REPORT ON ANTI-POST ELECTIONS VIOLENCE TOURNAMENT HOSTED BY YONER-LIBERIA

REPORT OF SPORTS EVENT HOSTED BY YONER-LIBERIA UNDER THE THEME “PROMOTING THE CULTRE OF TOLERANCE BY COUTERING POST ELECTIONS VIOLENCE IN LIBERIA WHICH WAS SPONSORED BY LIBERIA YMCA

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The youth interactive kickball and soccer  tournament was held for two days involving eight (8) communities in the Paynesville City, having both soccer and kickball categories. It was hosted and implemented under the theme:” Promoting the Culture of Tolerance by Countering Post Election Violence in Liberia”. The tournament lasted from July 9-10 2011 hosting approximately five hundred (500-about 200 females and 300 males) persons predominantly from the Paynesville City with few others from communities outside of Paynesville.

On July 9, 2011 at about 10:00AM the tournament was however preceded by a grand awareness match beginning at the Police Academy Junction to the Sports Pitch that pulled a large crowed which contained the participating communities and sundries of on lookers who were attracted by such great initiative of national interest. During the course of the awareness match, hundreds of flyers were distributed as several persons were dressed in the T-shirts bearing the logos of both the YMCA supporting youth livelihoods and governance and YONER-LIBERIA as sponsor and implementer of the program respectively. By a huge banner of the YMCA supporting youth livelihood and governance project which clearly suggested the pivotal role of the YMCA as well as the banner of YONER-LIBERI that displayed the theme of the program ensuring a massive extension of the program purpose. Subsequently, after the awareness match was the formal opening program marked by speeches, remarks and several messages indicative of the significance of tolerance made by institutional Representatives including the YMCA Peer Educators.

On the same day, there were series of games which led to the Shara (in Duport Road) and Paynesville Joe Bar Communities to progress to the final of the soccer category while the Police Academy and GSA Road Communities settled for the third place and the Seekey and Harmon Field-Police Academy Communities combined secured their places in the final of the kickball category.

On the 10^th of July which was the final day, the Police Academy - Harmon Field Communities combined emerged as champions over Seekey Community while the Seekey Community sealed the “third place” spot over GSA Road Community. In the soccer category and the Paynesville Joe Bar Community boys emerged over the Shara Community (inside Duport road) in a 1-0 win.

Finally, a colorful ceremony was conducted by presenting certificates of participation and honor as well as cash prizes to the deserving winners in both games. The program was climaxed with an interlude of music and dances by participating teams and well-wishers as well as members and officials of both YONER-LIBERIA and YMCA Peer Educators.

LIST OF COMMUNITY TEAMS THAT PARTICIPATED

1.      GSA Community

2.      Shara –Duport Road Community

3.      Joe bar Community

4.      Police Academy

5.      Harmon Field

6.      Outland Community

7.      Seekey Community

8.      Zayzay Community

LIST OF MATCH COMMSSIONERS

1.      Edward Weah

2.      Joshua Wisner

3.      Garmondyu J. Saydyu

LIST OF PROGRAM COMMTTEE MEMBERS

1.      John S. M. Yormie, Jr. Chair

2. Garmondyu J. Saydyu-Co-

3. J. Garmondyu Greaves-Secretary

4. Foday C. Amara-Member

5. T. Emmanuel Johnson-Member

6. Asatu P. Greaves-member

7. Terry J. Socro-Member

8. Amos Nyndroh

9. Joseph Mikely-Member

10. Joshua Wisner-Member

11. J. Andrew Greaves- Advisor

12. Emmanuel Bropleh-Advisor

13. Ms. Era Jappah-Advisor

MAJOR ACHEIVEMENTS

Ø  YONER-LIBERIA successfully distributed over one five hundred (500- about 200 females and 300 males) pieces of flyers displaying Anti-Post Elections Violence messages and other messages of tolerance and the relevance of such to a country like Liberia;

Ø  YONER-LIBERIA also distributed 48 pieces of T-shirts clearly displaying the theme of the tournament at the back and the logs of YONER-LIBERIA and YMCA –LIBERIA at the front;

Ø  YONER-LIBERIA was able to establish a preliminary partnership with the St. Clements University-Liberia;

Ø  The program was implemented without incursion of any bodily casualties or injuries and any form of violence depicting the level of cooperation and compliance to promote the culture of tolerance as was anticipated by so highly.

