Live It Up Foundation

About Us

Our Story

The story of Live it up Foundation began 17 years before the organization formally came into existence.

In a world where the innocent are often forgotten, a spark of hope was ignited. It was a spark that would grow into a beacon of light, shining brightly for the orphaned and abandoned children who had been cast aside by their communities, left to suffer in silence.

In 1996, Yasemin Saib’s heart was stirred by a passion for travel and philanthropy. She created a “Conscious Travel” movement, organizing trips that combined leisure with charitable work. But it was a life-changing encounter in Uganda that would forever shatter her heart and transform her purpose.

While on a gorilla trekking vacation, Yasemin stumbled upon a scene that would haunt her forever: children discarded by their parents, left to fend for themselves in the slums of Kampala. Their eyes, once bright with hope, had dimmed with despair. Their smiles, once full of joy, had faded into forgotten memories. But amidst the devastation, Yasemin met a remarkable woman – a 72-year-old Jaja (grandmother) who had selflessly dedicated her life to caring for these abandoned children.

For Years...

For over 30 years, Jaja had shouldered the burden alone, with no formal support or resources. Her love and sacrifice had become the only refuge for these forgotten souls. As Yasemin looked into Jaja’s eyes, she saw a deep sadness, a sense of resignation, and a longing for someone to share the weight of her burden.

In that moment, Yasemin knew that she couldn’t turn her back on these children. She couldn’t ignore their cries, their whispers, their silent screams. She knew that she had to act, to be the voice for the voiceless, to be the hope for the hopeless.

And so, the Live it Up Foundation was born. What began as a humble effort to support a handful of children in Uganda grew into a global movement, reaching out to thousands of orphaned and abandoned children across 11 countries.

Today, the Live it Up Foundation stands as a testament to the transformative power of compassion and kindness. We are the guardians of hope, the champions of the forgotten, and the beacons of light in the darkest corners of our world.

Our story is one of courage, resilience, and the unwavering commitment to creating a world where every child is seen, heard, and loved. It’s a story of the human spirit, of the boundless potential that lies within each of us to make a difference, to leave a mark, and to change the world.

For Years...

For years, Yasemin has loved Africa and the soulful beauty of its people and its natural habitat. While on a Gorilla trekking vacation in Uganda, Yasemin discovered children in the Slums who were discarded by their parents and were under the care of a 72 year old Jaja (grandmother) who had taken it upon herself to look after abandoned and orphaned children in the slums of Kampala for over 30 years even though she herself has no means to care herself let alone so many children for so long. Unlike many of the orphanages Yasemin and her friends had visited and helped in various countries in the past, Jaja had no formal support structure other than the random occasional good Samaritans who offered whatever little assistance they could.

Yasemin Saib founded Live it Up Foundation, an American-based non-profit organization with headquarters in Tampa, Florida, and partner organizations in the UAE, Turkey, Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Canada, Ireland, and the United States with the initial humble intention of helping a handful of abandoned children in Uganda. Live it Up Foundation’s mission grew to reach out to many more orphaned and abandoned children around the world. To date, the organization has and continues to support children in 11 countries, serving more than 2,300 underprivileged, marginalized, orphaned, and abandoned children.

We Change Your Life & World

Who We Are

Live it Up Foundation is a United States based non-profit, non-government charitable organization (NGO) dedicated to rehabilitating and elevating the lives of orphaned and abandoned children worldwide. To date, our hearts beat for the most vulnerable among us – children orphaned, abandoned, and marginalized. We’re driven by a fierce determination to shatter the darkness of poverty and despair, and illuminate their paths with love, care, and unwavering support. Through holistic care – education, shelter, emotional nurturing, and skill development – we empower fragile souls to soar, unlocking their potential, and kindling hope in the depths of their eyes. Every child deserves to thrive, and we’re all in, with every fiber of our being.

Our Vision

The Vision of Live it up foundation is to restore lost hope, In a world where innocence is often lost, we envision a sanctuary where every forsaken child is cradled in love, every shattered heart is mended, and every abandoned dream is rekindled.

Global Responsbility

We hold a profound conviction: every child, regardless of ethnicity, nationality, faith, or culture, is entitled to a life of dignity. It's our collective duty, as global citizens, to safeguard their well-being and nurture their potential.

Our Mission

Live it up Foundation is fueled by a passion to uplift marginalized, orphaned, and abandoned children. We believe every child deserves to be seen, heard, and loved. Through our work, we're providing a safe haven, nurturing resilience, and empowering young hearts to soar.

Live It Up Foundation

Meet Our Team

Yasemin Saib

Chairwoman & President

Gulsay Gurbuz

Board Member & Treasurer

Ketam Hamdan

Board Member & Secretary

Alia Greaney

Board Member

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Johnny Thomas California, USA

Nori grape silver beet broccoli kombu beet greens parsley bean potato
quandong celery. Bunya nuts black-eyed pea prairie jícama turnip leek
lentil turnip greens parsnip salsify sea.

Johnny Thomas California, USA

Nori grape silver beet broccoli kombu beet greens parsley bean potato
quandong celery. Bunya nuts black-eyed pea prairie jícama turnip leek
lentil turnip greens parsnip salsify sea.

Johnny Thomas California, USA

Nori grape silver beet broccoli kombu beet greens parsley bean potato
quandong celery. Bunya nuts black-eyed pea prairie jícama turnip leek
lentil turnip greens parsnip salsify sea.

Our Beliefs

  • Every child deserves a safe home, basic necessities, and loving care, regardless of background.
  • Quality education, from nursery to university, is a fundamental right.
  • Proper nutrition and clean water are essential for a healthy life.
  • Love and emotional support foster mentally strong, well-balanced adults.
  • Children must be guided by strong morals and ethical values.
  • Every child deserves access to proper nutrition and clean water.
  • Quality education unlocks bright futures, endless possibilities, and success.
  • No child should ever face exploitation, abuse, or forced labor.
  • Emotional support and care heal wounded souls and broken hearts.
  • Unconditional love, acceptance, and care conquer childhood trauma.
  • Every child deserves fair treatment, dignity, and respect.
  • We're dedicated to breaking the chains of poverty that hold children back.
  • Healing and growth happen in safe, supportive, and nurturing spaces.
  • Every child deserves to dream big, unlock potential, and thrive confidently.
  • Every child has the right to a happy, healthy, and fulfilling childhood.
  • Servant Leadership: With compassion as our compass, we selflessly serve those in need, driven by a profound sense of responsibility and empathy.

  • Unwavering Integrity: We stand unwavering in our commitment to honesty, transparency, and loyalty, fostering trust and hope in all we do.

  • Unshakeable Fairness: With justice in our hearts, we create a culture of openness, equality, and respect, where every individual is cherished and valued.

  • Deep Respect: We honor the inherent worth and dignity of every human being, protecting their rights, autonomy, and privacy with compassion and care.

  • Compassionate Care: With kindness as our guiding force, we provide empathetic support, charitable giving, and genuine concern for the well-being of all, inspiring hope and healing.

  • Accountable Stewardship: We acknowledge our sacred responsibility to act with accountability, self-awareness, and excellence, ensuring that our actions reflect our values and promote the greater good.

  • Voluntary Spirit: We celebrate the transformative power of volunteerism, embracing the values of community engagement, collective action, and selfless service to others.

  • Humility in Service: With humility as our foundation, we recognize the value of modesty, decency, and a lack of pretension in our pursuit of serving others, inspiring trust, and fostering meaningful connections.

  • Active Citizenship: We uphold the principles of responsible citizenship, embracing our duties as law-abiding, community-minded, and socially conscious individuals, striving to create a more just and compassionate world.