Author: Youthmedia

The Kingdom of Hope School System during the course of the academic years held a successful career day on campus, exposing students to various career opportunities they could choose from after completion of the secondary education.

Career Day teaches students to know about various career choices and provide education on job opportunities.

Serving as Guest Speaker, the Manager of Rose Garden Plaza in Central Monrovia, Mr. Kenneth Yeo Awajil said, deciding a career path at a young age is better because after high school, students will know directly where they are heading in college.

Mr. Awajil said students must focus on careers that have job opportunities, instead of those with difficulty in finding job.

He then promised to give the school two bundles of zinc and 20 bags of cement for the completion of the school buildings.

The Monrovia College Industrial Training School has officially launched its press club on campus.

The launch held in March this year included fund raising event

to generate money to help support the club.

Other activities included cake rally and unveiling of press jackets for campus-based reporters.

Talk Show host, Julius Jeh of Okay FM served as guest speaker during the program, encouraging cub reporters to remain focus and steadfast if they are to become professionals.

Journalist Jeh, who donated 100 United States dollars to the initiative, also praised the press club members, but cautioned them to speak fluently and read well.

At the same time M.C. has broken grounds for the construction of a new school building situated at the intersection of Lynch and Benson Streets.

The groundbreaking ceremony that took place on May 3, 2022 was attended by the Presiding Bishop of the Africa Methodist Episcopal (AME) Church, alumni, students and teachers of the school.

 The school administration says when completed, the institution will have a modern building with two science labs, 18 classrooms, 32 bathrooms, 2 cafeterias, 2 computer labs and a basketball court.

The bishop of the 14th Episcopal District of the AME church, Paul JM Karobee, welcomed the construction of a New Monrovia College.

Mr. Karobee said regardless of the challenges, he is happy that the longtime dream of the institution is becoming a reality.

He said God can do all things, adding that education is the only thing that stays with people forever.

Mr. Karobee noted that being a school that has been in existence for 100 year is not a child’s play, adding that the ongoing construction is an instruction from God.

Also speaking at the ground breaking ceremony, the Vice President for Administration, Rev. Odell Swen, quoting Biblical verses said, “Except the Lord builds the house, the builder builds in vain.”

Rev. Swen therefore, dedicated the new building in the hands of God.

A pro media development group, Youth media action has launched the 4th edition of the National Press Club Exhibition.

The National Press Club Exhibition is an annual news presentation challenge held every year where high school press clubs compete through news writing, gathering, and live presentation to commemorate the Day of the African Child.

First launched in June 2018, the program has helped to sharpen the media skills of cub reporters in high schools, showcase their talents and provide a platform where their stories can be heard.

Soltiamon Christian School system is the current triple title holder of the competition and will be hoping to retain the championship or be dethroned especially with the influx of new schools.

This year’s event will be celebrated under the theme, “Eliminating Harmful Practices Affecting Children: Progress on Policy & Practice since 2013,” bringing together over 200 people including students, parents, school administrators, international partners and national government from across Monrovia and its environs.

Speaking at the official launch of the program at the Liberia Broadcasting System Compound in Paynesville City, the Executive Director of Youth Media Action, Varmah Kamara said the goal of the program is that every young person uses the media to transform lives and foster media reform for vibrant democracy.

Mr. Kamara said for the second time the competition will be held in two categories namely Elementary and Senior High divisions.

He unveiled that as part of commitments to grass root media development to empower Press Clubs, the Winner of the Elementary category will be awarded a cash prize of L$25,000 Liberian dollars while the Senior High winner will be given L$50,000 Liberian dollars.

“While the aim and objective of this unique competition cannot be measured in finances, we believed that these amounts will help to upgrade press clubs at various high schools in Monrovia and its environs.

He noted that as enshrined in the competition’s rules the cash prizes won from this year’s National Press Club Exhibition will be used solely for training and equipping press club and its members.

The YMA Executive Director thanked USAID, Internews Liberia, the management of the Liberia Broadcasting system and Press Union of Liberia for the continued support while he called on international organization and businesses operating in Liberia to support this initiative as it helps to promote media reform and vibrant democracy!

 “We believe that the next generation of young journalists is paramount to creating powerful and meaningful change, providing the important means to ensure freedom of speech and vibrant democracy are justly upheld in their respective communities and working environments,” he emphasized.

