Keep up with change!
Like & follow us on social media!
Verified by GuideStar, click for more info.
Project Change 2019
Project Change 2019 is our first ever project launched. One of our biggest motivators was working with young people who have longed for change but did not know how to go about initiating the change they desired. The tremendous impact Project Change 2019 had on our youth participants significantly inspired us to continue pushing towards our vision. It was a privilege for us to partner with the youth to help find ways we could initiate significant change.
During Project Change 2019, we hosted a week-long workshop for a total of 20 participants from 4 different high schools in Monrovia - to include Christ the King Catholic School (CKCS), David Lombel Memorial Institute (DLMI), Haywood Mission Institute (HMI), and Ford-Madden Christian Academy (FMCA). The workshop covered paradigm-shifting topics such as taking responsibility for oneself, personal/career development, youth empowerment, taking advantage of volunteer opportunities, money management, and much more. We invited several guest speakers, all of whom are well known across Monrovia, to share their experiences and knowledge on each specified subject matter.
SEE A BREAK DOWN OF THE PROJECT WEEK BELOW:
Planning Week
During our planning week, we visited the four schools we worked with to distribute our surveys to select the 5 participants from each school. Through this process, we were able to share our message of empowerment with over 400 students; allowing those who didn't participate in our workshop the chance to hear and understand the message we were conveying.
The survey was intended to see who was most interested in the subject matter, change. It had a total of 10 questions of which the participants were asked to give their thoughts or interpretations. One of the questions was, "Who would you thank or blame for your standard of living?" The students had the options of choosing between themselves, their family and friends, the government, or other things beyond their control. Unsurprisingly, 90% of the students blamed the government or their friends and family. The large percentage of students shifting responsibilities didn't surprise us because it is for this very reason we founded Project Change, to help the youth understand that real change cannot take effect until we take responsibilities for our actions.
Planning Week (Day one - Feb 18, 2019) - FMCA
Planning Week (Day two - Feb 19, 2019) - DLMI
Planning Week (Day three - Feb 21, 2019) - CKCS
Planning Week (Day four - Feb 22, 2019) - HMI
ACTION WEEK, WHERE IT ALL HAPPENED.
Day One - Orientation Day
Highlights
During our orientation day, as the 20 participants came, they were signed in and handed a Project Change 2019 t-shirt after which we took our official workshop group photo (the picture in the background). Afterward, we went over the rules/guidelines of the week to ensure we were all making the most out of our precious time.
Later, our founder, Mr. Jarbo, shared his story as to why he was passionate to initiate Project Change as an organization. The day concluded with a lesson on "How to set and achieve your goals," by Mr. Prince L. Jarbo.
Day Two - Film Day (Understanding our Problems)
Highlights
During our film day, we all watched Poverty Inc., with the sole objective of understanding the root cause of the poverty industry in Africa, and how we could help our very own Liberia in climbing up the ladder of poverty. Before the film, participants were asked to jot down questions and notes for our discussion the following day.
Day Three - Discussion Day (Finding Solutions)
Highlights
After a very productive second day, we sat around a table ready to tackle the problems presented to us in the film with realistic solutions. We discussed many different ways we could all contribute to the rebuilding of our nation. However, the main takeaway was if we want to help rebuild Liberia, we would have to start with ourselves. Our founder stressed that character rebuilding is the only real way to bring about change in a country like Liberia since most of our problems are due to the corrupted mindset of our nation. Lastly, our advisor emphasized the need for us to develop our minds, specifically how we think about ourselves and our country.
Day Four - Presentation Day (Developing Our Personalities & Career)
Highlights
Day four was primarily about learning things that were practical in our day-to-day lives. Our founder spoke on "Basic Finances" to include budgeting and learning proper money management skills. Many of the participants looked forward to this day because they were eager to learn how they could better handle their money. Mr. Jarbo also taught on how to find solutions to our problems (be it personal or impersonal) and turn it into a business that creates a self-sustaining culture.
To end the day, our guest speaker Mr. Mustapha Kanneh spoke on the significance of taking advantage of volunteer opportunities in our communities, as well as through academic competitions, fellowships and conferences around the globe for us to network and market ourselves in our respective careers.
