society. Can we call it a successful event? Big yes! You want to know more about it? Take a dive in with us! First, we invite you to dance with the 1st Zumba activity given by the Youth, followed by diverse sport activities, each of them as fun and original as the other. After a little break, sit with us for a quiz game: the best players shall be rewarded. If you are curious to learn more about the prices, make sure to join us next time… and give us the right answers! After the game, back to your feet: join the circus training from the Youth of Red Nose Foundation. Feeling a bit dizzy? Get back to your chair and enjoy the Karate show offered by the refugees. The gathering between the various groups of Youth appeared to be natural. They discussed and played together, forgetting their differences of culture and language. A breathtaking experience, full of smiles and rhythmed by a big sharing spirit. Around 50 young refugees took part in this event. We cannot thank everyone enough for being part of it. Thank you RLN. Thank you JRS. Thank you Red Nose Foundation. Thank you LP4Y. Thank you.

My nickname is ElChapo, 23 years old, I live in Mabolo, Cebu City. I want to share with you the testimony of my life. Since I was 10 years old, I have been going to school. One day in fifth grade after finishing my class, I went back home but an incident hurt me so badly, I started to do bad things. That is the reason why I am always doing bad things. My mother came to my school at noon to bring me food. She told me that this time when I go back to our house, it might take her a longer time to come back. I used to see my mom and dad when going back home to eat at night. After eating, I would go to bed and I could not sleep without my mom and dad. On the evening of the incident, it is 8 o'clock in the evening, my dad and brother are wondering where my mom is. Why has she not come back yet? We start looking for my mom when my sister receives a text from my aunt saying that mom ran away and went to Manila because she cannot take my dad's vice anymore. Everything changed for me on this night, since my mom stopped guiding me. I was discouraged by my father because he was always bad in front of me with his friends. I learned from a very young age to sustain myself by getting involved in illegal/immoral activities. My mother left and never came back. After that, I stopped going to school. One day, I called my mother and told her that if she did not come back, I would go to prison or die. She told me no matter which university to go to, she would pay for me, but I still did not do it right. When I was 17 years old, my girlfriend got pregnant and I got arrested in Cebu City. The police put me in jail. When I turned 18, they transferred me to Cebu City jail. After being imprisoned for one year and one month, I was released. My son was 7 years old at that time, and I wanted to give him a good life. But I could not find a decent way to provide for him and continued to sell drugs. In 2019, I got arrested for the second time. I am now imprisoned in Lapu-Lapu. I have not been free since then. I am happy that I participated in the LP4Y program because I learned a lot. Now, I know how to manage my time and I have a plan for my life. Thank you very much!

Have you thought of your own Life Project Plan? The Life Project Plan invites the Youth to question themselves about the goals they would like to reach in their life and supports them in building their own project. A key tool of LP4Y’s pedagogy, it encourages the Youth to take a step back, and allows them to dream big! First, they get a grasp of their skills and qualities. Then, with the accompaniment of the coaches and the benevolent space, they realize all they already have achieved and what they are willing to improve. Finally, they set up an action plan to succeed in their short and long term goals, in order to achieve their dream one day! Every year, the Youth organize two special events called "Life Project Plan Presentations" in all LP4Y centers, enabling them to share their projects with Youth and Catalysts. During these presentations, the Youth are out of their comfort zone and show their dedication, motivation and creativity to reach their dream! Catalysts are also solicited to present their Life Project Plans. A great way to further their personal development, inspire the Youth and create stronger bonds between Youth and Catalysts. No matter where you come from, no matter where you are now, your dreams are accessible. Look at the Youth, they are the existing proof! Photo credits TDC Cilincing - Stefanie presenting her LPP and group picture TDC Yangon - group picture, Hnin Sandi Htay and Thae Su presenting their LPP TDC Beirut - group picture and Hevarin presenting her LPP TDC Payatas - group picture TDC Lapu Lapu City Jail - dance and presentation TDC Cebu - Alexia presenting her LPP GV Calauan - Jenny presenting her LPP TDC Iligan City Jail - flag ceremony

During the UN Commission for Social Development, the NGO Committee, which LP4Y is part of, is dedicated to raising awareness on the Priority Theme and bringing the voices, experiences, and recommendations from the grassroots. The NGO Committee holds a Civil Society Forum, which one of the thematic sessions is about “Working Toward Concrete Solutions for Marginalized Young People Facing Unemployment.” For most marginalized youth living in poverty, their work does not mean earning a living wage. It means exploitation, very low pay, and forced layoffs. This panel will look at how work should enable youth to live in dignity and be recognized as useful members of society. Sherlyn Caasi, LP4Y graduate, is an example of success. She worked as a call center agent in Alorica and is today coach herself leading a LP4Y program in Tondo, Manila, Philippines. She will share her testimony and precious inputs on this panel on February 10th.

