A Brighter Tomorrow:
UNICEF’s Let Us Learn Programme
and the
Transformation of Liberia’s Youth
© UNICEF / Vincent Tremeau / Studio Humanity
In a nation where educational opportunities have often been out of reach for many, UNICEF Liberia is steadfastly committed to fostering change through innovative programs like the Let Us Learn (LUL) Programme. This transformative initiative seeks to ensure that children and adolescents in Liberia can access quality education and develop vital life skills. By equipping youth with the tools they need to succeed, the LUL Programme aims to break the cycle of poverty and create a ripple effect of positive change that not only transforms individual lives but also uplifts entire communities.
The LUL Programme is strategically designed to align with Liberia’s national development goals and the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework, addressing the urgent need for comprehensive educational reform in the country. Through a multi-faceted approach, the program focuses on delivering inclusive and equitable educational opportunities, vocational training, and community engagement initiatives. By strengthening local ownership and empowering community-based structures, UNICEF is supporting a culture of resilience and self-sufficiency among Liberia's youth. This holistic strategy is vital for building a brighter future for the country’s young people, enabling them to contribute meaningfully to their communities and become the leaders of tomorrow.
Eben Kelvin Reeves © UNICEF / Vincent Tremeau / Studio Humanity
“I went through the program, became an inspiring person in the community, built a career, and changed my life. I am very thankful. I inform my community about the centre, as anyone can have a second chance.”
Transforming Lives through Vocational Training
At the forefront of UNICEF's educational initiatives is the New Kru Town Adolescents Resource Center, a vital hub for youth empowerment and development. This centre plays a crucial role in equipping young people with essential skills, helping them transition into productive adulthood and contributing positively to their communities. Through the Let Us Learn (LUL) Programme, UNICEF has implemented a holistic approach that combines vocational training with life skills development, addressing both the educational and socio-economic needs of adolescents.
Young people like Eben Kelvin Reeves, 27, have experienced profound transformations through these programs. Once a former addict, Eben credits the centre with turning his life around. “I went through the program, became an inspiring person in the community, built a career, and changed my life. I am very thankful. I inform my community about the centre, as anyone can have a second chance,” he reflects. Today, Eben works as a technician at the Liberia Water and Sewer Cooperation, exemplifying how the program can catalyse real and lasting change.
Children play outside in new Kru Town © UNICEF / Vincent Tremeau / Studio Humanity
Titoe N. Manneh, Special Assistant at the Office of the Governor for the Borough of New Kru Town, Monrovia, Liberia
© UNICEF / Vincent Tremeau / Studio Humanity
“The change in New Kru Town is quite visible. The youth are showing great interest in the program, and it’s essential that we continue to support their growth.”
The impact of the centre extends beyond individual success stories. Titoe N. Manneh, Special Assistant at the Office of the Governor for the Borough of New Kru Town, emphasises the centre's significance in engaging community development. “The change in New Kru Town is quite visible. The youth are showing great interest in the program, and it’s essential that we continue to support their growth,” he states. His insights underline the importance of sustaining such educational initiatives, which have become pivotal in nurturing the next generation of leaders in Liberia.
Children play in a street of New Kru Town © UNICEF / Vincent Tremeau / Studio Humanity
Agnes Juah Jaytor, a dedicated Social Worker Supervisor at the centre, further highlights the transformative effects of the program on both youth and their families. “Our work in the centre has a significant impact on the children in the community. It’s important to keep the New Kru Town Youth and Adolescent Center going because it strongly changes and positively influences the youth of the county. As a mother, I’ve also learned many values here, enabling me to raise strong and well-equipped children,” Agnes explains. Her commitment reflects the centre’s broader mission to empower young people while fostering a supportive environment for their families.
Through comprehensive vocational training in areas such as computer skills, tailoring, hospitality, and life skills, the New Kru Town Adolescents Resource Center embodies UNICEF's commitment to transforming lives. It serves as a proof to the belief that education is not merely a privilege but a right that can unlock the potential of individuals and communities alike.
Agnes Juah Jaytor with the children © UNICEF / Vincent Tremeau / Studio Humanity
Equipping Women and Families
UNICEF’s commitment to education extends to vulnerable mothers and their children through centres like the Buchanan Youth Opportunity Center in Grand Bassa. This centre, part of the Let Us Learn (LUL) Programme, focuses on providing holistic educational opportunities that empower both mothers and their children. It offers three categories of education: Early Youth Education, Catering, and Soap Making, allowing mothers to learn valuable skills while their children are cared for in a nurturing environment.
Jallah T. Sekpeh, the County Coordinator, emphasises the centre’s positive impact, stating, “The centre’s activities have a profound impact. Mothers gain skills for financial independence while their children learn foundational skills, such as basic maths, the alphabet, and social skills, all while having fun.” For example, Enoch Flomo, a bright 12-year-old, shares how joining the youth centre at the age of five has influenced him. “I love the playground, and I’ve learned essential skills like maths and the alphabet,” he says, dreaming of becoming a driver one day to explore the world.
“I love the playground, and I’ve learned essential skills like maths and the alphabet.”
