A program intended to provide job and technical skill training have being launched in the country.

Speaking recently in Monrovia at the program marking the official launch of the Youth Apprenticeship & Empowerment Program the Executive Director of the Consolidated Youth for Peace & Development (COYPED), Mr. James Koryor said that the program is a joint initiative of COYPED and the Liberia Carpenters Union (LCU).

Mr. Koryor who is also the coordinator of the Youth Apprenticeship & Empowerment Program also stated that the goal of the program is to reduce unemployment by providing access to on the job training by acquiring technical skills and the program targets three thousand (3000) disadvantaged youths ages 18-35 years with little or no education with a focus on motor cyclists, ex-combatants, car loaders and street sellers in Montserrado, Bong, Margibi and Grand Bassa Counties.

The YAEP coordinator furthered stressed that the program is built on the fact that since the end of the war, dozens of international NGOs, local NGOs and private training firms have been providing various combinations of education, training and micro/small business services to war-affected populations, but avowed that many of these donor-funded programs were designed quickly in the rush to “keep the youth busy” in the immediate post-conflict environment. But few have been able to provide a comprehensive package that ensures adequate linkages among available services over time. As a result, many service providers complain that their success rate in connecting trainees to sustainable employment has been disappointing. In many cases, skills training were provided by NGOs without previous experience in TVET, who found only limited success.

Mr. Koryor also expressed disappointed in the Ministry of Youth & Sports for not attending such a program at this time when the empowerment of Liberian youths is at the epic center of youth development in the country and use the occasion to call on donor organizations, the Government of Liberia and all well-meaning Liberians to support the initiative in order for the program to be fully implemented stating that currently we do not have any funding source or donor commitment.

Addressing trainers, trainees and guests at the program held at the YMCA gymnasium, the Assistant Minister for Trade Union Affairs at the Ministry of Labor, Mr. Michael Wah commended COYPED and LCU for the initiative and cautioned the trainees to be focus and take the training serious.

Assistant Minister Wah furthered stressed that there is a need for Government to strengthen and prioritized the cadet program that has the propensity to create jobs and prepare youths for the job market.

The former FLY executive also inform the gathering that unemployment is a global problem and therefore youth should now focus on technical skill in order to be self-reliant.

Also speaking at the program, the director for vocational education at the Ministry of Education who represented the Assistant Minister for Vocational Education expressed gratitude on behalf of the Education Ministry and commended the initiators of the program and called on trainees to take advantage of the opportunity that have being afforded them by COYPED and LCU.

For his part the acting President of the Liberia Carpenter Union, Mr. Edward F. Sherrif thank the  guests for gracing the occasion and called on the trainers to be committed to the program stating that they will be responsible  to build the capacities of the youths who have been recruited for the training.

The LCU boss furthered re-affirmed his organization commitment to the MOU signed in November 2012 for a joint implementation of the program and promise his partner Consolidated Youth for Peace & Development that LCU trainers will do their best to ensure that the program is successful.

The veteran carpenter also stressed that if the program is to be far reaching and sustainable there is a need for government to come in and join COYPED and LCU in providing necessary financial and technical support.

For his part the Enforcement Director at the Real Estate Tax Division at the Ministry of Finance, Mr. Lasana A. Kormah, Sr. thank the organizers for such a wonderful program that is aimed at providing technical skill training to less fortunate youths in Liberia  especially in carpentry. 

Mr. Kromah furthered stressed that carpentry is a unique field and carpenter are highly needed during this time in our country history where reconstruction is the hallmark and used the occasion to caution the trainees to be grateful to COYPED and LCU for the opportunity.

The Ministry of Finance Director also expressed admiration for COYPED and LCU who without donor funding or external support have been able to recruit and mobilized vulnerable and marginalized youth to acquire technical  skills training at no cost stating that if donor and the government can come in to  compliment your efforts you can do more. He also formally launches the initiative.

The launch of the Youth Apprenticeship & Empowerment Program brought together over two hundred carpenters, trainers, trainees, guests, officials of government, local NGOs and the media.

 

Campaign Ecology Liberia acronym, ecoliberia will give you the requisite information on environmental and  sustainable developmental issues in Liberia.

The Consolidated Youth for Peace & Development (COYPED), United States Embassy-Monrovia and partners celebrate on December 7-8 and carry out series activities commencing with a parade on Friday, December 7 from the Ministry of Education on Broad Street to the YMCA conference hall in Monrovia where a formal program was held.

