The project will contribute to the building of a Multipurpose Liberian Youth Training Complex in Johnsonville Township, Montserrado County in Liberia for 1500 direct beneficiaries. The facility will also sustainably strengthen SHIFSD's organizational effectiveness by providing a permanent cost effective office accommodation, a training facility for out-of-school youths and illiterate women including other local partner NGOs.
The Liberian Civil War interfered with the normal process of young people attaining adulthood status. This age range (15-35 years) of youth is highly heterogeneous in terms of life situation, responsibilities and needs. Many of the young people were conscripted as child soldiers by the former war lords. As a result, many of the older youth have grown up in the context of conflict; they have few pre-existing productive skills to be utilized in post-conflict labour market.
90% of the target population believe that access to functional literacy, vocational skills training, work readiness, better business management, and capital in the form of loans are the ideal approaches. This was expressed clearly by the beneficiaries themselves as they indicated that one of their major needs is for training in how to do better business and as well acquire literacy and vocational skills.
Specifically, the out-of-school youths and other vulnerable groups will benefit from training in areas such as life skills development, governance, peace-building, HIV/AIDS, better business development, adult literacy, agriculture and vocational skills which will be offered at the center as a source of empowerment. Women will be able to take preventive measures in addressing problems related to Family Planning, Nutrition, HIV/AIDS, Malaria and other preventable diseases.