Enoch Flomo © UNICEF / Vincent Tremeau / Studio Humanity
Women like Nancy Newman, 17, benefit immensely from this dual-focus education. “I can learn to cook while my baby is taken care of right here at the same time,” she shares, highlighting the critical balance between personal development and motherhood. Similarly, Jerroine M. Davis, a 17-year-old mother of three, expresses her gratitude: “Bringing my children to the centre while learning to cook has been very supportive. I’m learning skills that I hope will provide a better future for my children.”
The centre also serves as a space for empowerment and resilience. Lovetee Gboyah, 22, a mother of one, is learning soap-making to improve her livelihood. “I want to create a better life for my child, and I want to have skills that bring income,” she says, showcasing her determination to gain financial independence. Princess Ngankoon, 21, attends the program with her child, eager to learn new skills that will benefit her family. Everlyne Teah, 18, shares similar aspirations, stating, “I want to acquire skills that will help me support myself and my child.”
Mercy Johnny, the supervisor of the centre, plays a crucial role in guiding these women. “I oversee the catering program and support the women enrolled,” she explains, reflecting the collaborative spirit that characterises the centre. Having experienced abuse herself, Mercy is acutely aware of the challenges many women face in Liberia. “It happens to many women, and I want every women to learn strong skills to manage their families and stand strong despite whatever challenges they encounter,” she emphasises. Mercy believes that the centre is a powerful starting point for many women, providing them with the skills and confidence necessary to build a better future for themselves and their families. She passionately advocates for the growth of the centre, recognizing its potential to empower women and transform lives throughout the community.
Patience Zoe, 22, adds another layer to this narrative of transformation. She discusses her journey to empowerment: “My experiences motivate me to teach women to be resilient and acquire skills for self-sufficiency,” she explains, demonstrating how the program nurtures resilience and self-confidence among participants.
Buchanan Youth Opportunity Center Grand Bassa © UNICEF / Vincent Tremeau / Studio Humanity
The Skills for a Brighter Future
At the West Point Adolescent Resource Center, young people are learning essential skills that prepare them for future employment. The centre offers training in computer literacy, baking, hairdressing, and life skills. Alice E. Mensah, 21, a peer educator learning tailoring, asserts, “The impact of the centre on my life and education is very good. It has opened doors I never thought possible. I learn here to design hair and to sew.”
James Dennue, 24, who is also a peer educator learning computer skills, reflects on his experience, saying, “The centre has positively influenced my life. I now have the confidence to use the computer and it is very important for many jobs.” Such testimonials illustrate the transformative potential of vocational training in fostering independence and resilience.
“The centre has positively influenced my life. I now have the confidence to use the computer and it is very important for many jobs.”
West Point Adolescent Resource Center. James (above) and Alice (below in the middle) © UNICEF / Vincent Tremeau / Studio Humanity
“The impact of the centre on my life and education is very good. It has opened doors I never thought possible. I learn here to design hair and to sew.”
Patience at her work © UNICEF / Vincent Tremeau / Studio Humanity
Patience Williams, 24, Tailor.
Patience’s journey began at West Point Adolescent Resource Center, where she gained the skills and confidence to pursue tailoring. Now, as a dedicated single mother and full-time tailor in West Point, Liberia, she balances her craft with providing for her young child. For Patience, tailoring is more than a livelihood—it’s a path to independence and a proof to the resilience she found through her training.
“Music is an international tool that educates and inspires.”
Kutar C. Morgan © UNICEF / Vincent Tremeau / Studio Humanity
Music as a Catalyst for Change
In Rock Hill Community, Kutar C. Morgan, Jr., a 23-year-old music teacher, embodies the creativity nurtured by the Let Us Learn (LUL) Programme. “Music is an international tool that educates and inspires,” he states, emphasising the universal language of music that transcends cultural barriers. Kutar’s personal journey has been shaped by his passion for music, which he believes can play a crucial role in transforming lives. Motivated by his own experiences teaching in the programme, he wrote an original piece titled “Let Us Learn,” a song he performs with his students. This song not only serves as a medium for artistic expression but also carries a powerful message about the importance of education and resilience.
Through his teaching, Kutar offers children the opportunity to learn basic music skills and instruments, engaging them in a creative process that builds confidence and brings a sense of community. “I see music as a way to impact the minds of the youth,” he explains. By integrating music education into his curriculum, Kutar encourages his students to express themselves, share their stories, and develop critical thinking skills. His approach demonstrates how music can be a catalyst for change, motivating young people to embrace their potential and inspire others within their communities.
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Kutar with his students © UNICEF / Vincent Tremeau / Studio Humanity
A Future Built on Collaboration
The Let Us Learn Programme has been instrumental in aligning educational strategies with national policies, emphasising local ownership and collaboration. UNICEF Liberia actively leverages resources from various partners, including SIDA and the Government of Japan, to bridge funding gaps and ensure program continuity.
As UNICEF continues to champion education for all, it recognizes that lasting change requires collaboration and commitment from all sectors of society. The stories of individuals like Eben, Alice, Lovetee, and many others exemplify the resilience and potential of Liberia’s youth.
Through education, UNICEF is empowering a generation to rise, thrive, and contribute to a better tomorrow. With programs like the LUL, Liberia is not just investing in its youth today; it is laying the foundation for a more prosperous and equitable future.
