Day of Plans and Strategy

First full day of meetings and discussion completed. You could not help but be impressed with what this YMCA is doing. The engagement of young people and their committment and ability is stunning.

At 8.45am today I counted approximately 100 young people sitting in front of computer screens undergoing training in IT. We heard in the presentation this morning that 67% of the population are under 35 and 80% of the active population are unemployed. Staggering. Perhaps that is why the YMCA comes across with such passion to tackle the subsequent issues. It is great to see the Board members, CEO, Branch managers and senior staff including head of finance activitly contributing to the discussions on the new plan.

Also included in the group are the newly elected President and Vice President of the National Youth Council who are both young YMCA Volunteers.

One of the stakeholders present at the meeting, the president of the National Students Union said he was joined by the Federation of Liberian Youth in thanking the YMCA for their work on ensuring that youth issues are kept on the Governments agenda. The key areas of work that the YMCA in Liberia fall under three key themes, 'Youth Leadership', 'Education and Employment' and 'Health & Environment'. Their strap line is 'Empowering Young People for the African Renaissance'. Heading off now for a debrief on today before dinner with Carlos from African Alliance, Steve and Darlene from Totonto Canada, Ricco fromm Y USA and Harriet from Y Care International. I have not forgot about the promissed post on the former young combatants and we are also paying a courtesy visit to the Vice President of the Republic of Liberia. Expect more tomorrow,