LESSONS LEARNT AND LIMITATIONS

Ø  The program capital intensive thereby created a condition of additional funds raised by members and officials of YONER-LIBERIA in evidence of “self help initiative”.

Ø  The communities were cooporative and turned out in mass numbers therefore causing the shelter difficulties during the rainy day.

RECOMMENDATIONS

Predicated on our own program experience and the demands for societal growth and development as embedded in the sense of stability for overall development we have resolved to recommend the followings:

Ø  That the YMCA supporting youth livelihoods and governance project in Liberia must remain supportive to such initiative (s) to YONER-LIBERIA and other institutions alike.

Ø  That the YMCA supporting youth livelihoods and governance project should increase the visual Aids capacity of their Peer Educators for the continuation of this project and other projects alike.

YONER-LIBERIA CURRENT MEMBERSHIP

MEMBERSHIP

1. J. ANDREW  GREAVES--------------------------------------VISION BEARER, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
2. MISS ERA JAPPAH-------------------------------------- DEPUTY.  EXECUTIVE  DIRECTOR

3 TOBAIS N. PORTE, JR.—--------------------------------SECRETARY GENERAL

4.TERRY J. SOCRO—--------------------------------------ASST. SECRETARY

5. FODAY C. AMARA ------------------------------------- FINANCE OFFICER/ACCOUNTANT
6. Ms. DANIELYN B. BALLAH--------------------------- ASST. FINANCE OFFICER/ACCOUNTANT
7. GARMONDYU J. SAYDYU—--------------------------PROGRAM SUPERVISOR
8. Ms. GARMAI SUPOE---------------------------------ASSISTANT PROGRAM SUPERVISOR
9. Mrs. ANNEST WILLIE------------------------ ------HEALTH PROGRAM COORDINATOR
10. Ms. ASATU TUPEE DAVIS ------------------------ ASST. HEALTH PROGRAM COORDINATOR
11. JOSEPH MIKLEY -----------------------------------EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM COORDINATOR
12. Ms. LOUISE TISDELL------------------------------ASST. EDUCATIONAL COORDINATOR
13. EMMANUEL T.JOHNSON-------------------------PROCUREMENT OFFICER
14. JOSHUA WISNER---------------------------------ASST. PROCUREMENT OFFICER
15. JOHN YORMIE, JR.------------------------------MONITORING & EVALUATION OFFICER
16. J. GARMONDYU GREAVES-------------------- ASST. MONITORING & EVALUATION OFFICER
17. Ms. ABIOSEH WISSEH ------------------------PUBLIC RELATION OFFICER
18. FIAH D. YEALUE------------------------------ ASST. PUBLIC REALTION OFFICER
19. Ms. SONNIE JALLAH-------------------------MEMBER
20. Ms. MERCY BALLAH------------------------ MEMBER
21. GEORGE KOLLIE,JR.-----------------------MEMBER
22. Ms. TELEWO WOLOGBAH----------------MEMBER
23. Ms. FELECIA DOEGOLIA—-------------MEMBER
24. Ms. JUDITH TOGAR--------------------MEMBER
25. JONATHAN DAYUGAR----------------MEMBER

          BOARD MEMBERS

1. Mrs. ANNEST WILLIE----------------------- CHAIRPERSON
2. Mrs. GLORIA BALLAH---------------------- CO- CHAIRPERSON
3. J. ANDREW GRAEVES----------------------- SECRETARY
4. ATTN. FREDDIE R. TAYLOR.JR.-------------LEGAL COUNSEL
5. HON. LETITIA A. REEVES------------------- ADVISOR

 

ONER-LIBERIA OVERALL PROGRAMS IN PAYMESVILLE CITY & THE COUNTRY:

YONER-LIBERIA OVERALL PROGRAMS IN PAYMESVILLE CITY & THE COUNTRY:

 Programs can include life skills and basic education, job training and placement, entrepreneurship, and other youth – friendly services targeting disadvantaged children, young people, including orphans and vulnerable children. Working closely in line with national, governmental, non-governmental organizations, international charities and volunteers the program seeks to increase its effectiveness in working with children and young people.