The Indoor program brought together over 100 participants including the United States Ambassador to Liberia, Madam Deborah Malac, Representative Munah Pelham of District # 9 Montserrado County, Hon. Albert Jaja Assistant Minister for Information Services at the Ministry of Information, Culture Affairs & Tourism, Mohammed A. Nasser, President of the Federation of Liberian Youth including national and international non-governmental organizations, youth and women groups, students and other stakeholders.

In continuation of the celebration, on Saturday, December 8, a massive cleaning up campaign was carry out simultaneously in five communities across Montserrado County which includes, New Kru Town, West Point,   Central Monrovia, Sinkor, and Paynesville.

The Liberia Institute for the Promotion of Academic Excellence, a registered youth led non-governmental organization on Friday, October 5 celebrated World Teachers Day with students in Paynesville.

World Teachers Day which was set aside by the United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) in 1994 has since afforded students, parents, government and civil society groups to reaffirm their commitment for teachers the world over. This year’s celebration was held under the theme: “Take a stand for Teachers.”

As part of the day’s celebration, LIPACE through its excellence club project provided resources and supervision to schools celebrating the day. Schools campus were blanketed with posters containing teacher’s appreciation messages. Students were also afforded the opportunity to present e-cards and flower their teachers.

Speaking on the challenges of the day’s celebration, the Executive Director of LIPACE, Mr. Benjamin M. Freeman Jr recounted that they were numerous but never insurmountable. He narrated that it saddened him that as a nation in her post recovery era and pressing forward to the attainment of developmental goals, the spirit of such a unique occasion could not be felt by students everywhere. He is quoted as calling on the Liberia National Teachers Association to be more proactive in ensuring a better sensitization of this day and its activities in time to come.

The LIPACE youth leader lauded the support of UNESCO in providing logistical support in the form of World Teachers Day Posters and affording his grassroots organization the opportunity to have their celebration posted on the UNESCO website amongst many other global events.

He extended special thanks to all special guest who presented flowers to school administrators on this special day. They included; Dr. Lincoln Brownell, Director- Maritime Training Institute, Mr. George Y. Kermah – Project Coordinator of Liberia Educational Action for Development (LEAD), Mr. Foday C. Bayoh – Marketing Manager, Liberia Management Institute amongst others.

The celebration which occurred simultaneously across the campus of the Ebenezer Christian Academy, F-Sham of Faith Girls Academy, St. Kizito Catholic School, Maggie Lampkins Institute, Billie Call Christian Institute amongst others was climaxed with the reading of the World Teachers Day message. Students and teachers alike were left feeling a sense of happiness at the end of this unique occasion.

The Consolidated Youth for Peace & Development (COYPED), Youth Exploring Solutions (YES), and Youth Campaigners International (YCI) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding aimed at establishing the Liberia Youth WASH Coalition (LYWC).

According to the National Coordinator of the Coalition, Stephen B. Lavalah of YES, LYWC is geared towards campaigning for youth recognition and participation in minimizing water sanitation and hygiene-related challenges by increasing access to safe water supply, fostering proper sanitation facility and promoting proper hygienic practices.

He further stressed that the Coalition mission is to contribute to the development of the nation by supporting the poor and marginalized groups to access safe water, improved sanitation and hygiene as a human rights, engage government and other stakeholders to ensure that these services are delivered effectively to all.

LYWC’s head also stressed that the Coalition will partner with communities and institutions in addressing the critical barriers in achieving universal access to portable drinking water and sustainable sanitation for all in schools and communities across Liberia through making communities with related challenges realize their present situation and work towards taking action.

For his part, the Administrative and Intersectional Coordinator of the Coalition, James Koryor of COYPED indicated that such establishment is important at this critical time in the country. He asserted that the coalition was established to network with youth professionals and ideologists to inspire them to support the service for WASH program.

Koryor also stated that the Coalition aims at promoting youth participation and involvement at all levels, which includes inspiring and motivating joint youth actions and learning initiative so as to enable youth address water, sanitation and hygiene issues in Liberia. The youth advocate further revealed that the Coalition would provide Youth WASH policy options that will adequately represent the interest and demands of the marginalized communities in relation to sanitation and water resources.

