The Inquirer
Monrovia, Liberia

Distributed by

The Perspective
Atlanta, Georgia

Posted June 22, 2004

Following a protracted period of dormancy, the Monrovia Vocational Training Center (MVTC) in Paynesville has resumed operation under serious constraints due to the lack of basic equipment for its programs including training tools and cash.

Already, with an enrolment of about 500 students a fifth of whom are females, currently undergoing training in various trade areas including mechanics, building, electricity, carpentry and counseling on a virtually free basis, the MVTC is practically empty relative to needed logistics and therefore lacks the capacity to continue with its programs for the students who are mostly ex-combatants, war-affected and disadvantaged youths.

In an interview with The INQUIRER during the week, MVTC Director Morris Kainessee said, orientation exercise was ongoing at the institution for the students to know about the school’s programs, but stressed “we need supplies, furniture for the library, no chairs, tools and scraps for the industrial sector.” He also said, at least a 25KVA generator is needed to enhance the program.

Mr. Kainessee lauded the efforts of the United States Trading Company (USTC), the Liberian Petroleum Refining Company (LPRC) and hoped that other entities such as the United States Embassy, the National Port Authority (NPA) etc. which have been written will come in to assist the MVTC materials like scraps and other materials.“We are not requesting for money, but material so that the students will understand the nuts and bolts of the industrial sector,”the MVTC Director appealed.

The MVTC under the Bureau of Vocational and Technical Training of the Ministry of Youth and Sports started operation in 1979, and in the past provided 3 years post and secondary vocational and technical skill training for youth, both male and female, who show potential to become technocrats. For now since its reopening, MVTC is providing training for all categories of youth regardless of their academic background.

Mr. Kainesse is encouraging ex-combatants who have been disarmed and given ID cards “to come and register at the MVTC where there is room for good professional development”, adding, “with money or not, just come, physical disability is also not a problem as we do not discriminate.”

Meanwhile, the MVTC according to Mr. Kainesse, is seeking volunteers especially house-wives to give their services in counseling, civil education, arithmetic, English and any other areas that would enhance development and training.