Heartfelt Stories of Connection: 9 Years of Yolla and the Migrant Experience
Yolla isn’t just an app for making calls; it's a product that helps people stay connected, especially across borders. Over the past 9 years, both our users and team members have come to rely on Yolla in unexpected ways. Messaging apps may have once been enough, but when life takes a turn, Yolla often becomes the lifeline that bridges the gap. That’s why we’re proud to say that Yolla is made by its users for its users.
We understand the challenges of immigration and distance because our stories often echo those of our users. Many of you have journeyed far, leaving behind homes in Eritrea, Nigeria, Kenya, Ukraine, and beyond. Some of you are seeking better opportunities for your families, while others are escaping conflict and hardship, searching for safety and stability. In difficult times, Yolla’s low-cost international calls become a bridge to what matters most, no matter the distance.
Over the years, we’ve collected countless stories from people who rely on Yolla in moments that matter—whether it’s resolving a crisis, staying in touch with loved ones, or making an important call when other options weren’t available.
Take our user Jacqueline:
“As a long-term traveler, I’m always on the move. I was using my UK SIM to stay in touch with my elderly mum back home, but they were charging me a fortune to access my monthly allowance. Thankfully, I found Yolla, and it’s made all the difference. Setting up my account was easy, and their customer support has been fast, efficient, and super friendly. Finally, I can now call my mum from wherever without worrying about the cost. The call quality is also excellent. Quite simply, communications with home would be impossible without Yolla. I look forward to using it all around the world!”
Or take Anna, a Content Specialist at Yolla:
“I left my hometown 15 years ago, and staying connected with my family became part of my routine. But two years ago, when I moved to a new country, things got complicated. My elderly grandmother, who’s nearly blind, can’t use the internet or smartphone—she relies on a landline. I could only talk to her when my mom visited with internet access. Recently, my mom and I went on vacation, leaving my grandmother back home. While abroad, our roaming didn’t work, and calls to customer support didn’t help. Then it hit me—Yolla! I write every day about the benefits of Yolla and see firsthand how it helps our users—why didn’t I think of it right away?! We immediately used Yolla to call my grandmother—she was unwell. We asked my mom’s friend to check on her. Thankfully, everything was fine—she had just forgotten her medication. Now, Yolla isn’t just the app I work for; it’s how I stay connected with my grandma.”
And then there’s Daniel, an Analytics Specialist at Yolla:
“A few years ago, I had to leave my home country. Moving abroad brought excitement, but also the reality of being far from my family and everything I knew. My grandfather stayed behind, and we've always been close. Unfortunately, he doesn’t have the internet, and with his age and health, learning new technology isn’t possible. It’s been hard, especially when he’s unwell. That’s when Yolla became more than just an app I worked on—it became my personal lifeline. Every time I call him, it’s like I’m closing the gap. I share my new world with him. Our Yolla calls ground me and keep me connected to home, even from far away.”
Or Meetesh, a Yolla user who lives in Congo:
“I currently live in Congo. My mother is back home in India and only has a basic phone as she’s not able to use a smartphone. Before Yolla, I had to rely on other people to connect us through other methods, which meant that time spent hearing my mother’s voice was limited. Now, I use Yolla to call her directly anytime I want. It’s so much cheaper, and it gives me complete freedom without the hassle. Yolla has been a game-changer for me.”
Consider Anthony, a Graphic Designer at Yolla:
“I had an early flight and crashed into a deep sleep after a long day. I missed all my alarms and calls, but thankfully, 40 minutes before my flight, I woke up to a knock on my hotel room door. Using some clever detective work and Google, my girlfriend found the hotel using just a photo I’d sent her of the room’s interior. With no mobile number listed, she used Yolla to make an international call to the hotel’s landline and asked them to wake me—and it worked! Thanks to that call, I made my flight.”
Or our user Johny, whose quick thinking saved the day:
“My girlfriend fell asleep at the airport in Iceland, and her phone died, so I couldn’t wake her up. In a panic, I used Yolla to call airport security and asked them to check on her. Thankfully, they woke her up, and she caught her flight—a crisis was avoided. Yolla really came through when nothing else could!”
And then there’s Dana, a Product Marketer at Yolla:
“I decided to move abroad a while back. Recently, my mortgage payments back home unexpectedly increased. I contacted support, but for two months, I was pushed around by different people. I emailed lawyers and compliance officers, but my request kept getting lost. Eventually, I started making international calls with Yolla. Despite long waits on the line, the calls finally worked. The best part was that Yolla let me keep my original number, which is how I was identified. In the end, the issue was resolved, all thanks to Yolla!”
And our user Joan Pierre:
“When I was in Canada, I had an issue with my credit card and couldn’t reach the company. I tried everything but got nowhere. Then I turned to Yolla. I made the call, and, thankfully, got through to the right person who helped resolve the issue. Without Yolla, I would have been stuck. Ever since that moment, I’ve relied on Yolla, even now that I’m back in the USA. It’s amazing how something so simple can make such a big difference when you need it most.”
Or Leo, an Android Developer at Yolla:
“I moved to another country a few years ago and rented out my apartment back home. Everything was fine until one day the tenant found a massive overdue bill. I’m someone who always pays on time, so this was a nightmare. I tried emailing the management company, posting in online neighborhood chats, and even asking my mom to go there in person, but nothing worked. That’s when Yolla came to the rescue. I used Yolla to call the building management company (costing only a small amount), kept my original number so they knew it was me, and sorted everything out. That small but important feature saved me so much confusion and stress. Yolla is a lifesaver!”
Finally, there’s Tee, a Yolla user:
“This app saved my life! I was traveling in Europe with a data-only eSIM and needed to call Qantas Australia to change my flight. They didn’t have a live chat, and data roaming would have cost me a small fortune. I googled and downloaded Yolla as a last resort. I loaded just $4 and was able to make the call. Qantas put me on hold for a very, very long time, but once I got through, the reception was great. In the end, my two calls totalled 75 minutes, and I still had credit left. I highly recommend Yolla!”
Yolla: Our Personal Lifeline
The irony isn’t lost on us—after spending all these years helping others use Yolla to stay in touch with loved ones, we’ve realized how often we’ve needed it ourselves. Yolla has been there not only for keeping families connected but also in the most important moments: resolving banking issues, avoiding disasters, catching flights, and even waking people who have slept through their alarms.
Over these 9 years, Yola has proven that no matter what situation you find yourself in, we’re here to help you stay connected. For many of us, Yolla has become so much more than just an app we’ve worked on—it’s become our own personal lifeline.
Happy 9th Birthday, Yolla!
Gain a Lifeline, Wherever You Are
Join the many who have already made Yolla their personal lifeline. Download the app today and experience reliable communication, wherever life takes you.