The resident Director of Youth Campaigners International, Brezhnev D. Paasawe, who is the head of programs of the Coalition, stressed the need for the involvement of young people in the WASH sector as it is cardinal to the implementation of the Liberia WASH Compact and encouraged other civil society youth organizations to join the coalition.

Paasawe pointed out that the Coalition will engage into advocacy, research, awareness and sensitization in the WASH sector in Liberia.

LYWC’s head of programs also emphasized that the recent reports on Liberia WASH sector needs prompt action to be taken to remedy the situation as 1.2 million Liberians (32% of the population) lack access to safe drinking water. The report also stated that 3.2 million (83% of the population) do not have access to sanitation, while World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that 11,900 people die every year due to poor water and sanitation in Liberia.

To even worsen this situation, UNICEF estimated that 2,600 children under the age of five die every year from diarrhoea in the country due to poor water and sanitation Mr Paasawe noted.

Paasawe affirmed that the significance of civil society actors in the WASH sector cannot be overemphasized and call for consolidated effort to ensuring access to safe drinking water and proper sanitary facilities.

Meanwhile, LYWC is advocating for adequate budgetary allocation and source for funding to the WASH sector, which as an integral component of ensuring adequate WASH for all; thus reminding the Government and its international partners for consistent support.

The Liberia Institute for the Promotion of Academic Excelelnce (LIPACE), a registered local, youth led organization has revealed plans gearing towards the celebration of World Teachers Day on October 5. World Teachers Day annually set aside by the United Nations Educational Scientific Organization (UNESCO) in 1994 celebrates teachers worldwide. Its aim is to mobilise support for teachers and to ensure that the needs of the future generations will continue to be met by them. 

The Executive Director of the Organization, Mr. Benjamin M. Freeman Jr. has revealed that plans are underway for fifteen schools in Paynesville to benefit from the celebration as part of its excellence club project. This will be the first time in Liberia for students to participate in this day which is exclusively set aside for them to showcase their appreciation for the tireless commitment of teachers. 

The celebration which has been approved by the UNESCO WTD Commitee will bring together students who will have the oppurtunity to pinned teachers and flowered them before classes will be the first in a long line of years in Liberia. 

The Liberia Institute for the Promotion of Academic Excellence, a registered non governemental organization has launched an Excellence Club Project in fifteen high schools in Paynesville. The launch was made at a half day workshop organizaed by the organization for students and youth leaders that continue to strive for excellence. 

Making remarks at the workshop which was named "Raising the Bar", the Executive Director of LIPACE, Mr. Benjamin M. Freeman Jr told participants that the excellence club project was LIPACE way of creating a culture of success amongst student population. He further added that the Excellence Club has its formula of challenging students to greater performances and rewarding those that meets or exceeds expectations. It is his hope that this project will outline the benefits of exxtrinsic motivation in a post war context.

Speaking during a 45 minutes interactive dialogue session, Mr. Gregory Blamoh, Country Office Coordinator of Plan Liberia urged the students and would be members of the excellence club to press on for financial accountability as a means of backing up their good academic achievement. With financial accountability, comes a remedy to the ever increasing plague of corruption that had=s found it ways in to classrooms. 

Also present was the Executive Director of a local NGO, the Liberia Educational Actional For Development (LEAD Mr. Elijah Z. Whapoe, who urged the students to do all they can an strive for professionalism durring the course of the project. 

LIPACE in the midst of little or no funding source for the project remains optimistic that this endeavour will outline the importance of determination in the quest to create lasting impact on our educational system.

The Liberia Institution for the Promotion for Academic Excellence, a registered non governmental and youth led driven organization has extolled the high level of innovation on the part of the global grassroots, an international non governmental organization based in the United States of America on account of its ongoing project to strengthen the capacity of grassroots organizations in post war nation.

The Executive Director of the organization, Mr. Benjamin M. Freeman Jr, on Thursday attended a half daylong workshop facilitated by research students from the Dartmouth College on behalf of Global grassroots. Mr. Freeman has term the project magnificent for our post war climate. He said his organization relishes the privilege of being a part of such intuitive forum that seeks to build the capacity of organizations thereby increasing productivity and effieciency as they strive for change in their different domains. 

