ENABLED
PROJECT SUMMARY:
Youth Action International and Humanity Unites Brilliance have formally launched a new project called ENABLED. The project is geared at identifying and providing training and economic support to young people in Liberia who became physically disabled as a result of that country’s recently ended civil war.
Through ENABLED, 250 physically disabled youths will receive vocational and computer training to help them form a cooperative. Once formed, the cooperative will help its members
 Produce quality merchandise and market it both locally and via global
market places such as HUB, 4Real,
and Ebay.
A part of the profits from the business will be placed in a Village Savings Program to enable the youth have guaranteed access to resources to expand their businesses or to train additional youths in years to come. Once set up, ENABLED will become completely self sustainable.
BACKGROUND:
During the war, more than 200,000 people were killed, and the entire national infrastructure destroyed. Any child older than two years old has only witnessed war and bloodshed. A vast majority of the children in Liberia are severely traumatized as a result of the heinous atrocities they experienced.
Many Liberian children became physically disabled as a result of the civil war. They became disabled either because of direct participation as child soldiers or as a result of childhood illnesses such as polio. Unfortunately, disabled youths in Liberia are severely stigmatized. Physically disabled youth who were former combatants are mistreated because of their participation in atrocities. Youth who became disabled because of childhood illnesses are stigmatized because their disability is attributed to witchcraft. In general, physically disabled youth are not accepted into the workforce, have no source of income and spend their lives living as beggars.
Youth Action International believes that young people with physical disabilities in Liberia are entitled to the equal opportunities. They can and should be a part of the rebuilding process. Further, they should not be marginalized, or stigmatized because of disabilities.
OUTCOME
- 250 physically disabled youths identified and their specific needs accessed
- 250 physically disabled youths receive training either in vocational training or career development
- A cooperative is set up to help the young develop and market their products nationally an internationally through the internet
- 100,000+ people are sensitized around issues with disability
ABOUT YOUTH ACTION INTERNATIONAL:
Youth Action International, or YAI, is a global nonprofit working to rebuild war-torn African communities. The organization establishes safe and healthy environments for women and their children by providing for their core needs and developing new community infrastructure. YAI is run by a network of young international leaders who are defining a new approach to delivering humanitarian aid. By leveraging the use of local materials and employing local people, YAI maximizes the economic and social impact of programs which include building schools and playgrounds, as well as micro-lending.
YAI was started and inspired by acclaimed youth activist Kimmie Weeks, a survivor of the Liberian Civil War. At age nine, after nearly being buried alive as a result of disease, hunger and suffering, Weeks pledged to spend his life helping children. At age 16, Weeks successfully headed Liberia’s Children’s Disarmament Campaign, an effort to lobby the disarmament of approximately 20,000 Liberian child soldiers. Two years later, his work led Liberian President Charles Taylor and his government to attempt to have Weeks assassinated. As a result, Kimmie was forced to flee to the United States.
While in the U.S., Kimmie continues to grow his vision and invite other youth to partner in the mission. YAI focuses on post-war countries that have faced the worst situations of all - they are beyond the need of international emergency services, but not yet advanced enough to have a self-sustaining commercial economy. These countries face the daily realities of hunger, and a lack of basic needs such as clean water, safe schools, parks and medical care. |
