Chicken-loving Vtuber @lil_chimchim_ is a variety streamer. Read more about this JBL Quantum Grant winner’s big dreams here.

What is your dream in gaming and/or esports? 

I want to go into game development and programming and continue streaming!

How will this award from the 1,000 Dreams Fund help you reach your goals? 

This award will help fund my courses in computer science and programming next semester. It will also let me save up more money since I was going to get a part-time job to pay off school loans.

What does being a 1,000 Dreams Fund – JBL Quantum Grant recipient mean to you? 

It means the world to me that I was chosen and that I can go to classes next semester without worrying where the money is going to come from.

Women are underrepresented in gaming and esports. What can we do to change this?

We can create welcoming spaces for women in gaming and esports. Breaking down the stereotypes that women can’t be good at gaming — or are only gaming to be of use to men — is where we can start. Recognizing and stopping casual sexist language is also a great habit to build.

What are some of the challenges you have faced along the way?

I have not always had a place to call home and living paycheck to paycheck was the norm for me. Luckily, my mom made her way through school and is always working hard to put a roof over our heads. Hopefully, I can do the same for my future children.

What advice do you have for women who want to work in the gaming or esports industry? 

Talk to other women already in the industry! Community is everything. Whether you need to vent your frustrations or need advice on how to move forward, it’s always good to create a safe space for yourself. And always give back. If there are other women just starting out or if they ask for advice, it doesn’t hurt to lend a helping hand to them.

How do you stay motivated and focused on your goals? 

I look forward at the future I want to have. There’s no way for me to get there unless I work hard now. Talking it through with close friends and listening to what they have to say also helps. Sometimes it’s encouragement and sometimes it’s a harsh truth you need to hear. Either way, a new set of eyes is a great thing to have.