Global Grassroots as a non-profit organization founded in 2004 supports concious social change for women in post conflict societies. Their work is guided by a core value that deepens personal consciousness and cotribute towards  the common good of mankind and is working to establish a mindful society that will advance the advance to the greatest level of positive social change

The Liberia Institute for the Promotion of Academic Excellence (LIPACE) in collaboration with its co-implementing partner, the Youth Exploring Solutions (YES), two not for profit organizations and youth led driven initiative has release the final project results of the Turning the Tide Project.

 

This project which kicked off from the 20^th of April to the 5^th of May was intended to address the massive failure of senior students in the West Africa Examinations Council (WAEC) Exams. The initiative which launched a free two weeks comprehensive tutorial for senior high students in the Paynesville area brought together 220 students from ten different schools in the region.

Releasing the results, the Executive Director and Principal investigator of the Project, Mr. Benjamin M. Freeman Jr. commended the students for taking advantage of the initiative. A total of 220 students from 10 schools regularly participated and took full advantage of this initiative. This constituted 20.81% of the total number of senior students in these institutions that sat the exam. Of the total number of students, 53.63% were male and females represented 46.37% respectively. A total of 186 students successfully passed the WAEC Exam representing 84.54% of those that participated in the project, while 34 students failed the exam representing a total of 15.46%. He said it was noteworthy to pinpoint that 88.58% successfully passed in Math and English, two compulsory subjects. He highlighted that of the nine students in the Paynesville region that acquired Division II, four were students that participated in the initiative.

Making remarks at the release, the Executive Director of the Youth Exploring Solutions and Co-Investigator of the Project, Mr. Stephen Lavalah called for a more cordial support from school administrators and civil society groups and reiterated that it is the ardent desire of LIPACE and YES to continue the initiative. He further noted that with proper funding and support, plans are under way to increase the longevity of the project from two weeks to at least eight weeks. The YES boss lauded the support of the research department of the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) to the initiative. He said that the tremendous support received from WAEC during the course of the initiative is a glaring testimony of their hope for Liberian youths.

He noted that LIPACE and YES will do all they can to ensure increased participation of senior high students in future projects. He concluded by recognizing the volunteering spirit of the tutors that participated in the initiative. He noted that they are the unsung heroes and without their self-sacrificing spirit this project could not have been made to completion.

He concluded on the fact that with little or no funding, LIPACE and YES have demonstrated through the successful implementation of this project that the will power to finding solutions to bewildering problems is motivated by a sense of determination and responsibility.

 

 The Wrath of Sendong

 

Iligan City is known as the City of Majestic Waterfalls because of its numerous waterfalls and amazing wonders of nature. But since December 17, 2011, Iligan City is a place of horror, the city of tents. Iligan City has become a place where people are just trying to get by on the streets with thick cardboard and relying on donations from NGOs.

 

I suppose that I never really knew what the word ‘flood’ meant. I thought maybe that the water would reach just above your ankle. Until December 17, 2011, I did not know that a flood could actually take lives, properties, and claim the hopes and dreams of those affected.

 

That fateful morning, I did my chores as usual: cleaning and straightening the house. I also washed some clothes, even though I knew that it would rain later. After doing my chores, I decided to visit my friend, not knowing that that was the last time I would step out from my room.

 

The rain started around 8 pm. I couldn't go home yet, so I spent time with my friend talking about our school and some other stuff. I wanted to go home, but my friend insisted that I stay with him since it was pouring hard. Around 12 am I decided to go home. He accompanied me to the highway where I could catch a motorbike. Just as we were walking we saw two branches of trees on the road that fell because of strong wind and could not withstand the heavy rain. My friend and I are both Kenyans and have never experienced such things; we just told ourselves it's not a big deal. Things happen.

 

I rode a motorbike in the direction of home. Some of my neighbors were texting me that I should not come back to our place. But I thought nothing of it as I was very tired and just wanted to sleep in the comfort of my own home. When I reached the crossing near my place I saw people crying, rescuing whatever they could, and fleeing for their lives. The houses were damaged, including mine, some people had drowned, and some people were dead.

 

All of my belongings in the house were destroyed, the roof was swept away. I felt like my heart was bleeding because of this tragedy. I was alone, crying. I didn’t know where to start, where to live, where to eat. I don't have my family here, and I no longer have a home. My documents, my books, certificates, all washed away. I was left with only what I had on my person. I only had 75 pesos in my pocket. Although I had recently bought food enough to sustain me for a week, all of that had been reduced to nothing due to the flood.

