- Impact Institute trains 150 Women and Girls in entrepreneurship and leadership
By: G. Bennie Bravo Johnson
The Impact Institute, a Liberian organization with roots in the nation, has organized a two-day summit for young women and girls to assist them in building their skills and community through economic empowerment and leadership training.
With the theme “Building Confidence & Self-Esteem for Success in Business & in Life,” the event took place yesterday, November 7, 2022, at the Duahzon United Methodist Church in Margibi County, gathering over 150 young women and girls from throughout Montserrado and Margibi County, respectively.
The training was designed to help women and girls who have the potential to succeed in business and leadership gain the confidence and skills they need to realize their potential.
Mr. Rudolph Bropleh, executive director of the Impact Institute, gave a welcome address and discussed the organization’s purpose during the program. He stated that the objective was to make organizations and communities, including the church, more powerful and capable of leadership.
Through informing, inspiring, teaching, interacting with, and initiating women and girls, the training initiative aims to improve their business and leadership skills. He also stated that knowledge is power.
Children, women, and adolescents will be a primary focus of our efforts. During the program, he stated, “The church, a strategic community organization, will also serve as a focal point for the institute’s work.”
According to Mr. Bropleh, underprivileged and underserved communities typically exhibit two characteristics: inadequacy of economic opportunities and lack of social mobility, or marginalized means of the same. Economic empowerment and leadership development can strengthen and improve underserved and underprivileged communities.
In addition, he stated that the training is designed to equip young women and girls with the tools necessary for success. He remarked that the institution provides Liberians with “a hand up, as opposed to a hand out. Thus, the overall objective of the program is to assist others in assisting themselves by boosting their confidence and assisting in the development of small businesses.
The first day of the event was dedicated to young women and girls, while the second day addressed “How to Build a Small Business and Improve Your Life.” The gathering on November 8, 2022 is primarily for young men and small- to medium-sized Liberian contractors. According to the executive director of the Impact Institute, the training will teach them how to establish a small business and improve their lives.
Mr. Bropleh, who was also a facilitator, stated: “The purpose is to assist individuals in assisting themselves. This event was organized to inspire and empower.” We must raise a generation of hardworking individuals, not beggars.” He also stated that the participants are from Monrovia and the surrounding area. He assured the group that all 15 counties would be reached soon so that people could be assisted.
Dr. Patience Martor, a physician at the John F. Kennedy Medical Center (JFK) who also served as facilitator, inspired the participants to overcome enormous obstacles, maintain their resolve, and pursue their goals and dreams until they were realized. “Always remember that the only way you can fail in this struggle is if you give up. “In everything we do and whatever we do, we should always stand tall, because in order to overcome life’s obstacles, you must be strong,” Dr. Martor urged and motivated the participants.
Mrs. Mydea White-Simmons, who was also a facilitator, spoke about self-esteem and encouraged the women and girls in attendance to excel and develop their strengths. She stated that they must recognize their weaknesses and correct them in order to become a better person.
“Motivate yourself to achieve your objective. Challenge yourself daily and ensure that you are making progress. People are your most valuable asset; how you treat them speaks volumes about you. Your pride and integrity are essential. She said, “Build on your strengths and believe that you can be the person you want to be.”
The participants, in separate remarks, expressed gratitude to Impact Institute for assisting them in achieving their life goals. The majority of them shared similar stories about their lives and the significance of the program in achieving their objectives. They deemed the training essential and timely, and they pledged to apply what they had learned to improve their lives.
