LIBERIA: LTI Empowers 85 youth in various vocational disciplines
By: Augustine N. Myers – The Lutheran Training Institute (LTI) in Salayea, Lofa county, as part of its Skill Training Program for war affected youth and adults, has graduated 85 young people in various vocational disciplines.
The disciplines include Agriculture, Auto Mechanic, Masonry, Carpentry, Plumbing, Electricity, and Tailoring.
Platform Dignitaries at the 8th Graduation Exercises of the Lutheran Training Institute (LTI)
Partial-view of the audience at the 8th Graduation Exercises of the Lutheran Training Institute (LTI)
Cross section of the 8th Graduation Class of the Lutheran Vocational Training Program
The Guest Speaker, Isaac B. Stevens presenting certificate to one of the graduates
Serving as Guest Speaker over the week-end at the 8th Graduation Exercises of the Lutheran Vocational Training Program held at the Lutheran Training Institute campus in Salayea, the Administrative Manager at the Booker Washington Institute (BWI) in Kakata, Margibi county, Isaac B. Stevens challenged the graduates to take their destiny in their own hands.
According to Mr. Stevens, he was happy to recognize the fantastic achievements of the graduates to earn certificates in different vocations, but called on them to fully utilize the education and skills acquired.
He said success in life begins with one recognizing his or her present position and condition, regarding who and where are you.
Mr. Stevens named six important keys to achieve in life: 1. Always learn to determine your present position in life; 2. Don’t be doubtful; 3. Hold unto God; 4; Ask God for help; 5. Learn to identify your barriers; and 6. Create a step-to-step plan for your life in order the move forward.
He told the graduates they have to make absolute best of their future by ensuring the realization of their education, dreams, visions, hopes, and aspirations.
He also reminded the graduates that there will be challenges ahead, but urged them never to give-up. “Trust in God who has brought you this far” Mr. Stevens asserted.
He urged them to have a plan for their lives in order to maximize God’s potential for success in life.
Also speaking at the Program, the Bishop of the Lutheran Church in Liberia, Rt. Rev. Dr. D. Jensen Senyenkulo stressed the need for youth empowerment which he said remains crucial to Liberia’s peace and development.
According to Bishop Senyenkulo, young people can ably contribute to the transformation of post-conflict Liberia, once they have the opportunity to build their human resource capacity, especially through vocational education.
He said the Lutheran Church in Liberia is concerned about the Institute and has great dream to move it forward.
He promised to hire one of the graduates from the Agriculture Department that will work along with him on his farm.
Bishop Senyenkulo pointed out that Agriculture is very important and urged Liberians to grow what they eat in order to feed the country. He said the country is still backward because Liberians cannot feed themselves.
For his part, the Executive Director of the Lutheran Training Institute (LDS) in Liberia, Mr. Joseph S. Binda expressed pleasure on behalf of the Members and Chairman of the Board of Directors of LDS and said they were indeed happy to form part of a process to build the minds of young people.
According to him, the Skill Training Process which is immensely contributing to the human resource development of Liberia after 14 years of senseless civil war, cannot be over emphasized.
He at the same time expressed gratitude to partners of the Lutheran Development Service, especially the Church of Sweden for support to the Skill Training Program at LTI, the Evangelical Lutheran Church-USA for ensuring the rehabilitation of houses on the LTI campus, and providing electricity among others. He also commanded the Liberian government for providing some level of subsidies to the Institute.
Mr. Binda said LDS and the Lutheran Church in Liberia have interest in the development of the Lutheran Training Institute (LTI) and that the main objective of LTI is to continue to contribute to the man power development of Liberia, as was done prior to the Liberian civil war.
He disclosed that they were embarking upon a process at LTI and called on everyone, especially incoming students to cooperate.
According to him, beginning the next vocational period there will be no more free education at LTI. He said little fees will be paid as minimum contribution from students.
Mr. Binda pointed out that male students will now pay 2000 Liberian dollars, while female students will pay 1000 Liberian dollars for the 9-month Intensive Skill Training Program along with boarding at LTI.
He noted that students must also contributed to their own success, stressing that the world does not owe anyone a living, but an opportunity to make a living.
Mr. Binda also reiterated that LTI will continue to invest in vocational and technical education to empower the youth to contribute to Liberia’s development, because according to him the more Liberia invests in the young people, the better it will be for the future of the country.
Also speaking, the Director of the Lutheran Training Institute, Rev. Thomas Z. Paye extolled efforts of the Church of Sweden to support activities of the Lutheran Church in Liberia.
He said the Skill Training Program which is sponsored by the Church of Sweden, and implemented by the Lutheran Development Service, gives war affected and disadvantaged youth and adults the opportunity to acquire basic skills.
According to him, the primary goals and objectives of the Program are: 1. to build the capacity of war affected and disadvantage youth and adults to enable them contribute to their communities; 2. to serve as windows of opportunity for unskilled Liberians to gain skills in order to meaningfully contribute to Liberia’s economic growth; 3. To develop market skill for self employment; and 4. That students graduating from LTI Skill Training Program will serve as images of hope, change and motivation for other disadvantaged youth and adults who are in their respective communities so that they will grasp this opportunity for a better life.
He said LTI Skill Training Program lays serious emphasis on disadvantaged girls’ education and capacity building.