 

I was in state of crisis. My neighbors were crying. I can’t even begin to think of those who had little children to think of. I miss them -- those children who would come to my house and sing Christmas songs. I used to play with them just outside my compound and now I don't even know if they alive or what happened to them.

 

I decided to brave the flood waters and went to my house. At that time, the water level was up to my chest, but I wanted to go and see if I could still save some of my things. It was very painful to stay awake till morning; I was tired, frustrated, depressed, and empty.

 

The only person who would host me was the same friend who I had visited the night of the flood. It was not easy for me. I swallowed my pride because I didn’t have a choice. I only had 75 pesos in my pocket. To make things worse, his place has visitation restrictions. At night, the occupants should pay 200 pesos for any visitor who stays. I took a shower at his place and thought about what I should do next. Where should I go? What do I have to eat? Thinking about all of these things added stress. I had to figure out how to provide for myself and not to be a burden to my friend.

 

I sent emails home, but later I realized that internet access is very difficult out in the province. I tried to call home, but the signal was not good. I saw some victims being given relief goods and I felt shy, mainly because I am not a Filipino. I also felt that I don't deserve it as much as the women, children, and disabled. For 24 hours I felt numbed by the frustration of the tragedy until my stomach couldn't take it anymore. I went to school and I had to queue for food that was given to the victims.

 

The whole thing was a lesson to me; people say we learn through experience. I was a victim, and now I know how it feels when you are in such situation. I want this unfortunate event to bring change to myself and hopefully to the community. After the floods, many were homeless. Almost 3000 families were evacuated in schools, municipal halls, and some built impromptu shelters on the streets. NGOs and other organizations helped the victims by assisting them with their basic needs such as food, clothing, and clean water for drinking. Even though I was also a victim, I had some sense that I need to help. I needed to help because people helped me too. I volunteered to help the victims and observed that the relief goods were not enough. It was my observation that the victims of the flood should still be given more so as to help them rebuild their lives.

 

The children need counseling because of the trauma they've been through. Some lost their parents. As a volunteer, I tried as much as possible to give them comfort and make them feel that everything will be fine.

 

People in the evacuation centers should also be educated about hygiene. They should not go back to the places affected by floods because of the disease leptospirosis (a disease caused by the urine of rats, common in flood waters).

 

I believe that the city’s government is doing what they can do to prevent such scenarios in the future, but a lot of help is needed from the private sector as well. The people should be taught about the importance of taking care of the forest and help the government implement stricter rules against illegal logging. As they always say, "prevention is better than cure".

 

I believe that what happened to Iligan City is a reminder to the people that the wrath of mother nature is destructive, and can take away thousands of lives.

 

Despite the flash flood on the 16th of December, 2011, whereby schools, properties and lives were lost, there has been an improvement on rescue and rehabilitation. Government, NGOs and other local groups and individuals are doing their best to help the victims. I would like to take this opportunity to thank all parties that participated to help the victims affected by the flood.

 

I happened to have an opportunity to interview one of the organizations, Birth-Dev, which is working under the Mindanao Emergency Response Network with rescue and rehabilitation. Birth Dev deals with psycho-social rehabilitation and it mainly concentrates on children. Their work is to co-ordinate with Barangay leaders and other groups and also make plans regarding how best to help the victims. Birth Dev works together with other organizations such as RASFI, RWCR, and KRI in a coordinated fashion under the Mindanao Emergency Response Network.

 

Since Birth Dev focuses mostly on children, I was able to gather some information on how they approach the children. Experts, together with volunteers, use activities such as games, songs, drawing, role-play and storytelling to entertain the affected children. They try as much as possible to create lessons in every activity they perform in order to help the children adopt positive thinking and hope for their future. Aside from activities, the organization creates awareness on nutrition, water and sanitation, and hygiene. Birth Dev also helps to educate the adults on the same matters and tries as much as possible to give them comfort and hope for the future.

 

However, in as much as Birth Dev is trying its best, it also encounters problems and difficulties that hinder its progress. According to the representative of the organization that I interviewed, the organization lacked experts. Birth Dev has only six experts. There are another six who are still in training. Taking into consideration the current needs, she recommends that Birth Dev should have at least twenty experts who can help in psycho-social rehabilitation.

