SOS Children’s Villages in Liberia and partners have embarked on a 5-year National Strategy Development workshop in Monrovia to develop a long-term vision for the institution.
The workshop is also geared towards validating major changes and identifying results, including targeted projects as well as timeline for implementation.
Speaking at the start of the workshop Tuesday, SOS Liberia National Director, Prosper N. Ndione, said despite efforts made in improving children’s wellbeing, the general situation of children across the country is not at the level it should be.
He notes that poverty remains high amid low nutritional diet, poor healthcare, lack of quality education, while climate change poses more risk to children than ever before.
He explains that in their engagement with children and stakeholders in the last few months, discussions centered on protection, education, empowerment and sanitation, amongst others.
He says SOS Liberia took into account their concerns and is resolved in continuously working with communities, partners and stakeholders to effect change.
“These concerns should lay the foundation of what is expected of us in the coming five years, and it is upon all of us here to ensure that their voices are heard and acted upon”, he underscores.
Director Ndione reveals that institution has an ambitious agenda that includes advocacy, partnership for quality care, repositioning its brand in Liberia, and they can more effectively champion the rights of every child especially, children who have lost parental care or at the risk of losing it.
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“SOS Children‘s Villages is an international childcare and child protection organization whose vision is a world where every child belongs to a family and grows with love, respect, and security.” He adds.
He further explains that they have consistently aligned their work with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) – mainly goal1: No poverty; 3: Good health and well-being; 4: Quality Education; 5: Gender equality; 8: Decent work and economic Growth; 10: Reduced Inequalities; and 17: Partnerships for the goals.
He is confident that together with partners, they all can work to achieve the SDG targets with the greatest impact for children and young people as well as support the country’s national development agenda.
“We have invited you all here today to produce an ambitious but yet a quality strategic plan. If we do it together well – we will create something powerful together that will lead to an excellent 5-year strategy that we all can be proud of; I encourage all of us to remain focused” the SOS Liberia boss reminds participants.
He says in the coming three days, seniority will be put aside and they work as members of a team to develop a new roadmap that will impact the lives of many more children in Liberia.
“We have a brilliant team who will be leading us step by step through the process of developing our strategy. This team has worked hard to get us where we are today. The team has both local and international expertise” he stated. Editing by Jonathan Browne
