Gbarnga – A total of 118 youths have graduated from the United Bong County Association in the Americas (UBCAA) Computer Literacy Training Program.
By Selma Lomax [email protected]
Saturday’s program marked the largest cohort since the program began. The graduation ceremony, held on May 18 in Gbarnga, drew hundreds, including parents, local officials, and community leaders.
The event opened with a parade through the city’s main streets and was followed by speeches highlighting the growing importance of digital skills among Bong County’s youth.
Speaking at the ceremony, Reuben G. Dolo, Acting Country Director of UBCAA’s Liberia Program, praised the graduates for their discipline and thanked the trainers for their dedication.
He credited the leadership of UBCAA in the U.S., especially President Caimon Joe Gbamokollie and Chief of Operations Leo Mulbah, for their continued support.
“To our graduates, you are now ambassadors of UBCAA. Go out and apply what you’ve learned. This is just the beginning,” Dolo told the audience.
Keynote speaker Jeff Dekegai Juaquellie delivered a powerful address titled “Your Struggles Are Your Superpower.” Recalling his childhood during Liberia’s civil war, Juaquellie used personal anecdotes to inspire graduates to transform hardship into strength.
“Fear is not the enemy—it’s a sign you’re about to grow,” he said, urging graduates to use their backgrounds as motivation. “Don’t be ashamed of where you come from. Use it to build your endurance, empathy, and drive.”
Juaquellie, who has worked with international development groups including Oxfam, encouraged the young people to lead with values, embrace failure as a stepping stone, and start from wherever they are.
Valedictorian Peter Tarl Sumo echoed those sentiments. Delivering a heartfelt speech titled “Learning Starts at Home,” he shared how his passion for learning began long before he entered the program. “I wasn’t starting from zero—I had a foundation built from curiosity and practice,” he said.
Peter challenged his peers to continue learning outside formal classrooms and reminded them that character and humility matter as much as credentials.
“Real learning happens when you take responsibility outside of school. Whether it’s business, farming, or technology—do it with love and humility,” he said.
UBCAA, a U.S.-based nonprofit, continues to support skills-building for youth, girls, and persons with disabilities across Bong County. With the success of this latest graduating class, the organization reaffirmed its commitment to expanding digital training and empowerment programs across Liberia.
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