In January 2023, every center of Life Project 4 Youth had celebrated Entrepreneurs Day : the final graduation of the Youth who finished the program in 2022. Every centers also heard inspiring testimonies from Alumni and Partners on their vision of Youth Inclusion which will give us food for thought! Let's see the picture of this event!

On a recent visit to India, Satya Ravi took the opportunity to see the work of Life Project 4 Youth (LP4Y) in the TDC Chennai. During her time there, she was able to learn more about the organization, have lunch with some of the women, and participate in a question and answer session. Satya said of her visit : “I spent a day with these courageous young women, and I was touched by their commitment to changing the course of their lives against all odds. They live in government subsidized housing provided initially to Tsunami survivors. They are seeking the blessing/permission/acceptance from spouses and in-laws in a joint family construct and trying to win hearts and minds in their quest for financial independence. They certainly benefit from all the encouragement and support from mentors. The funds from generous donors, as the pictures demonstrate, have supported the creation of a safe space for them (and their young ones) as well as computers and other valuable resources.”

Leuza khan LP4Y Bangladesh started in 2020 and we officially opened the center in 2021 nearby Bhashantek slum, the biggest slum in Dhaka city. We then started mobilization, pedagogy, and of course, partnership. Partnership in LP4Y is a very important part. In this partnership pillar, we are working on 4 topics : Integration, MEI, Exposure, Fundraising. We are supported by our partners with these pillars across the world. We have more than 500 partners working and supporting us. What do we do with our partners, how do we work with them? Firstly we establish a win-win relationship with transparent and effective communication, and we make a 6 month action plan with each partner. Today we’ll present two very active partners, one is “ETAM”, a clothing company and “ZE PROJECT”, a gender equality initiative. They are working seamlessly and try to touch every partnership pillar. Ze project is amazing! They support us by giving training both in the Training and Development Center and Green Village. The topics are mostly social awareness and gender diversity. They are working for the excluded transgender people from the community. They are trying to integrate them personally. There are many trans men and women who are supported by them educationally and professionally. We have signed MOU (Memorandum of understanding) with them for a clear vision of collaboration. In this MOU we mentioned how we will work together on 3 company visits, 3 training sessions both in TDC & GV and 3 testimonies throughout the year. Some words from Ze project Gender diversity and inclusion are significant challenges in both urban and rural settings. We are experiencing a big gap between employers and employees. The company required skilled employees, but a large number of our beneficiaries transgender, and gender diverse communities—drop out of the primary schools. Also, there is a level of stigma and discrimination fostering our community pushback against the job industry. Employers are not ready to provide their jobs due to a lack of gender equality policies. We are very happy that LP4Y is trying to invite transgender individuals to get professional job training both in Rangpur division and central Dhaka. The ZE Project also provided resources for the workshop Understanding the Context of Bangladesh & Transgender, Hijra, and Diverse Gender Community. Our collaborative efforts mean that ZE Project and LP4Y are currently learning together and reaping the benefits of our partnership. On behalf of the ZE Project, we promised to provide continuous support and enhance our partnership for the economic development of diverse youth and adolescent girls, transgender individuals. Manager: ZE Project Etam is one leading clothing brand. They also have CSR policy. They are using organic material for making clothes or coloring them. They reuse clothes for making new clothes. They are reducing water to wash denim .They are making eco-friendly fabric which is really helpful for our environment. They are using thin plastic bottles to make stylish pants for women which were very surprising. Some words from Etam The Etam Group has committed to empowering women since 1916, and in our ongoing commitment, our Bangladesh office partnered with NGO LP4Y to give some local Bangladeshi women the chance to peek inside our world. In January 2023, five young women from LP4Y spent an afternoon at the Bangladesh office in Dhaka, where we explained the office’s various functions, had a member of each department present their role, and offered mock interviews to train the young women understand the kinds of questions they might come across in an interview for a role in a sourcing office. After this first office visit, we arranged a short-term internship with Jannatul, one of those young women. Her career project is to become a fashion designer and launch her own fashion label. She was particularly thrilled to join us, seeing this internship as an opportunity to develop her cross-functional knowledge across logistics, quality control, merchandising, etc. We are honored to have had the opportunity to partner with LP4Y, worked alongside Jannatul, and positively contributed to these young women's professional and personal development." Cameron Garreau

