MONROVIA-Orange Foundation, in partnership with SOS Children’s Villages Liberia, has graduated and certified 150 young people who completed a four-month intensive Digital Literacy Initiative aimed at equipping youth with technological skills for the modern workforce.
By Willie N. Tokpah
The Initiative, held over the weekend, is aimed at enhancing youth empowerment and digital inclusion in Liberia.
The certification ceremony, held at SOS Children’s Villages in Matadi, brought together government officials, development partners, youth leaders, community representatives and beneficiaries to celebrate what organizers described as a transformative investment in Liberia’s next generation.
Speaking at the event, the Interim National Director of SOS Children’s Village Liberia, Leul Abera, described the program as a major milestone in the lives of the graduates and emphasized the growing importance of digital literacy in an increasingly technology-driven world.
“Digital literacy is not just a tool, it is a gateway to opportunities,” Abera said.
“These skills empower young people to innovate, solve problems, connect with the world, and become entrepreneurs, engineers, and social advocates. Overall, digital skills are a powerful ally for young people.”
He noted that one of the core objectives of SOS Children’s Village International, is to ensure that children and young people become successful and productive members of society.
According to him, the organization continues to pursue that goal in Liberia through strategic collaboration with government institutions and development partners.
Abera used the occasion to express gratitude to Orange Foundation for supporting the initiative and called for increased investment in similar programs.
“Your support has opened doors for 150 young people by equipping them with critical skills needed to succeed in today’s digital world,” he said.
“However, the demand for digital skills training remains high. Many young people still lack access to education, training and resources. We encourage Orange Foundation and other partners to expand such initiatives so that more young Liberians can unlock their potential and contribute meaningfully to society.”
For her part, Madam Uomah Witherspoon, Senior Program Manager of Orange Foundation Liberia, praised the facilitators of SOS Children’s Villages for successfully implementing the program and ensuring that participants acquired practical digital competencies.
She highlighted the Foundation’s satisfaction with the completion of three successful cohorts under the initiative and encouraged graduates to utilize their newly acquired knowledge to seize opportunities created by the ongoing digital transformation.
“We want these young people to use the skills they have gained to create opportunities for themselves and contribute positively to society,” Witherspoon said.
The Program Development Officer of SOS Children’s Villages Liberia, Nehmah Yaanay, reaffirmed Orange Foundation’s longstanding commitment to supporting vulnerable children and young people in Liberia.
According to Yaanay, Orange Foundation has consistently supported the institution since the COVID-19 pandemic through donations and educational interventions that have impacted hundreds of students.
She disclosed that more than 300 young people applied for the Digital Literacy Initiative, while approximately 250 attended the selection process.
Following a comprehensive review and attitude assessment, 150 participants were selected to undergo the training and successfully complete the program.
Yaanay further emphasized that the initiative aligns with the Liberian government’s digital transformation agenda and youth empowerment strategy by preparing young people for employment opportunities in an increasingly digital economy.
Representing the Ministry of Education, Deputy Minister for Instruction Amos Fully commended Orange Foundation and SOS Children’s Villages for investing in Liberia’s future workforce.
Minister Fully particularly encouraged young women to take advantage of opportunities in technology and position themselves equally alongside their male counterparts.
Reflecting on the evolution of education and access to information, he recalled that obtaining research materials was difficult during his school years due to limited access to computers and technology.
“Today’s generation is fortunate to have greater access to technology, making it easier to conduct research and acquire knowledge from the comfort of their homes,” he said.
He also lauded Orange Foundation for its contribution to strengthening educational opportunities, especially for girls and young women.
The Digital Literacy Initiative forms part of broader efforts to bridge Liberia’s digital divide and equip young people with skills necessary to compete in an increasingly technology-driven global economy.
Organizers say the success of the program demonstrates the potential of public-private partnerships in addressing youth unemployment, promoting digital inclusion, and fostering sustainable economic growth across Liberia.
