By Jamesetta D. Williams
MONROVIA–The Ministry of Youth and Sports (MYS) has officially launched the National Vacation Job and Community Engagement Program, a nationwide initiative aimed at providing temporary employment, promoting community service, and equipping young Liberians with practical work experience and leadership skills during the school vacation.
Speaking at the launch on Monday, Acting Minister of Youth and Sports, Hon. Laraamand Nyonton, described the initiative as more than a temporary employment scheme, saying it is designed to transform young people into active contributors to national development.
“This program seeks to move young people from being passive observers to becoming active architects of change in their communities,” Nyonton said.
He urged beneficiaries to participate with a strong sense of civic responsibility, emphasizing that young people who contribute to planning, organizing, and improving their communities will develop a greater sense of ownership and commitment to Liberia’s future.
Nyonton further stressed the importance of national unity, noting that whether participants are deployed in Monrovia, Paynesville, Margibi, or other parts of the country, they all share the responsibility of serving their communities and contributing to national progress.
Quoting Philippians 4:13—”I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me”—the Acting Minister expressed confidence that sustained collaboration among government institutions, local authorities, and development partners would transform the Vacation Job Program into a long-term pathway for youth empowerment.
Montserrado County Superintendent Whroway Bryant commended the Government of Liberia and the Ministry of Youth and Sports for investing in the country’s young people through meaningful employment opportunities.
Bryant praised Acting Minister Nyonton and Deputy Minister for Youth Development Hon. Alphonso Y. Belleh for bringing renewed energy to youth development initiatives, while also recognizing the partnership between the Monrovia City Corporation (MCC) and the Paynesville City Corporation (PCC).
He encouraged participants to demonstrate discipline, professionalism, and commitment throughout the program, noting that their performance could open doors to future employment opportunities.
Paynesville City Mayor Robert Bestman described the initiative as a practical investment in Liberia’s future.
“This program gives participants an opportunity to earn income to support their education while gaining valuable work experience,” Bestman said.
He noted that many beneficiaries will be assigned to city corporations and other public institutions and urged them to report to work on time, carry out their duties diligently, and approach every assignment with seriousness, emphasizing that exceptional performance could lead to permanent employment opportunities.
Monrovia City Mayor John-Charuk Siafa thanked President Joseph Nyuma Boakai Sr. and the Ministry of Youth and Sports for creating meaningful opportunities for young Liberians.
He also commended Youth and Sports Minister Atty. Cornelia Wonkerleh Kruah and her leadership team for implementing programs that promote youth empowerment and community development.
“Treat this as an audition for a bigger job,” Siafa told participants. “Every day you report to work, act as though you are attending an interview because you never know who is watching.”
The Monrovia mayor further encouraged participants to uphold the values of teamwork, punctuality, discipline, accountability, and professionalism while taking pride in maintaining clean and healthy communities.
Earlier, Deputy Minister for Youth Development Hon. Alphonso Y. Belleh welcomed government officials, development partners, and beneficiaries on behalf of Minister Kruah. He reaffirmed the Ministry’s commitment to the National Youth Pathway Program and thanked the Monrovia and Paynesville City Corporations for partnering with the Ministry to ensure the successful implementation of the initiative.
The National Vacation Job and Community Engagement Program forms part of the Ministry of Youth and Sports’ broader strategy to equip young Liberians with practical work experience, strengthen civic engagement, promote environmental sanitation, and prepare participants for long-term employment while encouraging them to contribute meaningfully to national development
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