Therefore, “WoW University,” at the start of the new academic year, invites the public to pay attention to single mothers, whose own studies and professional plans often remain on the margins of the family budget, and to contribute to their opportunity to learn.
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This rule is very familiar to Lauryna. She has been raising two children alone for seventeen years. Today they are almost grown up, and her own life includes culture and communication projects, music, acting, and social activities. However, for many years, she first had to think not about her own plans, but about how to support the family.
“Most often, the children’s needs and financial obligations came first, and my own desires seemed to wait,” says Lauryna.
As the children grew, that “waiting” turned into years rather than months. Studies, professional plans, or simply more time for herself, according to Lauryna, were easy to postpone to another stage – when worries would lessen, the children would grow up, and financial matters would improve.
Alone with two children and two loans
When the children’s father moved to live in the United Kingdom, the daily responsibility for the family remained with Lauryna. According to her, the husband did not maintain contact with the children, did not pay child support, and did not contribute to their upbringing.
At that time, she was left with two small children and a housing loan. She had to work, maintain the home, and at the same time look for solutions on how to manage financial obligations. At one point, Lauryna was paying two loans – a mortgage and an additional loan that arose from refinancing the mortgage.
“The real nightmare began when my youngest daughter was born. I was completely alone – with two small children, a huge loan, and seemingly no chance to survive. But my character did not allow me to give up. When the bank slammed the door, I climbed through the windows,” she recalls.
According to Lauryna, the refinancing opportunity was obtained only after persistent attempts and appealing to the bank’s board. This period taught her not only to count every family expense but also to persistently seek another solution when the first path closed.
“I quickly learned to count, plan, fight for my interests, and look for solutions even when I initially heard ‘no’,” she says.
Over time, Lauryna’s understanding of what it means to be a strong mother also changed. If at first strength meant to her the ability to endure everything alone, later she realized that constantly pushing aside her own needs is not a solution.
“For a long time, I lived with the thought that I must not break down for the sake of the children. Only later did I understand that strength is not constant self-sacrifice or the belief that you must do everything alone,” says Lauryna.
When it seemed the hardest stage was already behind
When the children were almost grown, it seemed that the most difficult family years were behind. However, the past unexpectedly returned. The children’s father died in the United Kingdom in December 2025, but Lauryna and the children learned about his death only after four months. At that time, the three-month deadline for accepting the inheritance had already expired in Lithuania, so the children had to apply to the court for an extension of the missed deadline.
At the same time, the issue of the housing loan taken many years ago resurfaced. The main borrower in the documents was the children’s father, although, according to Lauryna, she had paid all the installments for many years.
Sometimes you have to solve problems you didn’t create yourself.
“Sometimes you have to solve problems you didn’t create yourself and fight for things that should be self-evident,” says the woman.
Today Lauryna looks at those seventeen years from a different perspective. The experience, which for a long time meant the necessity to simply solve another problem and take care of the children, has now become something she can share with women in similar situations.
Mothers want to learn too: in September, there is not always room for themselves in the family budget
More than 60% of single mothers in Lithuania face constant financial pressure, and September becomes another challenge for many. With the start of the school year, expenses for children increase, so the family budget first makes room for school supplies, clothes, extracurricular activities, and other children’s needs. The mothers’ own plans – studies, professional development, or returning to the labor market – are often postponed once again to a later time.
“In September, we talk a lot about how much families invest in their children’s education and future, but much less often do we ask what opportunities the mothers themselves give up at that time. And their financial independence, self-confidence, and opportunity to grow professionally directly affect the stability of the whole family,” says Inga Putna, founder of “WoW University” and project initiator.
According to her, some women lack not the desire to change their situation but the opportunity to do so alongside work, childcare, and other daily duties. Therefore, this September, the public is invited to contribute to their opportunity to learn – according to the organizers, even a 5-euro donation becomes part of a scholarship that allows one mother to participate in the program for six months.
The “1000 Women Project” is dedicated to solving this problem, where mothers facing social challenges can study remotely for free for six months. In the program, they also work with mentors, deepen their financial and digital literacy knowledge, strengthen professional skills, and emotional resilience.
This season, the initiators hope to offer the program to a thousand women.
“I don’t want to tell another woman what she has to do”
Lauryna joins the project as a mentor. According to her, from her own experience, she most remembers not the loud calls to “not give up,” but practical help at times when it seemed that all opportunities were gone.
“I don’t want to tell a woman what she has to do. Sometimes it is much more important to have someone who encourages you to ask again, not accept the first ‘no,’ look for another solution, or simply remind you that taking care of yourself is not selfish,” she says.
According to the project organizers, last year more than 1200 women expressed a desire to participate, but funding was enough for 500 participants. A six-month scholarship for one woman costs 150 euros, so the number of participants accepted in the second season will also depend on the involvement of partners, sponsors, and the public.
This year, the initiative was supported by well-known public figures – Dalia Ibelhauptaitė, Gerda Žemaitė, Asta Meschino, pianist Ieva Dūdaitė, Rūta Mackevičiūtė, Daina Bosas, actress Ineta Stasiulytė. For Lauryna, September today means a somewhat different beginning than in the years when she first had to count what the children needed and only then see if anything was left for her.
“When raising children, it is very easy to keep postponing yourself to a ‘later time,’ but that ‘later’ can last for many years. A woman, caring for her children and fighting for their future, should not forget that she herself also has a future. Today I see my experience as a resource that I can share with others,” says Lauryna.
Registration for the second season of the “1000 Women Project” has already begun. The public can also contribute to the opportunity for mothers to study for free for six months – according to the project organizers, every donation, even 5 euros, becomes part of a scholarship awarded to one woman. You can contribute here.
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