Gbarnga Center
Our safe spaces for children in Gbarnga are more than a physical location; they are for growth, protection, and well-being. In a location like Gbarnga which has a population of 48,000 inhabitants, and faces its share of challenges, these spaces play a vital role in shaping the future of children in that part of Liberia.
The Safe Space Center established by Youth Crime Watch of Liberia in Gbarnga serves as a dedicated facility created to offer a secure and supervised environment for Children and adolescents across communities in Gbarnga. 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.
Success stories
Tenneh Flomo
Tenneh Flomo is a seventeen (17) years old adolescent and teenage mother benefiting from the Let Us Learn project in Gbarnga. As early as 3 years, Tenneh’s mother dashes her to the care of her grandmother. Ma Nowai Issac raised Tenneh and the other siblings; with a small income generated from the sales of straw brooms, her grandmother began sending Tenneh to school. It was now Tenneh got involved in life. “My grandma didn’t have much to do everything for me, so I decided to find someone to help me”. She soon got impregnated and dropped out of school after just completing the 2nd-grade class.
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 Gbarnga. 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 Gbarnga. 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 Gbarnga 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 is part of UNICEF Project interventions and has helped over 35 adolescents and Youth with a 9-month training and are