-VP Taylor says she’s building a new nation
By: Jerromie S. Walters
YWCA Jewels Training Center, a vocational institution that focuses on exposing girls to a variety of skills, recently unleashed its first batch of graduates- with over 200 beneficiaries.
Officially opened on 25 July 2022, the YWCA Jewels Training Center which is an establishment of the Jewel Starfish Foundation- on Friday, September 22, 2023, unveiled dozens of potential young women, who have acquired vast knowledge in ICT, Cosmetology, Design & Arts and Bead Making.
Liberia’s Vice President Jewel Howard Taylor, the vision bearer of the institution and one of the many Liberian politicians that are noted for initiatives of such- attributed her unwavering commitment to women empowerment and personal development- to her desire to build a new nation, where young people (especially women) can live their dreams and be seen as positive role models.
She told the graduates while remarking at the event, “We are building a new nation and all of these building blocks, I may not see it, but I know that each of you can now be positive role models in your families and in your communities.”
As an individual with a struggling beginning, the Vice President said the genesis of her live has been her greatest motivator. “My circumstances cannot define me, but the inspiration of my parents and my siblings have been the fire that have few my trajectory throughout my life.”
Concomitantly, VP Taylor encouraged the graduates that though there will always be challenges along the way, they must always be focused and determined. “Let me say congratulations to all of you for remaining engage and never give up.” She continued, you that have been engaged and completed this process, I know you will go on to do great things. The opportunities you have taken responsibility for today, have now empowered each of you.”
At the same time, the Vice President venerated administrators of the YWCA Jewels Training Center, and honored few of them for their commitment to the institution over the period.
Earlier, Dr. A. M. Kyne, the keynote speaker of the occasion- hailed the Vice President for her significant strides toward impacting the Liberian society, through the multiplicity of meaningful opportunities she has provided for hundreds of Liberians and none Liberians, especially women. “Your compassionate nature, unwavering dedication, and visionary approach mark you as an extraordinary leader.”
He spoke to his audience on the topic: “From dreams, to reality- you have made it.” Amid life’s challenges and how complicated and complex society has turned, he characterized the achievement by the young women as an actualization of what they strived for.
He described the occasion as a testament of the young women’s resilient, dedication and commitment- to defile the odds of society, and the awkward ideology that they (women) can’t do the ordinary.
As they have now acquired additional knowledge and are in full readiness to navigate their ways through society, he firstly encouraged them to embrace their wholeness. This- he said is in relation to the young women’s beauty, which he termed as who they are and their unique attributes. “Whenever you tempered with beauty- order than contemplating it, you create what we called ugliness.”
He said the fact that they have embraced their wholeness, concisely by advancing themselves, it becomes a threat, especially for the men.
In his second point, Dr. Kyne admonished the young women to be the best version of themselves. This, he said can be demonstrated through how well they can execute their respective areas of study, that can lead them to being expert in their various fields. As they push their ways through, he urged them to always consider that they are not only around to exist, but rather for an apt purpose.
In his last point, Dr. A. M. Kyne emphasized the need for the young women to cultivate gratitude in all that they do. “It is gratitude that will take you everywhere, be someone who is appreciative for every little thing you have done in your life, be appreciative to everyone,” he encouraged.
Meanwhile, Joyce L. Dahn- one of the many beneficiaries of the YWCA Jewels Training Center, acknowledged the indescribable impact and importance of the vocational training, as she gave her testimony about the training.
She described it as a blessing, and not just an opportunity- considering the significance that’s attached to it and how it has impacted and improved her life. Joyce further acclaimed the Vice President for the opportunity, and assured to actualize all of what she acquired at the institution
“On behalf of the entire students of this institution, we want to say thanks so kindly, for making us somebody, from nobody, for letting Liberians know that the future depends on us, and for creating a space for good learning,” she stated.
Officially opened on 25 July 2022, the YWCA Jewels Training Center is an establishment of the Jewel Starfish Foundation. Girls participating in activities of the center are exposed to a variety of skills which are: ICT, Cosmetology, Design & Arts and Bead Making. The programs will include: ICT- Microsoft office; web design & graphic design; hardware, social media technologies.
Cosmetology- Hair, nails and skin.
Design & Arts- Painting, drawing, sculpture and graphic design. Bead Making- The art or craft of attaching beads to one another by stringing them onto a thread or thin wire with a sewing or beading needle or sewing them onto a cloth.