 

As I was finishing the interview, I asked her what support the organization needs most. She said that Birth Dev needs training for many of their staff members in order for them to improve their service on psycho-social rehabilitation. Financial support is also what the organization is seeking to boost their daily activities. Financial support could aid Birth Dev in giving allowances to their volunteers and staff so as to ease their movement and stay. Materials is also one of the needs. For example, Birth Dev could use donations of crayons, stationary, balls, chalk, etc.

 

Transportation is another problem the organization is facing. Since there are a lot of things to be transported as well as volunteer and staff mobility, the organization prefers to have special vehicles that can be used even in the mountainous regions. As I was about to conclude, Cristina mentioned something that touched me. She said, Birth Dev as an organization also need to be taken care of. She suggested that there should be a group which can also guide them.

 

They also want to listen. The members and volunteers working with Birth Dev want to be comforted and corrected.

 

In my view, Birth Dev’s office is too small -- they are using the same office to keep relief food and other things. It is my opinion that they should have a larger office and better place to store their materials.

 

As it is, team work is a key factor to success. I would suggest to anyone that we team up, and together give support to those in need using such organizations as Birth Dev. I believe that the hand that gives receives more.

 

 

Balay Integrated Rehabilitation Center for Total Human Development

(BIRTH-Dev, INC.)

A PSYCHOSOCIAL organization for the children and women victims of armed conflict and other disasters.

 

Organizational Background

 

BIRTH-Dev is a non-stock, non-profit, human rights institution that provides psychosocial rehabilitation to victims of armed conflict and other forms of disasters.

 

BIRTH-DEV started in 1997 after it separated as a regional center from a national organization.  Its main area of operation is Lanao del Norte though it gets invitation to conduct training on emotional recovery work as far as Zamboanga and Caraga Regions.

 

VISION

BIRTH-Dev envisioned a society in Lanao Provinces where men, women and children affected by disasters are psychosocially rehabilitated and empowered.

 

MISSION

BIRTH-Dev shall strive to pursue ER work, promote sustainable livelihoods and strengthen capacities of vulnerable groups to reduce impacts of disasters.

 

Goals

-              Enhanced emotional recovery work among vulnerable groups and communities

-              Developed capacities of vulnerable groups on emotional recovery work and sustainable livelihoods

-              Improved literacy of vulnerable children

-              Developed and mobilized volunteers for emotional recovery work

-              Improved synergy and cooperation with other service providers

 

                                

 

          

 

Programs

-              Sustainable Livelihoods

-              Emotional recovery work

a. Community education;

b. Training on Emotional Recovery

c. Emotional recovery support sessions

 

-              Educational Assistance

-              Volunteer Mobilization and Development

 

BIRTH-Dev is a member of:

-              Kalibutan Alang sa Katawhan (KALITAWHAN)

-              Mindanao Emergency Response Network (MERN)

-              Alliance against AIDS in Mindanao, Inc. (ALAGAD-Mindanao)

-              Civil Society Organization - Forum for Peace (CSO-FP)

-              Mindanao Peoples Caucus (MPC)

-              Coalition to Protect Children Involved In Armed Conflict (Protect CIAC)

-              Civil Society Organization Lanao Del Norte Partnership for Peace Development

(CSOLN-PPD)

-              Regional Emergency Psychosocial Support Network (REPSN)

 

 

-----------------------------------------------------

You can be of help to women and children survivors of disasters through:

-              sponsoring a child education

-              sharing your expertise in counseling and livelihood

-              sharing your extra toys, clothing’s and other materials, women and children might need

-              be a volunteer to the different activities conducted at the community level

 

          

                       

The Consolidated Youth for Peace & Development (COYPED) a registered non-governmental youth-led organization has launched a program intended to improve the reading skills of primary school students in the country.

Speaking in Buchanan, Grand Bassa County on December 16, 2011 at the program marking the official launch of the 2011/2012 Reading Enrichment Program, the Executive Director of COYPED Mr. James Koryor, stated that the program was initiated based on a research conducted by his organization form July-September 2011 in Grand Bassa County.

 He also noted that the research reveal the out of every ten (10) primary school students in the county only two can read properly, while the others can’t do otherwise. The COYPED boss further stated that the program will help disadvantaged and underprivileged primary school children in the county acquired the requisite knowledge and technique in reading as well as to identify gifted and talented student who may need support.

