TrustAfrica is featured in this article about youth engagement and community empowerment in Liberia.
The Analyst
July 22, 2009
NAYMOTE Partners for Democratic Development on Friday, July 17, 2009 officially launched its Trust Africa and Humanity United project in Salala District, Bong County under the theme: Community Empowerment through Youth Driven Initiatives.
Bong County Junior Senator Franklin O. Siakor officially launched the project and told participants that there can be no peace in any country without democracy, stressing that countries that are going through wars ,are most likely places where leaders have problems in institutionalizing genuine democratic practices and principles.
Senator Siakor extolled the leadership of NAYMOTE for the institution’s undertakings which he believes will go a long way in assisting citizens develop positive attitudes that enable community residents make informed decisions on issues affecting them.
The District Commissioner James Kerkulah said, “I always said if we have two or three young people groups like NAYMOTE, our country will be better”, since my ascendancy as commissioner I have closely worked with NAYMOTE and I have found them to be very innovative and their strategies are making great impact in my district.”
The program was attended by over 75 youth and women leaders and local authorities including the District Development Chairman persons, City Mayor and rural women leaders of the Bong County.
The launch was followed up by a Community Mobilization Meeting with 35 community-based youth leaders from Salala, Corneh’s Farm, Totota, Flelah, SKT, Suakoko, Panta, and Jorquelleh in attendance; it was designed to inspire greater community actions and understanding of various issues including the issues and challenges in implementing the Poverty Reduction Strategy, underscoring the roles of CBOs, the Benefits of CBOs Participation and Community Development and the Roles of CBOs in Promoting Participatory Democracy. Mr. Jasper Cummeh, Coordinator of the PRS Tracking Network and Danny Gwinley of the Development Education Network-Liberia (DEN-L) facilitated the meeting.
NAYMOTE is of the belief that Community-based organizations are important vehicles for community development because the people own them; this lends a sense of local ownership which is so fundamental to the success and sustainability of community-based project like that of Trust Africa and Humanity United.
NAYMOTE Executive Director Eddie Jarwolo told participants that his institution through the grant from Trust Africa and Humanity United will assist young people come together and create for themselves the opportunity for collective analysis of their own situation, deepen their understanding on matters of social concern and assist them act collectively for the common good.
The 12- month project which is been implemented in Bong, Margibi and Grand Bassa counties is designed to improve young people political participation in community governance and contribute to the emerging of a youth leadership in mobilizing and empowering communities through youth driven initiatives.
NAYMOTE is working through 35 community-based organizations in the three counties to achieve its objectives and currently three eminent youth leaders have been selected to serve as County Coordinators under the project which is being sponsored by Trust Africa and Humanity United; they will assist in planning, coordinating and supervising programs activities in their respective counties.
The project will be implemented through four keys activities including Capacity Development of CBOs Leaders, Community Mobilization for Collective Actions, Youth Driven Community Forum and Civic Education and Outreach.
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