Stories
The girls LYF works with
Meet the girls and young women who have found help through LYF.
Translated from Cebuano
In their own words
Girls in the program recorded short videos, in Cebuano, about what life was like before LYF, how LYF helped, and what is different now. Here are three of them, with subtitles.
One of the girls
“Before LYF, I felt I was carrying everything alone. Sometimes it felt like I had no direction.”
“The help with money meant a lot to me and my family. But more important was the emotional support: LYF is a safe space, where they listen without judging.”
“I’m not the same as before. I’m stronger, more confident, and I know myself better. When I have a problem, I know I’m not alone.”
A young mother
“As a mother, I struggled to raise my children, especially to keep them in school. There was no one I could ask.”
“LYF helped not only me but my children: school things, money when we needed it, and above all encouragement. They taught my four-year-old to try hard and that she has worth.”
“I have more peace now, and I’m stronger. I don’t cry the way I used to.”
One of the girls
“Before LYF, life was hard, especially food. When there was a problem, I didn’t know where to go for help.”
“They are always ready to listen. They taught me to be strong, to think things through, and to look for ways to help my family.”
Me now, me in the future
What they want to become
In one group activity each girl drew herself now and herself in the future, and wrote why. Here are six, with what they wrote, translated from Cebuano where needed.
When help can't wait
Surgery, a house that could not stand another storm, a baby on the way: LYF helps with what a girl or her family asks for, and staff follow up.
Angela's surgery
August to November 2025. PhilHealth covered most of it; LYF helped the family apply and paid the rest.
A safer house, and a fruit stall
February 2026. A family's house rebuilt on steel posts, and the mother's market stall.
Young mothers who keep learning
2025 and 2026. Help through pregnancy and the first months, and study around the baby.
A Lily blooms again
September 2024. Brain surgery after an accident, and LYF's part in paying for it.
Some of the girls LYF supports
Dynez's story
A mother, keeping her children fed and her home running.
Dimple's story
Help with her family's health costs, from medicine to a checkup.
Cris's story
When food ran short at home, LYF made sure her family had rice.
Casey's story
She and her family got through a stretch when even the basics were out of reach.
Britney's story
A student who finished an important school project, with help for meals at home.
Birthlyn's story
Caring for her son, with medicine and diapers covered.
Andrea's story
Raising a young family, and keeping up with home and school costs.
Alyzsa's story
A student, keeping up with school while her family had money trouble.
Imee's story
Getting medicine for herself and her son, and rice for the family.
Jamila's story
A mother still in school, studying while she cares for her baby.
Jessa's story
A mother, caring for her baby while helping her family get by.
Jessica's story
She turned to LYF when a family member needed medical care.
Jessil's story
Her family could still put rice on the table when food money ran short.
Juanter's story
Caring for her child when money was short, with milk and diapers.
Justina's story
A student, finishing her school requirements with less money pressure.
Kiea's story
Looking after her baby, with food, diapers and medicine.
Lin's story
Keeping her household going when money ran short, with help toward the rent.
Mona's story
A student, staying in school while she helps her family cope.
Trixie's story
A student, keeping up with school while managing her health costs.
Vanessa's story
Getting the treatment she needed: medicine, medical tests and a specialist's care.
Vionna's story
Making sure her baby has milk, cereal and diapers.
Lessons
The study session runs online every week. Many sessions teach one practical thing, from spotting a loan-app trap to finding work that fits, and end with a short review. Most weeks there is also a group activity, often a short video each girl makes of herself. Lessons since June, and how many came.
- How to Know What Kind of Job Is Right for YouOctober 9, 202648 girls
- When the Father of My Child Does Not Provide SupportOctober 2, 202648 girls
- Planning Ahead: Avoiding a Second Unplanned PregnancySeptember 25, 202644 girls72 at the activity
- How to Ask for Help from the Barangay, Government Offices and OrganizationsSeptember 18, 202645 girls72 at the activity
- How to Avoid Being Taken Advantage of When You Need MoneySeptember 11, 202645 girls71 at the activity
- AI for Building Confidence and Self-DevelopmentSeptember 4, 202640 girls60 at the activity
- Demystifying Medical InformationAugust 28, 202640 girls
- Small Service Work Opportunities in the CommunityAugust 1, 202635 girls
- AI for Livelihood ProjectsJuly 24, 202634 girls
- AI for Job ApplicationsJuly 17, 202631 girls
- Family Financial Planning with AIJuly 10, 202628 girls
- AI for Women’s EmpowermentJuly 3, 202631 girls
- Introduction to Artificial IntelligenceJune 26, 202630 girls
- Online Loan Apps and HarassmentJune 11, 202630 girls
Give $50 a month for a girl in Cebu.
$50 a month covers one girl: her study allowance, food for her family, school costs, health care when she needs it, and the staff in Cebu who teach and mentor her.