Link to the previous Story of Puja D. I vividly remember, when I was 13, one young man asked me what I would do If I find one lakh (a hundred thousand Nepali rupees) money while walking on the road? Simple enough right? I said I will give it to whomever it belongs and he asked me again What will you do if you find money which you don't need to return? I answered that I will do something that benefits many people in the society. He asked me again ‘’What do you want to be in the future?’’ and I said I want to be a person who can be useful for society and the conversation ends here. Or so I thought. That conversation never really ends there. I carried this conversation subconsciously within me perhaps until this date. I still remember. The day was December the 8th 2020 when I joined LP4Y and on a different note, I am grateful towards Laura who asked me to read the testimony which I wrote when I was a former Youth in the Green Village Nepal. It makes me realize it has been a long time since I looked back on my life and I started reading it. It reminds me of a lot of things at that moment and now I get to say it to myself : you did it Puja! A lot of promises that I made to myself were in it and the change, the transformation that I saw in myself gave me profound joy. When I was in job search, I saw the vacancy on Mero Job where LP4Y was seeking a volunteer for Nepal and the requirements were Bsw, at least 24 years old and fluent in English. It made me realize that I need to work a lot on myself and I promised to myself that I will come back stronger when I come back to LP4Y again. While I was writing the testimony at the end of the three months training, I already wished to work in LP4Y. After 3 months of training, my new journey started with LP4Y as a Stars Club president where I learned a lot throughout my journey. There is a saying: Choose a job you love and you will never have to work a day in your life. I didn't even realize it has been already 5 months that I am working with LP4Y as a Catalyst. Maybe that's how I relate to the saying that I mentioned above. When I was a president of the Stars Club I used to give testimony to the Youth and I always used to tell them that your past really doesn't matter, what kind of background you belong to. What matters is what you want to bring in your life and what you are doing with your life right now. One day I was talking with the Youth about motivation. Someone asked me what my background is. I smiled and said ‘’I also belong to the same background as yours’’. She asked me again ‘’What did you do after 3 months of training?’’ I replied I did group agriculture and I taught in school as a teacher and I volunteer in Rcf Nepal as well. For women's economic welfare I worked as president in a women cooperative. She asked me again ‘’How did you manage to do all this in such a short period of time?’’ and I said it's not about time, it's all about energy and self motivation. Talking about my mission, Community Life Coach is such a unique and beautiful mission. I am enjoying this mission a lot as a Community Life Coach. I'm able to observe with empathy, the Youth day and night, the growth that I see in them inspires me to be an even better person. When I see the Youth it makes me realize that I am living a meaningful life. Many Youth tell me that I am their inspiration but in reality they are the ones who inspire me because I work with them, I learn with them and I grow with them. One day I was feeling sick. You can't imagine Godavari's cold. Some Youth knocked on my door and asked me if I was fine or not because they wanted to do yoga with me at 5:15am in the morning. When I see the youth standing outside of my door in that cold my sickness fades away and they do English class with me everyday after dinner even though they are tired. It gives me pleasure to see them trying their best. I feel proud to work as a Catalyst in LP4Y. I feel proud to work for the youths from the different backgrounds of Nepal. I feel proud to be such a person who can put oneself in those Young women's shoes and relate to them. I feel proud to be able to observe their growth. I feel proud that I can say to all that the Youth never stop trying. From a former Youth To a Stars Club President and Stars Club President to a Catalyst I am grateful to be able to grow with LP4Y and I am grateful towards life and grateful towards the amazing team of Green Village Nepal and Youth and myself also for always being dedicated and passionate. I am really excited to do more and explore more. As a Catalyst in LP4Y, I finally feel like I have started the journey on the path which I vowed to myself when I was 13, when I told myself I want to be a useful person for society. Still a lot of things need to be done but I am proud of what I am doing now and where I am going. Thank you everyone !

Heart is supposed to beat in the chest yet mine was beating in my mouth. At one point, I believed I wouldn’t return home, not in one single piece at least ! The road conditions were miserable and it took me 18 hours plus to reach the beautiful village of Rabi in the East of Nepal. Nestled in the peaceful hills of Miklajung which is a rural village municipality in East Nepal, the Rai community welcomed me in this village accompanied by Srijana Rai (currently serving as the Vice President of Stars club Green Village Nepal). Srijana is one of the highly motivated youth who graduated from the Green Village Program in September 2021. Ever since her graduation, we had been discussing visiting her village to reach youth with similar interests. Time permitted us to achieve this dream in September 2022. This Training of Trainers (ToT) experience was definitely one of a kind. Actually anything I write will merely be a combination of words compared to the experience I had together with Srijana. This tribe is one of the indigenous ones in Nepal and this community in particular was peculiarly reserved. You could observe the obvious gender disparity in the families (at least the 3 houses I visited), the ceiling that young women hit when they express their desire to work independently in the city, the amount of invalid comments, when women choose to lead an independent life regardless of the resistance from the family ! The ToT in itself was a big achievement in terms of the number of people who attended it. The effectiveness? Well, it is not as easy as imagining the impact and effectiveness of it, from a remote desk 500 kilometers away in the capital ! However, one takeaway for me from this entire ‘once in a lifetime’ experience is to ask myself these important questions: What can I do as a mobilization manager to support the youth from geographical regions as this. Are we doing enough to incorporate these young women, while aligning and adhering to the essence and vision of The Green Village Nepal? What is the dream of Life Project For Youth in the end? This experience, exactly, like I hoped, has given me a window to peek through to realize how better to serve this project. And there is nothing more I could ask for ! With Gratitude to my core team Maria HITANG Project Manager Mobilization Green Village Nepal