Over 38,000 child soldiers were recruited during the 18 year civil war. Through a rigorous application process, we have chosen the first class consisting of five men, ages 19-38, who are excited and driven to develop skills as working professionals. To support their growth, we are paying their college tuitions as they work to build their dream: a fully functioning copy center in Gardnersville, Liberia, right outside the capital, Monrovia, which in five years time, they will own outright.
Cori Thomas, a playwright of Liberian heritage, was nearly shot by a child soldier in 2000 during the war. She walked away from this experience with two realizations: 1. Life is precious 2. The 38,000 former child soldiers deserve a second chance to live the life they might have lived without repercussions for actions that were not, ultimately, their fault. After writing a play, PA'S HAT, about the experience, Cori wanted to have more direct impact so she started the Pa's Hat Foundation.
By providing these ostracized young men with an education, a job, and the chance to own the business they have the chance to live lives of agency with self esteem and a chance to realize their dreams to their fullest potential. Education is the key to employment, which is this program is being offered to young men who are dedicated to graduating with a degree as well as earning an honest living.
The goal of owning the business in 5 years is an opportunity for these men to not only learn how to do the work well but also to entice them to become leaders in their chosen fields and their communities. When we accept the second class into the program, these men will be able to act as mentors, having already been through the process. Most of these men have faced discrimination while looking for work because of their backgrounds, we want to give them a chance to create their own future.
This project has provided additional documentation in a PDF file (projdoc.pdf).
