SALALA, Bong County — Forty-five graduating high school students have entered a new phase of practical learning and career preparation as the Thompson Development Alliance (TDA) launches the sixth edition of its Student Internship Program.
By Selma Lomax, [email protected]
The latest group of beneficiaries brings the number of young people reached by the initiative since its establishment in 2021 to more than 500, with the organization reporting an investment of over L$9.5 million in the program.
The initiative, established under the leadership of TDA Chief Executive Officer William Telebo Thompson, combines workplace exposure with financial assistance, providing young people with an opportunity to gain practical experience before pursuing further education, employment or entrepreneurial activities.
At the launch in Salala on Friday, September 11, Thompson said the program was created in response to the difficulties many young people encounter when attempting to enter the workforce without practical experience or the networks that can connect them to employment opportunities.
He said the competitive selection process for the latest cohort was intended to identify students capable of benefiting from the experience
while upholding the standards and values associated with the internship initiative. The selected students will spend one month in their respective internship placements and will each receive L$10,000 through their bank accounts. At the end of the program, successful participants will be awarded Ambassadorial Certificates.
Thompson pointed to the experience of a previous beneficiary as evidence of the potential impact of the program. He recalled that the former intern was placed at a court during her participation and subsequently obtained employment there.
Years later, Thompson said, he encountered the former beneficiary and asked what kind of financial support she might need. Instead of requesting money, he said, she reminded him that the opportunity provided through the internship had already played a significant role in helping her secure employment.
The experience, according to Thompson, illustrates why youth development programs should focus beyond short-term financial assistance and create pathways through which young people can acquire experience, establish professional relationships and improve their prospects for employment.
Thompson said the internship should not be viewed simply as a financial assistance program, but as an investment in the future of the beneficiaries and their communities. He encouraged the students to approach the one-month placement with discipline, humility and a willingness to learn, noting that the experience could become a stepping stone to future opportunities.
He urged the interns to build relationships with the institutions and professionals where they are assigned, saying that academic qualifications alone may not be enough to secure employment in an increasingly competitive environment. According to Thompson, young people must also develop practical skills, demonstrate commitment and build a reputation that can open doors after graduation.
Thompson further challenged the beneficiaries to use the knowledge and experience gained during the internship to inspire other young people in their communities. He said the ultimate goal of the initiative is not only to help individual students, but also to contribute to the development of a generation capable of creating opportunities for themselves and others.
He encouraged the new beneficiaries to take the internship seriously, urging them to learn from their supervisors, demonstrate discipline and make constructive use of the professional relationships they establish during their placements.
Thompson also called for greater involvement from government officials, community leaders, parents and other stakeholders in initiatives aimed at preparing young Liberians for the workforce.
He said many parents continue to struggle to finance the education of their children, particularly those who depend on farming, gardening and small businesses to meet household and school expenses.
The L$10,000 stipend, he said, could provide beneficiaries with an opportunity to begin small income-generating activities, including agriculture and other forms of entrepreneurship, after completing the internship.
Beyond the immediate financial benefit, Thompson said the program seeks to encourage young people to become economically independent and eventually create opportunities for others within their communities.
He thanked parents, supporters and previous beneficiaries for their continued involvement, saying their contributions have helped sustain the program through six editions.
Thompson said the Alliance would continue to promote initiatives that expose young people to practical opportunities, describing sustained investment in the next generation as essential to employment creation, entrepreneurship and broader community development.
The latest cohort is expected to complete its one-month placement with the skills, workplace exposure and financial resources needed to take the next step in its educational or professional journey.
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