A new 15-minute documentary produced by four BYU journalism students highlights how
BYU-Pathway Worldwide and the Help Start Education Foundation in the Philippines are
expanding access to higher education and changing lives. The film follows students whose opportunities have shifted dramatically thanks to these programs, capturing both the realities of poverty and the hope sparked by new paths to learning, service and opportunity.
As enrollment in BYU-Pathway Worldwide has grown, so has a significant challenge: many students lack reliable technology. Some need more storage for coursework. Others share
a single laptop among several family members, or don’t own a computer or tablet, forcing them to complete assignments on their phones. Those limitations made earning certificates and degrees difficult, and a solution became urgent.
The Help Start Education Foundation stepped in by providing refurbished laptops to
students, helping them stay on track in their classes and continue progressing toward their goals.
The documentary features candid interviews with students who describe the obstacles
they face in the Philippines and how having a laptop has reshaped their educational journey. Though their backgrounds differ, they share common hopes to earn a degree, provide for their families and live a better life. These goals are made possible through increased access to learning through BYU Pathway Worldwide and the support of the HSEF program