Dolo’s Town Center
Dolo’s Town is situated in Margibi County, which is in the central part of Liberia. It is approximately 60 kilometers (about 37 miles) from the capital city of Monrovia. Youth Crime Watch of Liberia has a safe space for children. The safe space helps children to grow and protects them. In a location like Dolo’s Town where children’s rights have been abused and violated and face its share of challenges, these spaces play a vital role in shaping the future of children in that part of Liberia.
Success stories
Jeter Peter
Jeter Peter is December 25, 2011, born; he was born to the union of Mr. Welemomgar Peter and Mrs. Oretha Peter in Grand Bassa County Liberia. Jeter grew up with his parents up to ten years old and his parents were unable to send him to school due to financial constraints. Jeter was later brought to Dolo’s Town to stay with his sister to see if he would have the opportunity to go to school. However, it was an unfortunate situation for him again where he was not opportune to go to school.
One day, Jeter’s sister was on her way to the market to sell cold water fish when she passes the adolescent’s safe space and saw that the Social Worker Roberta Siawor and the Guidance Counsellor Princetta D.G David in the process of recruitment for the TVET beneficiaries. Mercy Kanneh, Jeter’s sister decided to stop and make use of the opportunity that her brother could join and be a part of the program instead of Jeter doing nothing and passing from one place to another.
The Safe Space Center established by Youth Crime Watch of Liberia in Dolo’s Town serves as a dedicated facility created to offer a secure and supervised environment for Children and adolescents across communities. This center facilitates informal and unstructured social interaction among children and adolescents of various age groups while also providing space for more organized activities. Through this center, children have the chance to engage in recreational and educational activities and receive literacy, and numeracy skills through the Street Library program, thereby aiding in the development of their physical, social, emotional, and cognitive skills. Moreover, this space enables children and adolescents to experience a sense of accomplishment, enjoyment, and acknowledgment.
These are activities implemented at the Center:
In the heart of rural Liberia, where opportunities can be scarce, foundational life skills sessions for children and adolescents are sowing the seeds of empowerment, resilience, and personal development. Youth Crime Watch of Liberia hired and trained 10 adolescents as Peer Educators to roll out Foundational life Skills sessions both in schools and communities across Dolo’s Town. These sessions offer a lifeline to children and adolescents, equipping them with essential life skills that not only enhance their own lives but also contribute to the vitality and growth of their communities. This initiative represents a beacon of hope, fostering self-confidence, problem-solving abilities, and the capacity to envision a brighter future.
Counseling sessions are rolled out under the “UNICEF Let Us Learn Project” for children and adolescents at our safe space. These sessions provide a safe, confidential, and empathetic environment for children and adolescents to address a wide range of personal, emotional, and social challenges. Our dedicated social workers are trained professionals, and they work closely with children and women to explore their concerns, provide guidance, and empower them to lead healthier and more fulfilling lives. YCWL counseling sessions for children are designed to be child-centric, with activities and communication methods tailored to their age, understanding, and comfort level.
In Rural Liberia, ensuring that every child has a legal identity through birth registration is a fundamental step towards securing their rights, access to services, and a brighter future. At our center, we take this commitment to heart. We believe that every child deserves the opportunity to be officially recognized and protected under the law, regardless of their circumstances. Therefore, we are dedicated to facilitating and promoting birth registrations for children with a particular focus on our center in Unification Town. Youth Crime Watch of Liberia partnership with the Ministry of Health and Social Wealth (Bureau of Vital Statistics). YCWL Registered about a thousand children in Dolo’s Town as part of their interventions in the UNICEF Let Us Learn Project.
Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) plays a pivotal role in equipping Adolescents and youth with the skills, knowledge, and practical experience needed to succeed in various professions. YCWL TVET programs are designed to bridge the gap between education and the workforce by focusing on hands-on training, technical skills development, and industry-relevant education. The Program also provides financial literacy training and Job placement for these adolescents/youths who go through the skills training. The Program is part of UNICEF Project interventions to help unskilled adolescents and youth with skills in Pastry, and cosmetology. About 30 adolescents and Youth have benefitted from a 9-month training and are assigned to their communities to provide these services.
