PHOTO: Graduates of cycle six of Nenikpoma life-skills empowerment training program at the Salvation Army Church in Gbarnga
By Emmanuel Mafelah, mafelahemmanuel29@gmail.com
GBARNGA, Liberia- As part of efforts to promote economic empowerment for women across Liberia, a non-for-profit organization, “Nenikpoma” has graduated over 600 students from its life-skills empowerment training program here in the central Bong County.
Nenikpoma is a non-governmental organization that was established in Liberia to enhance women economic empowerment, in order for them to contribute to their homes and assist in supporting their families.
Nenikpoma is also helping the Women through skill training and empowerments.
The Nenikpoma life-skills empowerment training program is being sponsored by Bong County electoral district #3 Representative, Josiah Marvin Cole.
After their general graduation on May 28 in Gbarnga, the different women groups will be given a huge sum of money to do their businesses with an interest rate of one (1) percent.
Graduates were taught on how to prepare chloride, liquid soap, tie and die amongst others for weeks.
Mrs. Cole underscored the importance of standing behind some of their (graduating class) products.
Addressing graduates of its six circle on Sunday, May 15, 2022 at the Salvation Army in the new Ganta parking community, the organization Chief Executive Officer, Youngor Barco Cole firstly thanked God Almighty for giving her the courage to be of help to someone especially the women.
The program, according to her, is the organization’s own way of contributing to nation rebuilding process.
She said when women are empowered, its help to conduit the economic gap faced by women and give them better opportunities for a sustainable future.
Madame Cole thanked the women for successfully participating in the program and further called on them to extend the skills learnt from the training program to be an agent of change in their respective communities.
The CEO also cautioned the graduates not to be satisfy with what they have acquired, but should always look up there for opportunities.
She said the decision taken by the women signify to their male counterparts that women are no longer going to sit and lookup to them for everything.
In conclusion, Madame Cole vowed to always work with Bong County women in order to free them from their loads.
In remarks, Representative Cole praised the administration of Nenikpoma for the level of impacts that they continue to make in the life of the women and girls since the formation of the organization.
He promised to purchase them a pickup and five motorbikes May 28 to be use by staffs (trainers) for its life-skills empowerment training program and operations.
The Bong County Lawmaker then reaffirmed his continuing support to the organization and it undertaken at all times.
For their part, graduates extended commendation to the organization and partners for providing them the opportunity to acquire the knowledge.
They then encouraged other women to wake up and do something that will better their lives if they are to battle the tasks ahead.
“We just want to take this opportunity to call on our friend’s women out there to come out and do something because Liberia is getting hard by the day. Man will not do it all for you, try to do something for yourself and help your family.”