By Charles Gbayor, maorethason1997@gmail.com
DUAZON, Margibi, Liberia – A local NGO, JUST A GIRL INITIATIVE (Vocational & Economic Empowerment Program ) in Duazon, lower Margibi County has graduated 78 seventy eight young adults, who have successfully completed their 9-6 months intensive training.
The 78 graduates recently completed the required courses in Tailoring, Catering & Pastry making as well as the Decoration Departments.
Just a girl initiatives started full operations in 2018 in Duazon and has now graduated over two hundred Liberian women and girls in various disciplines.
This year’s graduation and convocation ceremony was held at the Grace Community Church, just several miles away from the Liberian Capital Monrovia.
On October 10, 2020, the Lawrence G. Cooper Foundation signed a formal memorandum of understanding with Just A Girl Intiatives which was geard at the at providing empowerment opportunities for girls, Women and youths who are desirous of obtaining skills to empower themselves. The partnership with the foundation sponsored 105 beneficiaries..
The Lawrence G. Cooper Foundation is said to have provided US$2,074.00 in cash.
According to the JUST A GIRL INTIATIVES’ founder and chief executive officer, Mrs. Evelyn Kpadeh Seagbeh, the students who graduating have been tested and proven beyound all reasonable doubt that they are ready to serve our Country and its people after they have successfuly completed their nine and six months of intensive training .
“When we started in 2018 it was not easy things were hard and difficluties but with God help we are doing what we doing,” Mrs. Seagbeh told www.newspublictrust.com.
She said that for the third cycle of the program, two additional skills training courses will be offered and will want to train girls, women and men as professionals in the areas of electricity and computer science and technology.
Mrs. Seagbeh praised and thanked that the Lawerence G. Cooper Foundation, Rev.Emmanuel Giddings, Representatives Tilberosa S.Tarponweh of Margibi District #1 and Samuel Enders of District # 6, Monsterrado County among other sponsors.
She said the selflessly contributed both financially and materially to the sustainability of the Organization and their support will continues us Just A Girl Initiatives to make positive impacts in the lives of many Liberians.
As a result, Mrs. Seagbeh said that the vocational and economics empowerment program at the Just A Girl Intiatives can proudly say how girls, women and boys have now begun to earn incomes and are proudly working with their hands.
The Founder and Chief executive officer of this local NGO disclosed that her organization’s goal is to raise a generation of young women and men who can productively contribute to the re-buliding process of our Country Liberia and reduce the vulnerabilities .
“We are seeking support and partnership from individuals and institutions in doing this,” she added.
Mrs. Seagbeh also disclosed that about 150 one hundred and thirty person will be sponsored by the Lawrence G. Cooper Foundation for the third circle of the program.
Guest speaker’s inspiration to graduates
Delivering the keynote address at the graduation program, Mrs. Matilda O.Potter used the occasion to inspired and motivate the graduating class.
“Be that person who will help your situation and positive impact in our society today. Don’t be a liability wife or girlfriend; try and do something to help your family. Soap, pepper and oil money should not always be your husband’s responsibility. Learn something to help your home and gain respect from your families and friends because if you not doing anything no respect,” Mrs. Potter advised.
She further told the graduates to encourage others women, girls and men to attend other vocational and technical training centers across the country, in order to empower themselves financially.