“So the essence of this program is to elevate and highlight the work of these young journalists who are fearlessly inspiring others,” Kamara concluded.

At least fifty-nine (59) students of the Paynesville SDA High School have been baptized at the A La Lagoon Beach Resort in Congo Town.

The baptism took place in May after five days of services, prayers, and preaching on the theme, “Choose Ye This Day.”

Rev. Martinius Bernard of the Revelation SDA Church on the Japan Freeway encouraged the students to choose the forces of good over evil forces.

Rev. Bernard admonished them to make sound decisions in life, stating that now is the time to decide where they wish to spend eternity.

One of the newly baptized students, Princess Gibson, of 9A class expressed joy for becoming a new person in Jesus Christ.

Student Gibson said her decision to go thru baptism was made because she felt moved and convicted about the teachings and preaching during the five- day activities.

Meanwhile, some teachers and other support staff also got baptized as part of this year’s week of Spiritual Emphasis.

Strive Community Resource Center has launched a business start-up program intended to train young Liberians to become entrepreneurs.

According to Strive Coordinator, Angea Davis the program seeks to tackle the high rate of unemployment in the country by providing eight months training opportunity for emerging entrepreneurs. 

She said at the completion of the training participants with the best business ideas will received loans to start their own business venture.

Madam Davis also called on other Liberians with knowledge and skills in different vocational disciplines like tailoring, soap-making, pastry, computer Science et al to make use of training spaces available at Strive Community Resource Center to educate others.

Simultaneously, a computer trainer at Strive Obadiah Pannoh is also encouraging Liberian students and those seeking job opportunities to prioritize learning computer.

“In a world taking over by computer if students and job seekers want to succeed in their classrooms and offices they need to acquire basic computer skills.”

Obadiah who operates Liberia Vocational Resource Center at Strive, offering 4-month computer and other vocational education trainings, said his programs are opened for high school graduates and those seeking employment.

For her part, the administrative assistance at Strive Community Resource Center Bendu Ketteh said she was forced to enroll in  the computer program after she was denied her first job as a result of lacking computer knowledge.

FMG is a harmful practice that involves the removal or injury of external female genital organs for non-medical reasons.

While a moratorium has been placed on FGM, Liberia remains one of the three West African Countries that do not have a law criminalizing FGM despite having signed and ratified regional and international human rights instruments condemning the practice as human rights violation, including the Maputo Protocol.

Vice President Taylor said despite the challenges, Liberia remains committed to the fight against FGM and protection of girls’ rights.

“I’m still hopeful that a bill will be passed to stop FGM soon in Liberia,” Vice president Taylor asserted.

She was speaking in an exclusive interview with child broadcasters at ECOWAS Radio in celebration of the International Day of the African Child organized by Bridge Liberia in partnership with Youth Media Action, ECOWAS Radio and UNICEF.

Forty Press Club cub reporters took charge of Liberia’s major talk shows on ECOWAS Radio, Okay FM and Prime FM to discuss harmful practices affecting them in their schools and communities

Others who were interviewed include Laila Omar Gad, UNICEF Country Resident Representative, and Mr. Nathaniel B. Walker, Political Advisor/Liason Officer Early Warning for the ECOWAS Resident Representative Office.

This year’s celebration was held under the theme: “Eliminating Harmful Practices Affecting Children: Progress on Policy & Practice since 2013.”

The Communication Officer of Universal Outreach Foundation, a non-profit has admonished high school students wanting to improve their writing and reading skills to take advantage of Strive Press Club.

Madam Landis Wyatt in an exclusive interview with students of Strive Press Club said the after school program supported by Universal Outreach Foundation provides free journalism training and media exposure for students residing in Paynesville City and its environs.

She told Strive Press Club reporters that Journalism doesn’t only develop written and spoken communication but also helps students express themselves and become critical thinkers.

Meanwhile Universal Outreach Foundation country director, Cecil Wilson in a separate news conference reassured his institution commitment to empower Liberian business to deliver goods and services across the country.

 Mr. Cecil Wilson said since 2021  his    foundation has provided business development training and strategies to enable Liberians living in urban communities employ themselves.

According to Mr. Wilson his organization is also working with farmers in rural communities by providing support needed to expand their businesses.

He said his team has established partnership with communities, NGOs and other relevant institution to achieve the objectives of the different business development and empowerment programs.