Voinjama, Lofa County – The Liberian National Red Cross Society (LNRCS) recently graduated 100 persons in Voinjama, Lofa County.
The graduates had been trained in 10 different disciplines and the program was held under the theme: “Building Cohesive and Resilient Communities.”
The graduates, who were drawn from Vahun, Foya, Kolahun and Voinjama districts, also spoke of the prevailing economic condition being faced by their peers in the counties.
They want the Red Cross and other NGOs to provide more skills-trainings for their fellow young people.
But the Liberian Red Cross said it lacks funding capacity at the moment to address the plight of youths in the area.
“The need for more training of young people in Lofa is compelling but the Liberian Red Cross does not have sufficient funding at the moment to continue with the training,” Saybah Tamba, Secretary General of the Liberian Red Cross said.
Madam Tamba noted that government and partners must now see the need to mobilize sufficient resources for the Red Cross to respond to the compelling training needs of young people.
She spoke over the weekend when the LNRCS along with support from the Danish Red Cross put out the 100 determined and inspiring young people.
“The beneficiaries are less fortunate young people who have no formal education and skills and were extremely affected by poverty and seemed to have no hope for the future,” Madam Tamba asserted.
“They were recruited, trained and transformed through a nine-month vocational training in the county to enable them to shift their own future.”
The beneficiaries were certificated and given the appropriate starter kits to enhance their skills in the areas of Auto Mechanic, Carpentry, Computer Literacy, Hair dressing, Masonry, Metal Works, Plumbing, Soap making, Tailoring, and Weaving.
She said the Red Cross was happy to return the young people back to their communities with new skills. She noted that their impact will be hugely remarkable in supporting the development and economic activities in the county.
Also speaking the UNDP Representative in Voinjama, Mr. Robert B. Momoh, said building a resilient and cohesive community is not an individual responsibility but needs collective efforts from everyone.
Momoh encouraged the beneficiaries to work together to sustain their communities in meaningful ways.
He said making Liberia a better nation requires the young graduates to remain vigilant and hardworking to support the development of their communities.
Also speaking, the Special Assistant of Lofa County Superintendent Joseph F. Kulloe appreciated the Red Cross for buttressing government efforts in developing the capacity of the young people.
Mr. Kulloe said the local authority remains committed in supporting the Red Cross in all of its endeavors in building resilient communities for the benefit and development of the communities and county.
The Red Cross’ intervention in the area of youth capacity building has been hugely supported by the Danish Red Cross under the Project ‘Community-based Recovery and Resilient Building Program (CBRRBP)’ in Lofa County.
The project had been implemented earlier in Bong, Nimba and Lofa focusing on building hand pumps and rehabilitating damaged ones, building latrine facilities, ensuring safe school facilities, distributing relief materials to help communities recover with hope and dignity as well as supporting baby mothers and establishing structures to build resilient communities.