MYS A4AD Program Delivers Sewing Machines to Youth Centers to Strengthen Vocational Training
MYS A4AD Program Delivers Sewing Machines to Youth Centers to Strengthen Vocational Training.
The Ministry of Youth and Sports (MYS), through its Accelerated Action for Adolescent Development (A4AD) Program, with support from the Luminos Fund, has delivered 37 sewing machines to youth centers in Gbarnga, Tubmanburg, and Robertsport to enhance vocational skills training for young people.
Presenting the equipment over the weekend, A4AD Program Coordinator Mr. Arkie Gailor expressed appreciation to Youth and Sports Minister Hon. Cornelia Kruah and Mr. James Kiawion, Country Manager of the Luminos Fund, for their leadership and continued commitment to youth empowerment and skills development in Liberia.
Mr. Gailor explained that the Ministry of Youth and Sports and the Luminos Fund have established a strong partnership aimed at providing literacy, numeracy, and vocational skills training through the Youth Literacy Program and the A4AD initiative, targeting out-of-school youth between the ages of 15 and 30.
“The program is structured to provide six months of literacy and numeracy training, followed by six months of vocational and livelihood skills development,” Gailor stated.
He disclosed that the initiative is currently being implemented in five youth centers and eight communities across Nimba, Bong, Bomi, and Grand Cape Mount Counties, with approximately 1,200 young people enrolled.
According to him, upon completion of the literacy and numeracy phase, all participants transition into livelihood and vocational skills training, with each county offering two thematic skill areas tailored to local opportunities and community needs.
Beyond the sewing machines, the Luminos Fund has also supported the program with training materials for additional vocational disciplines, including pastry production, soap making, and hairdressing.
“These interventions not only provide literacy, numeracy, and vocational skills to thousands of young people across participating communities, but they also contribute to economic empowerment, social stability, and sustainable livelihood opportunities, enabling beneficiaries to realize their full potential and make meaningful contributions to their communities and Liberia as a whole,” Gailor emphasized.
The collaboration between the Ministry of Youth and Sports and the Luminos Fund began in 2025, during which 484 young people successfully graduated from the six-month Youth Literacy Program.
The current cycle is expected to conclude with approximately 1,200 youth graduating and transitioning into the A4AD vocational skills training phase.