 The youth advocate further stressed that the 14 years civil conflict did not only destroy the infrastructure and economy of the country, but every sector of the country went untouched especially the educational sector. He noted that if appropriate program are not initiated at the early stage for children who are the future generation, the country will have serious education problem by having a young generation of students who cannot read. The youth l

 Serving as Keynote Speaker at the launch program, the Vice President of the Grand Bassa Community College Dr. Zechariah Gaye, commended the youth NGO for the steadfastness to help in providing voluntary services to improve the reading skills of primary school students in the county. He also encouraged the students to take advantage of the opportunity that has been afforded them by the youth organization. He used the occasion to caution students in the county that if they are to achieve their full potential they must take their lesson seriously noting that no one can became educated if he or she can’t read properly. He also donated one of his recent book published title “From a small Village in Liberia, West Africa to the United States of America” which was presented to a six grade  student at the program. He also promised to serve as advisor to the County Chapter of the Consolidated Youth for Peace & Development.

 For his part the Dean of Teacher Education at the Grand Bassa Community College, Rev, S Augustine Yeahgar in a special remark thanked the organizers of the  program stating that the program when commence will bring relief to primary school children in the county by improving their horizon intellectually especially in reading. He further called on relevant institutions supporting education activities in the country to join the youth organization in building the capacity of youth and children so they can be able to contribute to the society.

Speaking on behalf of principals of invited schools at the launch of the program, the principal of the New Testament Baptist School Rev. Wilton K. Korporal welcome the guests and thanked the youth group for the initiative and promise to work with the County Chapter of the Consolidated Youth for Peace & Development in ensuring that the program is fully implemented in the county stating the his school will serve as host for the program in the county.

 For his part, the county coordinator of the Consolidated Youth for Peace & Development Grand Bassa County Chapter, Mr. Jerrison M. Davies thanked the invited institutions, special guests and students for taking up their time and leaving their busy schedule to grace the occasion and promised to coordinate the program professionally in the county.

In conclusion of the event, the Consolidated Youth for Peace & Development distributed over two hundred local readers to students that attended the launch program. The readers were provided to students from kindergarten to grade six. twelve (12) schools was in attendance each school was represented by ten (10) students while the host school New Testament Baptist School was represented by over one hundred (100) students from kindergarten to grade six and ages ranging from 6 to 16 years. The total of ninety-eight girls attended the program while the other was boys’ ages ranging from 9-17 years old.  Approximately 210 students attended to event.

 The Consolidated Youth for Peace & Development (COYPED) is a registered non-governmental youth-led organization established in 2008, COYPED seek to empower young people to contribute positively to society by working  together with a shared sense of purpose and responsibility on matters relative to health, education, human right, anti-corruption, civic education and developmental issues regardless of race, gender, ethnicity, disability, geographical location, political  or religious affiliation.

Guardian Care is a non-profit, non-government and non-political organisation committed to supporting the orphans, poor, disadvantaged, widows and elderly of Liberia, West Africa. Guardian Care was founded in 2008 and was recognized by the government of Liberia in mid 2011. Guardian Care is staffed by orphans who have experienced what it means to be without parents, and young innovative Liberians working to empower the poor. All staff volunteer their time to assist those in need. Guardian Care aims to provide medical attention, education and training, clean water and food, along with personal support to build a generation of Liberians who can build a better Liberia. Please Follow the link To Read More on Guardian Care.

http://www.guardiancareliberia.org/

and also

http://guardiancare-inc.blogspot.com/

A registered non-for-profit youth-led organization Consolidated Youth for Peace & Development (COYPED) attention has be drawn to failure of the Federation of Liberian Youth (FLY) and the Ministry of Youth & Sports to empower youth-led organizations operating in the country.

Speaking at the organization office in Monrovia the Executive Director of COYPED, James Koryor stressed that there is no shortage of effective youth-led organizations in Liberia. There is however, a shortage of resources and funding, and small organizations are often overlooked by national and international institutions. Commenting on the 2011 political process, the youth leader called on the government and international partners to strengthen and increase youth democratic participation in the elections process.

The youth advocate also indicated that for a democracy to survive and flourish, a critical mass of its citizen’s especially young people must possess the skills, embody the values, and manifest the behaviors that accord with democracy. They must know enough about the basic features of a democratic political system to be able to access it when their interests are at stake, and they must believe in the importance of certain key democratic values, such as tolerance for divergent viewpoints and support for the rule of law.

