MONROVIA – Over 120 at-risk youth, who recently completed a Government of Liberia (GoL) rehabilitation program, are poised to receive support from the GoL this Saturday, Mr. J. Bryant Mcgill, Deputy Youth and Sports Minister for Youth Services, has disclosed.
A GoL program to Recruit, Detox, Rehabilitate and Reintegrate At-Risk Youth (ARY) in Montserrado, Margibi, Bomi, and Grand Bassa Counties, with the enlistment of a total of 127 ARY including four children under 5 years of age, entered its transitional stage from Rehabilitation to Reintegration/Recovery on Thursday, 11th April 2024, at an elaborate program held at the EJS Ministerial Complex, in Monrovia.
However, the GoL, will on this Saturday, present toolkits to 123 of these at-risk youth, who graduated successfully from its seven-month Detoxification, Rehabilitation, Recovery/Reintegration exercises conjointly carried out at seven rehab centers in Margibi, Bassa, Bomi, Lofa, and Brewerville and Caldwell Townships, in Montserrado County respectively.
At the Saturday, 20th April 2024 program, the Government will present toolkits containing sewing machines and assorted implements, among others including a special package of assorted clothing, and footwear, from President Boakai to all 123 graduates and 64 others who didn’t graduate after their Exit Urine Tests revealed otherwise. The graduation is part of the Boakai-led government’s 100-day deliverables.
In addition to these toolkits, as incentives for homeless at-risk youth, the GoL will provide accommodations for them and make available a six-month rental payment, providing mattresses and clothing to all the rehabilitated at-risk youth now conveniently referred to by the Ministry of Youth and Sports as clients.
Thereafter, the Youth and Sports Ministry will ensure some psychosocial staff follow up on these clients and provide tracing and counseling to them for three months.
“It’s my privilege to acknowledge the contribution of those who worked hard to make the graduation celebration of 123 At-Risk youths possible,” Deputy Minister Mcgill stated on Thursday, starting up with firstly thanking President Joseph N. Boakai, whom he praised for delivering a keynote speech that according to him (Mcgill), allowed the President’s audience to hear the Liberian leader’s thoughts about his vision for the livelihood of at-risk youth in Liberia.
“Your thoughts have enlightened our minds and have shown us a new path of the government readiness to address the enormous issues of at-risk youth across the country,” Deputy Minister Mcgill added.
He also expressed gratitude to all the speakers at the ARY Thanksgiving, Graduation and Empowerment Ceremony including representatives of UNFPA, UNICEF, UN WOMEN, ECOWAS, WHO, the Lutheran Church, among others for gracing the occasion and sharing their thoughts.
“My heart is happy because of the transformation I see in those young people who were once living on the streets, in ghettos, graveyards, abandoned buildings, etc.,” he emphasized, adding; “I would like to thank the Joint Steering Committee (GoL & UN), Technical Working Group, Interim Program Management Unit, County Health Teams (Montserrado, Margibi, Grand Bassa & Bomi), Service Providers, etc. for the technical support and commitment in making this program work.”
The Head of the Project Implementation Unit of the At-Risk Youth Program, Melvina Diamond Elliott Sankolo, also got Deputy Minister Mcgill’s deepest sense of appreciation, for dedication to service and her endeavor towards anchoring the project, as well as her splendid presentation. I need to mention my deepest sense of appreciation.
“I would also like to thank the people who worked behind the scenes to make this graduation happen, our technical arrangement team, the former officials at the Ministry, service providers, we say thank you,” he indicated, adding, “Our sincere gratitude goes to all clients for committing to being agents of change,” he stated.
