By Stephen G. Fellajuah
Maryland, Liberia; July 18, 2025 – Youngsters from Maryland, Grand Kru, and Montserrado counties have submitted a heartfelt petition to members of the Liberian Senate, calling for pressing enhancements in schooling, healthcare, job creation, and justice. The petition was offered throughout the ninth Annual Peace Via Truthful Play (PTFP) Camp, organized by the Gbowee Peace Basis Africa (GPFA).
Talking on behalf of friends, N. Kenneth Weah, a scholar of Our Girl of Fatima Excessive College in Harper, Maryland County, thanked lawmakers for latest growth tasks, resembling new roads, colleges, hospitals, and clear water system, which have begun to enhance life in Liberia’s rural counties.
“These enhancements assist our households and provides us hope for the long run,” Weah stated.
He emphasised that the younger individuals of the camp weren’t merely campers, however voices of numerous youngsters throughout the southeastern area. “We wish to share our real-life struggles and desires so that you just perceive what we face day by day,” he stated.
Many rural colleges lack certified lecturers, up to date textbooks, and correct science laboratories. College students usually stroll lengthy distances, over 5 kilometers, to attend college. Overcrowded school rooms additional problem lecturers’ capacity to offer college students enough consideration.
Well being providers are sometimes inaccessible, with clinics situated far aside and under-equipped. There’s a scarcity of medical doctors, nurses, and important medical provides. Mother and father typically should journey lengthy distances to cities simply to get primary vaccines or medical check-ups for his or her youngsters.
Most dad and mom have interaction in farming or petty buying and selling, whereas others battle with low incomes and job insecurity. Many households can’t afford college charges, resulting in frequent expulsions resulting from unpaid arrears.
Entry to justice stays restricted. Police stations and courts are sometimes unavailable in rural areas, making it tough for households to hunt safety or resolve disputes. Youngsters and their households can really feel unsafe and powerless within the absence of a robust authorized system.
The kids respectfully urged members of the Liberian Legislature to put money into Training, recruit extra educated lecturers, provide up to date studying supplies, and renovate college infrastructure.
Construct extra clinics and equip them with mandatory medical instruments and personnel, together with cellular well being models, to achieve distant communities.
Launch vocational coaching facilities and supply assist for small companies to extend job alternatives for fogeys and youth.
Make sure the presence of regulation enforcement and courts in rural communities to advertise security and authorized safety for all residents.
The kids ended their petition with a hopeful message:
“With higher roads, schooling, well being, jobs, and justice, we imagine all Liberian youngsters can have a brighter future. We hope you’ll keep in mind our voices and do every part attainable to deal with these wants, particularly protecting our nation peaceable, in order that we will develop up safely collectively.” Their voices now relaxation with the Senate, carrying the hopes of a technology that desires of a extra simply, wholesome, and affluent Liberia. The petition acknowledged. – Enhancing by Jonathan Browne