Basic apprenticeship and vocational Skills, Training or Re-training

Provide creative educational opportunities for entry into employment

Develop a communication strategy to improve literacy and numeracy skills

Provide access for children and young people’s involvement in projects activities such as drama, music, sports, culture, film making, and volunteering

Raise ICT skills levels for progression into gainful employment

Provide information on career development opportunities

ACTIVITIES:

Visits to schools-secondary/Tertiary, market places, motor-packs etc to give talks/ seminars/Distribute IEC materials on relevant issues,-organizing allies/workshops/programs in accordance with our aims and objectives,-use of drama/play lets-TV, RADIO, talk shows, songs, jingles to pass information across to the society-participating in other programs and activities in support of our sole aim of working towards a better nation, Creating of awareness among youths in communities, the Streets and in schools on the direct negative and positive impacts of sexual exploitation, rape, HIV/AIDS, youth education, unity, peace, capacity building and development.

Discouraging the participation of youths in rape, sexual abuse, rudeness, early marriage, abortion  and early sex, Promoting the culture of education, non-violent advocacy as a mean of addressing issues of concerned, peace, and development in Liberia through social research, seminars, workshops and other formal and informal legal gatherings, Mobilizing youth actions against child abuse, sexual exploitation, rape, violence etc; Encouraging and facilitating the training of youth through national unity, educating of youth through scholarships, seminars, workshops training etc, Mobilizing resources at local, national and international levels for the attainment of YONER objectives; Initiating the formation of a LIBERIAN YOUTH NETWORK FOR REFROM-(LIYONER) against rape, sexual exploitation/abuse, child abuse and promoting of youth education and capacity building; Collaborating with the Government of Liberia, non-governmental organizations and private individuals or groups to enable us see the smooth flow of our activities or programs.

CORE STRATEGY:

Capacity building, Advocacy, and campaign, Health care reform and public health education, community mobilization, Research, monitoring and Evaluation.

This organization has identified several objectives for the advancement of its goal. These objectives will, from time, be translated into attainable programs that may be in the form of awareness, workshop, seminars, counseling, symposia, civil action, Advocacy, information dissemination, dialogue, round-table discussions, kick-ball, soccer matches and conferences.

YONER-LIBERIA MOST RECENT ACCOMPLISHMENTS/ ACHEVIEMENTS:

Since the formation of this noble youth organization, we have enthusiastically and successfully coordinated and implemented several self-community and youth development programs/ projects.  s

1.1. COMMUNITY SERVICES/CLEAN-UPCAMPAIGNS

We have carried out clean-up campaigns in some communities within Paynesville (Red Light and its environs, Harmon Field, Outland, Duport Road, and Police Academy Communities respectively.  Again, every first Saturday as proclaimed by the President (Madam Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf) to clean the City and its environs we collaborate with the Paynesville City Corporation to clean major areas of the city and its environs.

On May 1-3, 2009, we also collaborated with the VISION SISTERS FOR DEVELOPMENT, INC.-based in the Peace Island Community and celebrated GLOBAL YOUTH SERVICE DAY at which time we cleaned the Black Jennie and West Point Communities; Hon. Mary T. Broh, the then Chair of the Presidential Task Force delivered the keynote address at the First United Methodist Church conference Hall.

1.2. SPORTS

Sports are part of our programs that we use to easily bring children and youth together for the realization of our objective goals and purposes; we have staged several youth interactive kickball and soccer leagues within the City since our existence.  

On February 11, 2010, we staged a youth interactive and reconciliation tournament that brought together 8 communities from within the City in observance of the Armed Focuses Day of Liberia. Prizes were awarded to winners in various categories.

 From March 1-29, 2010, we staged a one month youth interactive kickball and soccer league which brought together 18 communities from within Paynesville.  Prizes were also awarded to winners in various categories as well.

1.3. HEALTH EDUCATION INITIATIVES

We observed 2010 World AIDS Day first of its kind within the City with 11 high school with support from the Ministry of Youth & Sports, the National AIDS Control Programme, Individuals and technical support from the Paynesville City Corporation.

Interns of our education and capacity building program, a team of our organization was trained by the MERCY SHIPS HIV/AIDS TEAM for the period of two months and at the end of this training we were given some materials after which we also trained 50 youth/students from 11 secondary and junior secondary schools within Paynesville in HIV/AIDS prevention, care and its associated stigma and discrimination.

1.4. EDUCATION & CAPACITY BUILDING

Interns of our educational and capacity building program, these are some of our achievements:    

Through the offices of the Paynesville Acting City Mayor (Hon. Letitia A. Reeves), six (6) youths have gone through the Jury training exercise at the Civil Law Court at the Temple of Justice R/L; we currently have three (3) participating in this term of Court.  

Also, through the financial contribution of the City Mayor, we graduated 5 youth from secondary school during the 2009 and 2010 academic school year. Currently, 10 youths are enrolling at some secondary and junior secondary schools within the city.  