They must also be willing and able to participate in local and national politics, and they must believe that their participation is important to the continued viability of the democratic political system

The COYPED boss further maintained that Young people are identified with higher propensity to engage in change. They also posses clear insight into the perception of change in society and the continuity of those changes; and they are the largest, most productive, most active and major driving force in society and must be empower at all level.

Speaking in a very simple manner the youth leader stated that the reason why many social and political forces or movements consider it important to invest time and resources on young people as a mechanism of promoting and influencing their causes. Hence, one of the ways of making our young people productive citizens in the affairs of their country would be to focus on education and provide impetus on enhancing Liberia’s present political process that provides our youth every opportunity to participate in the lives of their people. And to empower them to address the challenges we all face, and to train them to be agents of change and development, in a way that emboldens justice and democracy in future Liberia, and not instilling politics that inspires violence and hatred in their society.

Mr. Koryor also called on the youths to remain peaceful and tolerent as they engage into the political processes and must not be use by egotistical and ravenous politician as agent of desturction and confusion. He also maintained that it is about time that the young people of Liberia see themselves as problem solver rather than problem maker the youth leader maintained.

 

 

 

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More than 300 hundred children in New Kru Town are expected to benefit from the 2011 Children Study & Play Program

 

According to COYPED Executive Director, James Koryor the program was first initiated in 2010 and benefitted 410 children in New Kru Town and its environs. The COYPED boss further stated that this year program is been sponsored by the Liberian Education Trust-Monrovia (LET-M).

 

The Children Study & Play Program is a Consolidated Youth for Peace & Development (COYPED) initiativedesign to address the educational and social needs of vulnerable and underprivileged Liberian children. The program is intended to improve the reading skills of primary school children and keep in-school children off the streets after they leave school daily and especially during vacation.  It also gear toward helping out-of-school children play safe and provide conducive environment for a cordial interactions between in-school  and out-of-school children through study/tutorial  classes, recreational activities and sports.

 

The COYPED boss revealed that an independent survey conducted by the organization in 2010 on the Bushrod Island and Paynesville communities indicates that seven out every ten children lack access to early childhood education program, which lead them to perform poorly in academic and further undermine their quest for quality education. The research revealed that children are at the disadvantage due to poverty, inequality, corruption and other societal lapses.  

Most children on the Bushrod lost focus or concentration of their lesson during vacation and even after school hours.  Some are isolated from educational activities while other engages in street selling thereby making them as bread winners for their masters.  Some are glued to television/video clubs while other illustrates actions from movies on their friends or peers.  Some are out-of-school while other lacks access to tutor.  In fact, there is a need to put into place mechanism for identifying gifted and talented students at the appropriate age as well as students with special education need at the proper time to receive support.

Commenting on the venues of the program, Mr. Koryor said that the program will be held at the Point-Four Elementary School campus in New Kru Town the program commenced on July 18, 2011.

 

 

More than 1000 youths in Liberia join their friends around the world to celebrate the 2011 Global Youth Service Day (April 15-17). The event brought together Governmental Officials, Youth Leaders, and Individuals from the NGO community and prominent citizens.

speaking at the indoor program held at the D-twe Memorial High School in New Kru Town, the Governor of the Borough of New Kru Town, Hon. Richard Tobii encouraged the youths to be agents of change and engage in voluntary ventures that will have impact on thier communities.

also at the program the Executive Director of the Youth Exploring Solutions, Mr. Stephen B. Lavalah called on young People to engage into voluntary activities and promote social responsibility. for her part the Special Project Manager at the Liberia Maritime Authority, Madam Celia Cuffy-Browne said it was about for youth especially war affected one to forget about thier past and engage into activities that will help them achieved their full potential.

other personalities at the program include the Deputy Secretary for Finance at the Federation of Liberian Youth (FLY), Mr. Robert Pyne, Madam Musu Jugbor, chairman  of the woman wind of district # 12 Montserrado county.

in continuance of the GYSD on April 16, 2011 the Country Partner Consolidated Youth for Peace & Development along with local organizers carry out massive cleaning up exercise in communities in Montserrado County and on Sunday, April 17, 2011 in climaxing the event COYPED host a all day sporting festival.