Virtualahan

Location
The Philippines

Programme
Dela V Accelerator
in partnership with Ashoka

Website
www.virtualahan.com

Virtualahan empowers people from marginalised groups through its inclusive digital education and well-being support

In many low and middle-income countries, people with disabilities face overwhelming barriers to education and employment. An estimated 90% of children with disabilities do not attend school. Between 80% to 90% of people with disabilities of working age in these regions are unemployed, perpetuating cycles of poverty and social exclusion. This problem is compounded by a lack of accessible education and training opportunities, leaving these individuals with few prospects for meaningful employment.

Virtualahan, a social enterprise in the Philippines, tackles this inequality by offering inclusive, accessible digital education and employment support to people from vulnerable and marginalised groups. Its online vocational school provides specialised training in in-demand skills such as graphic design, video editing, e-commerce, and social media management—skills that do not require a college degree and are ideal for remote work. By focusing on these areas, Virtualahan empowers people with disabilities, Indigenous communities, and other marginalised groups to gain independence and secure sustainable employment.

Since its start, Virtualahan has trained over 1,000 individuals, with an impressive 98% course completion rate. Despite the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, 60% of Virtualahan graduates have found employment, earning an average of 60% above the minimum wage and, in some cases, 2.5 times higher than the average wage. These graduates are now working in over 60 cities and provinces across the Philippines, demonstrating the far-reaching impact of Virtualahan's model.

Through its combination of skills training, well-being support, and employment partnerships, Virtualahan is breaking down barriers and creating a supportive community where everyone has the tools and confidence to succeed. As founder Ryan Gersava says, "Our common denominator is that most of us live in poverty because of our social exclusion in the workplace." Virtualahan is changing that narrative, one success story at a time.

Programme support

During the Dela accelerator, we'll support Virtualahan in refining its expansion strategy, developing new partnerships, and increasing its impact. We look forward to being part of Virtualahan's journey as it builds a world where no one is left behind—a world where every individual, regardless of ability or background, can thrive.