By Tokpa Tarnue in Voinjama, Liberia
A Cassava Processing & Packaging plant valued over $12.000 United States dollars has being dedicated in Zorzor, Lofa County in northwestern Liberia.
The center constructed by Camp for Peace Liberia will be used by youths who were trained by the organization and its partners under its agro business program.
Camp for Pace Liberia is a Non-Governmental Organization based in Lofa.
Speaking at the dedicatory ceremony in Zorzor on June 29, 2018 Camp for Peace Liberia Founder and Executive Director, B. Abel Learwellie indicated that his organization intent is to create empowerment for the youths of Liberia.
Mr. Learwellie disclosed that youths working at the cassava processing and packaging facility will engaged in massive production and packaging of cassava into “Super Gari” which is been label as “ THIS IS OUR OWN” to be sold on the market in and out of Liberia.
According to Mr. Learwellie, since the graduation, Camp for Peace Liberia has been working with the youths to cultivate a total of seven acres of land with cassava which is now being used for the production of the Super Gari in the district.
“Investing in the production of gari is one key way to strengthen the economy of our Country,” he noted.
He said youths at the Cassava plant were part of the 67 War Affected Youth from across Liberia who graduated from the Lutheran Vocational Training Institute in various local disciplines backed with psychosocial support in Salayea last year.
According to him the graduation was the conclusion of a nine month vocational training that provided residential vocational skills Training opportunity to war affected youth in the country to improve their socio-economic status for job opportunities and livelihood sustainability.
“The dedication of this center today is about creating job for the young people who completed the training at the time” he further emphasized.
According to Mr. Learwellie, proceeds generated from the cassava processing plant will be deposited at the Zorzor Community Bank to improve the facility and those working at the center.
He also challenged citizens of the county to get involved into cassava planting in order to constantly supply the processing and packaging plant.
The Founder and Executive Director, B. Abel Learwellie commended the youths for their resilience and dedication to acquire knowledge that has now created them a space and voice to take their rightful places back in society.
He however expressed gratitude to his partners for the contributions they have made and will continue to make in Liberia’s post war developmental process.
In separate remarks, local authorities, parents and youths thanked CfP Liberia and its partners for their generous support.
“We have taken on responsible roles as trained entrepreneurs and managers and are now accountable to ourselves and our society”.
The youths further indicated that they are no more former child soldiers neither are they ex-combatants, rather peacemakers, change-makers and bridge builders of Mama Liberia.
Since 2012, Camp for Pace Liberia (CfP) has graduated over 150 War Affected Youths in various disciplines ranging from literacy, life and vocation education such as agriculture, carpentry, masonry, plumbing, electricity, drafting and building trades.