PHOTO: A cross-section of the happy graduates
By Moses M. Tokpah, mosesmtokpah@gmail.com
Few months back, fifty young women lacked vocational skills in beauty care, tailoring, interior and event decoration, pastry and catering, cake decoration, make-up as well as pedicure and manicure.
But now, they are proud graduates of “Women Of Purpose Empowerment Training Center” (WOPETC), after becoming the 5th graduating class at a colorful ceremony held over the weekend at YMCA auditorium on Broad Street in Monrovia.
The Board Chair of FALSWAR International Charity, Inc., Dorothy Logan, who served as guest speaker, stressed the need for the empowerment of the women of Liberia.
Mrs. Logan spoke on the theme: “The Importance of Women Empowerment in Liberia” stated that the need to empower women in the country cannot be overemphasized.
Mrs. Dorothy Logan
The FALSWAR Board Chair said that when it comes to empowering women in society, everyone needs to focus on developing strategies to educate the women in Liberia.
“Whether you are a man or woman, we all have a role to play in empowering women in this country. First and foremost, when we talk about women’s empowerment we look at education, human rights, politics and other sufficient adventages in our country,” she asserted.
“I want to re-emphasize that it is everybody’s responsibility in this country to empower women. Regardless of our backgrounds, we all are human beings. We all must be treated equally when it comes to education, social, political, and economic growth” she noted.
Madam Logan spoke of the women for women in Liberia to be trained, especially when it comes to education, social, political and economic growth.
When women are educated, she pointed out, they will have the opportunity to work hard and take care of their families.
Mrs. Logan noted that an empowered woman understands development, economic growth and the importance of making meaningful contributions in the society.
According to her, the role of a woman in the society is vital, indicating that as everyone faces the different challenges in life, they all need to speak out against abuse, unfair labor practices, under-representation in government and child marriages.
Millions of girls married out before reaching 18
Quoting a World Bank report, Mrs. Logan said approximately 15 million girls worldwide are married out before reaching the age of eighteen.
When this happens, she noted that it does not only cause negative personal development, but economic issues for the lives of women as well.
The FALSWAR International Charity Board Chair maintained that when women are not empowered educationally, economically, socially politically, and legally, they can easily be treated with disrespect in society.
Mrs. Logan also challenged graduates of the Women of Purpose Empowerment Training Center to encourage other girls and young women to go back to school.
She admonished them to encourage other girls and young women to contact FALSWAR International Charity if they need help stating, that’s why the organization is about, to help the needy and to empower women in society.
“Let them know that as a woman we can do anything with determination and with a focus mind. Please be reminded that there is no one here who is limited. God has given us the ability to make a difference in the World” Dorothy Logan explained.
For women who might be making business or working for others to keep their heads up high, she advised them to put their knowledge and skills to work, so as to navigate the world.
Mrs. Logan then called on the graduates to go with a positive mindset adding that they are in the field of business where there is no playing.
FALSWAR is said to be sending people to school to empower them, something she said her team is happy to be doing, which is impacting many women’s liives to become better persons tomorrow.
“Put your mind to it and be serious, you will go with flying colors,” she added.
Gains made by Women of Purpose Empowerment
Meanwhile, the Executive Director of the Women of Purpose Empowerment Training Center, Mrs. Elizabeth Wah-Edzii has been reflecting on where the institution has come and where it is now.
According to her, the dream of establishing the institution came as a result of her experience with most young girls, women and children, while serving as a member of the Ebola Taskforce for Electoral District #8, Montserrado County in 2014.
“In the year 2014 as a member of the Ebola Taskforce for District eight I came in contact face to face with situation with most young girls, women and children where there was no food and medication, and where some of them when you ask them you have to pay small thing for the medicine they will say I am waiting for my boyfriend to come,” Mrs. Wah-Edzii.
“Even if someone came in the house and say your contribute 20LD they will tell you they are waiting for their spouse, their boyfriend, I am waiting for my boyfriend he hasn’t come; this brought light to my vision of establishing a female empowering institution to address some of the ills of society,” she further explained.
Mrs. Wah-Edzii reported that her team was able to plan strategies that gave birth to the Women of Purpose and Empowerment Training Center in 2015.
In 2016, they the institution was registered as an NGO to help the less-fortunate women who are struggling in the society to survive.
Mrs. Wah-Edzii also said the institution started operations without any assistance from anywhere, mentioning that they were constraint to charge minimum fees to address the overhead cost of operation.
Due to the low cost of fees charged, she said the institution initially registered over two hundred and seventy students who came from distances such as Barnersville, Robertsfield highway and Banard Farm, among other areas to attend the institution.
Some students dropped out
The head of the vocational institution said many of the students dropped due to the high cost of transportation and the materials they needed to purchase for the training.
Mrs. Wah-Edzii said they made several calls to philanthropists and the Government of Liberia to go to their aid by offering scholarship but to no avail.
She recounted that since the establishment of the institution, they have encountered numerous challenges in running the training center.
The greatest challenge of the institution came in 2020 where the COVID-19 Pedemic started thus causing training to be halted twice, according to its Director.
She said that the only reason her institution has not close down like other institutions around the country is because of their passion to continue a change.
Mrs. Wah-Edzii then extended thanks to FALSWAR International Charity, Inc. for sponsoring about 35 girls, out of which 25 graduated recently.
Graduates express gratitude
At the same time, the 25 FALSWAR scholarship students, who graduated recently, have lauded the Charity Institution which saw the need to sow seeds in self-empowerment and opportunity in them.
“We would have not reach this far, if it was not for their love, care and support. We say a very big thank you, may the Almighty God richly bless you for your farsightedness in insuring that our lives are transformed for the better in these difficult times,” a spokesperson for the new graduates expressed.
The graduates said they are grateful for all FALSWAR has done for them over the year, providing them with a career that will sustain they and their families for the rest of their lives.
They thanked the administration, teaching staff and the institution for the opportunity provided and the knowledge imparted to them.
32 new scholarships announced
FALSWAR has now promised to award 32 new students with scholarship during the next training circle.
For his part, Mr. Henry T. Appleton, program officer for TVET at the Ministry of Education reminded the graduates that the reason they enrolled at the institution is to make a change that could affect society in a positive manner.
He encouraged them to go out and exhibit all that they have learned, make a difference and encourage their friends to follow suit.