OUR HERITAGE
Liberia’s History on Aid
Most Liberians at some point in their lives have heard of how beautiful Liberia was. They listen to stories from their parents or grandparents informing them of how things were much better before the 90s. People traveled from all across Africa to seek employment opportunities in our booming mining industries or seek medical care at the John F. Kennedy Memorial Medical Center. However, all that has changed. Liberia is no longer the "America" of the African continent. In fact, as of 2019, we are amongst the top 10 poorest countries in the world based on GDP per capita. The change in our economic status has been mainly due to the 14 years civil war and the recent Ebola crisis of 2014.
The first civil war commenced in 1989 when Charles Taylor led his troops from Ivory Coast to overtake the then present Samuel K. Doe’s led government. The war ended in 1997, killing more than 250,000 Liberians and leaving thousands more displaced. Two years later, the second civil war took its roots in 1999 and ended on August 18, 2003, after the warring parties signed the Accra Comprehensive Peace Agreement.
As a natural response from countries around the world, the need to help Liberia rebuild its economy and infrastructure was unquestionable. Many countries and aid agencies such as the European Union and USAID donated millions of dollars to help Liberia stand on its feet. The aid was much needed and helped respond to the immediate needs of the country during and after the crisis.
However, as the war slowly came to an end and the economy was gradually regaining its stance, a surplus amount of aid was still being dumped into Liberia though it was no longer required. The surplus amount of assistance received over the decades when it was no longer needed has fostered a dependent mindset amongst the youth of Liberia. The surplus amount of aid received has played a significant role in aiding young people to think of themselves as victims, ones who always need the help of others since their past has victimized them.
Heritage of Our Organization
The vision to form Project Change derived from the evident need for such an organization. After moving back to Liberia at the age of 15 and finding a job teaching computer courses and working at several internet cafes, our founder, Mr. Prince L. Jarbo, quickly realized that there weren’t many young people doing the same. Instead, there was much youth complaining about how corrupt the government is and how much they could do anything to leave Liberia and never return. All in all, they complained but never made any effort in changing their lives for the better. Their failure to take action frustrated Mr. Jarbo mainly because he couldn’t understand why people would choose to let their lives go down the drain when they, as he was doing, could get a job and help improve their lives.
One evening in 2014, while playing basketball with his friends, he kept hearing people complaining about how bad the economy was, and he became irritated. One of the youth made a comment saying, “I would rather be in jail in America than free in Liberia.” This statement saddened our founder, and it was at that moment in time, he got his vision from God. He said “it was almost like everything froze for a minute,” and God said to me “this is the reason I brought you back to Liberia, to help bring hope to these young people.”
After he received his vision, it was when everything began to make sense to him, instead of being frustrated with the youth, he was more understanding knowing that this was a problem that even God cared to change. From that day, he pledged to return to the States and equip himself so that he can later come and help change the mindsets of the youth to one that takes responsibility and becomes productive.
Upon his return to the States in 2015 he soon begins to raise funds for what would’ve been Project Change 2016. However, the fundraising was unsuccessful. The total cost for the workshop, reaching 250 high school students was $10,350.00 but was only able to raise $400. Not been able to raise funds did not stop Mr. Jarbo as he was determined to bring his message of empowerment to his fellow youth in Liberia. He decided to save his own money and planned to implement the workshop in 2019 instead. A few years later, he was able to use his funds to travel to Liberia and fund Project Change 2019, which would then become the first-ever Project Change. The workshop lasted a week and consisted of 4 high schools to include Christ the King Catholic School, David Lombel Memorial Institute, Haywood Mission Institute, and the Ford-Madden Christian Academy.
After successful completion of the project, Mr. Jarbo and his team learned that there was a need for a continuous project like Project Change 2019 amongst the youth. Therefore, they decided to form an organization and named it Project Change.
Mission
The mission of this organization is to educate young men and women on the importance of self-sustainability and, most importantly, the necessary measures that need to be taken for our nation, Liberia, to become a land that sustains its people.
Vision
The vision is to see the youth come to realize that a sustainable future for our nation (Liberia) ONLY depends on what each individual has to offer, not what other foreign nations have to offer, and therefore, be willing to collectively help rebuild a productive Liberia.
Our Specific Purpose/Mission
1. To educate the youth on the importance of self-sustainability.
2. To provide mentors that will help steer the minds of the youth in the direction of productivity.
3. To provide facilities and training that will groom the youth to become self-sustaining individuals.
4. To provide opportunities for the youth to engage in educational, competitive and recreational activities that will help build their careers and social lives.
Our
Core Values
1. Country before self
2. Uphold a culture of respect & integrity
3. Practice what we preach
4. Failure is not an option
5. Partiality is never accepted
The Changemakers' Creed
I am a Changemaker
I am a public servant
I aim to put the needs of my country before my own
I am Changemaker
I strive to uphold a culture of respect & integrity
I will diligently practice what I preach
I am a Changemaker
I will never let failure dictate how I serve
Nor will I give room to partiality
I AM A CHANGEMAKER!
Our Logo
The hands (the trunk of the tree) represent us, Project Change, empowering the youth (represented by the stars) of Liberia to become productive and self-sustaining individuals for the betterment of our country, Liberia.️