Through constructive advocacy and engagement, Hon. Kuku Y. Dorbor (Dist. # 6, Representative), sponsored four (4) of our youths to complete six months computer training program.

Also, Hon. Thomas P. Fallah (Dist. # 7, Representative), helped five (5) of our youths to enroll and completed a six (6) months computer training program in his personal Computer Training Institute.

We presently have 5 additional youths who are undergoing six months computer training skills.

A team of our organization was trained by the MERCY SHIPS HIV/AIDS TEAM for the period of two months. At the end of this training we were given some materials after which we also trained 50 youth/students from 11 secondary and junior secondary schools within Paynesville in HIV/AIDS prevention, care and its associated stigma and discrimination.

Despite this organization is newly formed; we have been involved in different youth activities. This awareness on HIV/AIDS will be first of its kind in the Paynesville if it meets your approval.

1.4. EDUCATION & CAPACITY BUILDING

Interns of our educational and capacity building program, these are some of our achievements:    

Through the offices of the Paynesville Acting City Mayor (Hon. Letitia A. Reeves), six (6) youths have gone through the Jury training exercise at the Civil Law Court at the Temple of Justice R/L.:

The beneficiaries are as follow:

1.       Foday Amara

2.       Garmondyu Greaves

3.       Garmondyu Saydyu

4.       Ms. Garmai Supoe

5.       Joshua Wisner

6.       Gloria Mitchell

Also, through the financial contribution of the City Mayor and other well-meaning individuals, we graduated 3 youth from secondary school during the 2009 and 2010 academic school year. Currently, 10 youths are enrolling at some secondary and junior secondary schools within the city for the 2010l2011 academic. The beneficiaries are as follow:

1.       Edward Weah

2.       Morris D. Miller

3.       Joshua Wisner

Through constructive advocacy and engagement, Hon. Kuku Y. Dorbor (Dist. # 6, Representative), sponsored three (3) of our youths to complete six months computer training program. The beneficiaries are as follow:

1.       J. Andrew Greaves

2.       Foday Amara

3.       Mrs. Denell H. Dobson

Also, Hon. Thomas P. Fallah (Dist. # 7, Representative), helped five (5) of our youths to enroll and completed a six (6) months computer training program in his personal Computer Training Institute. The beneficiaries are as follow:

1.       Ms. Telewo Wologbah

2.       Ms. Judith Togar

3.       Zunnah Haines

4.       Nyoundy S. Greaves

5.       George Kollie, Jr.

We presently have 6 additional youths who are benefiting from our scholarship program through the financial assistance of Hon. Letitia A. Reeves, Acting City Mayor of Paynesville and are attending various primary and secondary schools within Paynesville City.  The beneficiaries are as follow:

1.       Ms. Sonnie Jallah-Weltonia Christian School-9^th Grad

2.       Ms. Felecia Doegloia-Weltonia Christian School-9^th Grad

3.       Little Tina Johnson-Weltonia Christian School-3^rd Grade

4.       Jonathan Dayugar-Weltonia Christian School-5^th Grade

5.       Little Musu Greaves-Nathan E. Gibson Memorial Academy-3^rd Grade

6.       Ms. Sia Martin- Nathan E. Gibson Memorial Academy- 7^th Grade

A team of our organization was trained by the MERCY SHIPS HIV/AIDS TEAM for the period of two months. At the end of this training we were given some materials after which we also trained 50 youth/students from 11 secondary and junior secondary schools within Paynesville in HIV/AIDS prevention, care and its associated stigma and discrimination.

Those schools are as follow: 1. Nathan E. Gibson Memorial Academy, 2. Dominion Christian Institute, 3. Ann Sandell Christian Foundation, 4. Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial High School, 5. J. L. Morris United Methodist High School, 6. Effort Baptist School, 7. Paynesville central Junior High School, 8. F-Sham Faith of Girls Institute, 9. Victory Chapel High School, 10.Wiliam Bean World Wide High School, and 11. Paynesville Central Senior high School.

COLLABORATING/PARTNERING ORGANIZATIONS/INSTITUTIONS

1. National AIDS/STIs Control Program(NACP)
2. National AIDS Commission (NAC)
3. Ministry of Youth & Sports (MYS)
4. Paynesville City Corporation (PCC)
5. Communities, Schools, Churches, Mosques & Community-based youth organizations (CBOs) within Paynesville.