Gardnersville- Hope for Younger Individuals Integrated (HOFOYO) has formally launched its Campus Ambassador Membership Program, a youth-led nationwide initiative designed to forestall drug abuse and teenage being pregnant amongst highschool college students throughout Liberia.
This system was unveiled throughout a well-attended ceremony that introduced collectively college students, educators, authorities establishments, civil society actors, and growth companions. The launch marks a serious step in Liberia’s efforts to confront substance abuse and different dangerous behaviors affecting younger folks.
Analysis-Pushed Response to a Rising Disaster
Presenting an summary of the initiative, HOFOYO Govt Director Thomas Tamba Bundoo mentioned the Campus Ambassador Membership Program was developed following in depth community-based analysis carried out in 2022.
“Our findings confirmed that 85 p.c of younger folks at present abusing medicine began throughout their highschool years, largely as a consequence of peer stress,” Bundoo disclosed. “The analysis additionally established a powerful hyperlink between teenage being pregnant and insufficient steering, restricted life-skills schooling, and weak peer-support programs.”
Though conceived in 2022, implementation was delayed by funding challenges. The mission has now been realized with assist from Ambassador Leymah Roberta Gbowee by means of the Gbowee Peace Basis Africa, with implementation help from Paramount Younger Girls Initiative.
The six-month pilot part targets 10 excessive faculties in Gardnersville and Barnersville Townships, the place 50 chosen college students have been educated as Campus Ambassadors to function peer educators and advisors.
UL President Delivers Keynote
Delivering the keynote deal with, College of Liberia President Dr. Layli Phillips Maparyan described the initiative as “well timed, strategic, and deeply mandatory,” stressing that instructional establishments should transcend teachers to form character, management, and accountable citizenship.
“The statistics earlier than us are sobering,” Dr. Maparyan mentioned. “These will not be simply numbers; they characterize lives diverted, desires deferred, and households affected. This program acknowledges a essential reality — younger folks take heed to their friends.”
She reaffirmed the College of Liberia’s dedication to supporting nationwide efforts to curb drug abuse and teenage being pregnant, emphasizing prevention, empowerment, and mentorship as pillars for safeguarding Liberia’s future.
Ambassadors Share Testimonies
Talking on behalf of the educated ambassadors, Mary S. Nimely described the coaching as “intensive, sensible, and transformational.”
“We realized about drug abuse prevention, teenage being pregnant prevention, management, advocacy, and optimistic peer engagement,” Nimely mentioned, noting that the expertise strengthened their confidence, ethics, and sense of accountability.
“At this time, we stand not simply as college students, however as ambassadors of change,” she added.
A Holistic, Youth-Led Strategy
Beneath this system, Campus Ambassadors will spearhead school-based consciousness campaigns, peer counseling classes, neighborhood dialogues, and anti-drug advocacy actions. The initiative will even function a Excessive College Anti-Drug Sports activities Event to advertise wholesome competitors and constructive alternate options to substance abuse, although HOFOYO says extra funding continues to be being sought to totally implement the sports activities element.
The launch ceremony concluded with a colourful anti-drug parade by means of the streets of Gardnersville, symbolizing youth management, unity, and collective accountability.
Name for Collective Motion
HOFOYO says the Campus Ambassador Membership Program embodies a whole-of-society strategy, calling on authorities, civil society, households, faculties, and communities to work collectively. With educated scholar leaders on the forefront, the group goals to foster safer faculties, knowledgeable college students, and a era empowered to make wholesome life decisions.
“Once we spend money on younger folks early,” Bundoo mentioned, “we aren’t simply stopping hurt — we’re constructing Liberia’s future.”
