Kakata Center
Our safe spaces for children in Kakata are more than a physical location; they are for growth, protection, and well-being. In a location like Kakata which has a population of 35,000 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 Kakata serves as a dedicated facility created to offer a secure and supervised environment for Children and adolescents across communities in Kakata. 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
Olivia Sackie
Olivia Sackie is a physically challenged beneficiary who was born and raised by her father Mr. Joseph Sackie in Gotumo Town Community, Kakata Margibi County. Olivia’s ordeal began 10 years ago at the age of ten when she developed a high fever, causing weakness in her both legs and later got diagnosed with poliomyelitis. Olivia has developed a disability affecting both lower extremities and she barely walks without the aid of a crutch or pair of crutches. Ever since Olivia grew up and saw her condition, life has never been easy. “When I see my friends going to school, I can feel bad”. Complicated by her father’s failure to send her to school due to her condition, Olivia has gone through extreme difficulties and abject poverty. “At one point, I felt like giving up. The idea of taking my own life begin to make lots of sense to me”.
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 Kakata. 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 our 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 Kakata. 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 Kakata as part of their interventions on 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 assigned to their communities to provide these services. These unskilled adolescents and youth, now skilled, were provided with skills in Tailoring, Pastry, and cosmetology.