Monrovia – The Vice President of the Republic of Liberia Jewel Howard-Taylor has cautioned graduates of a Liberia National Red Cross Society program to be steadfast while hoping for a better life.
Report by J.H. Webster Clayeh – [email protected]
Addressing graduates of the 7th Women Training and Integration project or WIN at the Centennial Pavilion, the Vice President encouraged the women to be focus in order to achieve.
“Those of you who took a step to get involved in the WIN Program want to live a better life.”
“Want to contribute to our society, want to be agents of change,” she said.
“Let me say to you that there is no shortcut. Don’t let anybody tell you that you can take a shortcut around this corner.”
“You will end up in the dish and you will go way back to the beginning. And it will take much more time.”
“So, take your time, put your arts together, plan it, work on it, commit yourselves to see it comes to pass and before you turn around the would have been another dream fulfilling.”
She called on the graduates to translate the opportunity given to them by the LNRCS into a success story.
According to the Vice President, most businesses collide because of poor management.
However, she said women are the best managers and beneficiaries of the WIN program will be able to succeed in their various businesses.
In 2009, the LNRCS established the WIN project to give vulnerable women a chance to obtain skill training and empower them with business opportunities.
The project targets women and girls affected by conflict.
Beneficiaries include ex-combatants, single mother or self-supported, commercial sex workers, rape or domestic violence victims, and drug users.
Beneficiaries are drawn for ages of 13 to 45 years as primary direct beneficiaries while their spouses and children are the secondary direct beneficiaries.
The project has been carried out in Logan Town, Clara Town, New Kru Town and West Point, all in Montserrado County
Explaining their success story at the program, many beneficiaries of the WIN program praised the Red Cross for making them self-sufficient.
Praise Flomo now owns a tailor shop. Before she entered the WIN program, Flomo sold fish.
“Now, I can boast of owning a tailor shop through the WIN program. Now I can make my own money to send my children to school,” she said.