A Path to Protection:
Safeguarding Children
in Liberia’s Justice System
Samuel and Daniel © Unicef/Vincent Tremeau/Studio Humanity
Samuel (name changed), 12, and Daniel (name changed), 13, two boys in Liberia, endured a traumatic experience last year when they were sent to prison after becoming involved in a neighbourhood dispute. Without clear regulations for children in the justice system, young boys like Samuel and Daniel are often treated like adults, despite being barely teenagers. This experience led them to face harsh conditions and unexpected challenges.
The boys' journey with began when another child, involved in the dispute with Samuel and Daniel, brought the matter to his parents, who took the issue to local authorities. The police initially tried to mediate, but with no specialised protocols for children, Samuel and Daniel were processed as adults. Both boys, frightened and unprepared, were detained in prison. Daniel recalls, "I was scared. I felt like I had lost my freedom and my chance to go to school." Jane (name changed), sister of Samuel and cousin of Daniel, was equally distraught.
"Seeing my little brothers taken away to a place where people say only bad things happen – it broke my heart. I cried, feeling helpless."
Jane, the sister of Samuel and cousin of Daniel © Unicef/Vincent Tremeau/Studio Humanity
James (name changed), a committed social worker in Liberia, took notice of Samuel and Daniel’s case. As part of UNICEF’s network of child protection advocates, he worked tirelessly to raise awareness of their situation, coordinating with lawyers, families, and the court to advocate for the boys’ release. “If it wasn’t for Mr. James,” Jane shares, “I don’t know where my brothers would be now. We were lost, not knowing how to help.”
Eben Kelvin Reeves ©Vincent Tremeau/Unicef Liberia
James © Unicef/Vincent Tremeau/Studio Humanity
“They needed a second chance.”
Fortunately, UNICEF’s collaboration with Liberia’s government under the Child Protection initiative aims to reshape situations like Samuel and Daniel’s. James knows how crucial it is to help children like them recover and reintegrate. “They need a second chance,” he explains. “Our job is to show them that they can have a future. They shouldn’t feel like they are defined by their worst moments.”
James counsels children © Unicef/Vincent Tremeau/Studio Humanity
Jane speaks of the help provided: “Mr. James, with UNICEF's support, was a miracle for us. When no one else was there, he guided us, helping my brothers hold onto hope and making sure they didn’t lose sight of their future.” Through UNICEF’s support, James and his colleagues are working to establish juvenile justice reforms, ensuring that children are treated according to their age and needs.
"The current system isn’t built to support children in situations like Samuel and Daniel’s," James adds. "These are children who need guidance and the right approach. Our job is to help these children get back to school, back to their families, and back to a future they can believe in." After several months of persistent work, James succeeded in securing the boys’ release. However, the challenges were far from over. Returning to their community, the boys faced stigma from peers and struggled to resume their education. “The school year had already gone far,” Jane explains. “They stayed home, sometimes helping with chores, but the fear of bullying kept them back.”
"James works with community leaders and families to address this stigma, explaining, “Reintegration is not just about bringing them home. It’s about helping them feel accepted and understood so they don’t lose hope.” Jane sees the impact of this work firsthand:
James counsels children © Unicef/Vincent Tremeau/Studio Humanity
“Thanks to Mr. James and UNICEF, my brothers are starting to feel normal again. They have been through so much, but they know someone is fighting for them.”
In addition to his direct work with Samuel and Daniel, James and his social worker colleagues continue to advocate for structural reforms in Liberia’s juvenile justice system. “These children need support, not punishment,” James emphasises. “We don’t have enough juvenile rehabilitation resources here, so we need to fill those gaps with compassion and practical help.” Jane feels deeply thankful: “Without UNICEF’s support through Mr. James, I don’t know what would have happened. They’re not just helping my brothers; they’re making life better for all children here.”
With the backing of UNICEF, efforts are underway to introduce protective policies that prioritise rehabilitation and education over incarceration for minors. For James, this goes beyond the case of these two boys—it is about transforming Liberia’s future for all children. Samuel has big ambitions: “I just want to go back to school and live a good life,” he shares. “Someday, I want to be a football player.”
Samuel, with his foreverv favorite toy 'Gifty" © Unicef/Vincent Tremeau/Studio Humanity
UNICEF’s ongoing work with Liberia’s government is bringing hope for children who, like Samuel and Daniel, deserve safety, compassion, and a second chance. Through initiatives like these, children across Liberia are given the opportunity to thrive in environments designed to protect them and support their growth. Jane is hopeful for her brothers’ futures: “I want them to dream big and know they can become anything. Thanks to UNICEF and Mr. James, they have the chance to make those dreams come true.”
