Monrovia – The China-Aided Bamboo and Rattan Weaving and Vegetable planting project a technological cooperation program between Chinese and Liberian Governments has provided to students of the “Youth Crime Watch of Liberia” furniture’s made out of locally produced Bamboo Rattan.
Report by Henry Karmo, [email protected]
The items include; three Bamboo chairs, 80 Bamboo stool, three sets of Bamboo desk and one sofa set. The group is located in the Wood Camp Paynesville community.
The donated furniture was given by China-Aided Bamboo and Rattan Weaving and Vegetable planting project.
The group is a technological cooperation program between Chinese and Liberian Governments that came into existence since 2007 to provide Liberian youth with free training skills in the areas of bamboo and rattan furniture making, vegetable and orange tree planting as well as bio gas demonstration.
Youth Crime Watch of Liberia a local non-governmental organization located in the wood camp Paynesville area benefited from the donation.
Youth crime of Liberia’s program is a strategy and theory of change that recognizes the need for active, empowered and enable young citizens who have a channel for interaction with accountable state and society with the goal of reducing and preventing crime.
Zou Taylor executive Director of the organization said his group is working to enable and empower Liberian Youth and Children through experience (community development project), and access (knowledge, education and technology).
“We help to bridge power gaps while simultaneously decentralizing economic activities and post-war reconstruction efforts.”
Mr. Yongdou Nie Director of the China-Aided Bamboo and Rattan Weaving and vegetable planting project making the donation said, his group has successfully trained over 600 Liberians youth within five training cycles.
According to him over 10% of the graduates have opened their own workshops and now still receives technical and material support from the project.
“Youth Crime watch of Liberia first came into our attention due to Chinese volunteer who decided to spend his summer volunteering for this non-profit organization in Liberia.”
“After hearing more about the Organization, we felt touched by seeing what the Organization is trying to accomplish over the past 10 years, and decided to help in ways we can.”
Nie said, the Youth crime Watch and the Bamboo and Rattan Weaving project have some similarities that drove their passion in wanting to help the organization as both projects target youth and provide youth with technical skills for them to start their business and pursue a meaningful life.
“We recognize it is not an easy work for youth crime watch, which relies purely on donations and sponsorship, to continue operating for the past ten years and want to acknowledge their efforts and progress. We hope this donation of furniture can facilitate youth crime watch’s process of reaching their goal.”