UNDP and Nigerian peacekeepers team up for skills training project in Montserrado

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Nigerian Battalion (NIBATT22) have teamed up in providing a wide range of skills training, and supporting sustainable livelihoods projects for youth in Montserrado County, Liberia. The main objective is to enable youth to engage in self-employment projects.

UNDP and the soldiers from NIBATT22 have worked together in training 10 youth from Montserrado County in catering, tailoring and welding skills. UNDP has also assisted some of the youth who were trained as caterers to set up a Resort Centre at the Bomi Lake, and begin establishing a restaurant in Tubmanberg. The projects are funded by UNDP’s Community Based Recovery and Development (CBRD) Programme.

Six females who were trained in tailoring received sewing machines, irons and other tailoring equipment, while four males who were trained in welding received a welding machine, as well as equipment such as hack saws, sledge hammers, welding goggles, and electrodes.

The kits, which are intended to facilitate the youth’s entry into the market for self-employment, were presented at a graduation ceremony held on July 8th, 2010 at Camp Abuja in Montserrado County. The kits were presented to the graduates by County Education Officer Mr. Shedrack Keri, Commander Sector Brig. General EB Awala; Chief CIMIC Officer Lt Col William Cortez; and UNDP’s CBRD Project Officer Amy Sandhu.

“UNDP acknowledges the remarkable efforts of NIBATT22 in its contribution toward building the confidence of Liberian youth and equipping them with viable skills that will facilitate their self-employment,” says UNDP’s Amy Sandhu.

“We encourage you as graduates to consider this the first step in a journey toward using your entrepreneurial sense and newly acquired skills to pursue your chosen careers,” she added.

UNDP and Nigerian peacekeepers also assisted youth in Banakor Town, Bomi County to produce a film on peace and reconciliation with a focus on youth as peace makers.

“None of these efforts would have been possible if it were not for the support of UNDP, the Superintendent of Montserrado County, Governor of New Kru Town, Chairman of the Coast Guard Community, and the dedication of the trainees themselves” says Brig. General EB Awala of NIBATT.

This project is one of several innovative partnerships that UNDP has forged with the UN Mission in Liberia’s military contingents to implement sustainable livelihood projects in various counties across Liberia. Other projects funded by UNDP include the construction of a center to train youth in computer technology, tailoring, carpentry, nursing and generator repair in Ganta, Sanniquellie, and Tappita (Nimba County) in collaboration with the Bangladeshi Battalion, as well as plans for the construction of a classroom block and furnishing of two orphanages in Buchanan (Grand Bassa County) in collaboration with the Ghananain battalion.