MONROVIA, LIBERIA-The ARISE Impact Initiative has honored several young Liberians through its Young Readers Bootcamp (YRB) Cohort 2 in Paynesville City.
The ten-week intensive program brought together students from various high schools across Montserrado County.
The training equipped participants with reading and comprehension skills, critical thinking, and integrity.
In an ELBC interview, the Executive Director of ARISE Impact Initiative, Wilnet Gaye, described the Bootcamp as a transformative movement designed to cultivate a culture of curiosity, intellectual engagement, and purposeful leadership among young people.
Gaye said,” My team’s vision is to build a generation of young Liberians who not only read, but think critically, lead with integrity, and use knowledge as a tool for transformation.
Throughout the program, participants explored a variety of books and discussions that challenged them to think beyond the classroom, analyze real societal issues, and express their ideas boldly and constructively.
One of the awardees, in an ELBC interview, said,” The Bootcamp has changed her perspective on reading and preparation for better leadership”.
Parents of participants also commended the ARISE Impact Initiative for its commitment to shaping the next generation of Liberian leaders, pledging their continued support to sustain the program’s vision and growth.
Ms. Gaye also reaffirmed that the Young Readers Bootcamp is part of ARISE’s long-term strategy to build young leaders who think deeply, speak with clarity, and act with purpose.
Meanwhile, a prominent Liberian lawyer and feminist, Atty. Mmonbeydo Nadine Joah has called on the students to invest more time in reading to shape their future and build a stronger Liberia.
Atty. Joah emphasized that reading is not just an academic requirement but a powerful tool for personal empowerment and leadership growth.
She encouraged young people to make books and libraries their closest companions, stressing that a well-read generation is better equipped to solve national challenges and drive meaningful change.
Atty. Joah also urged schools, parents, and policymakers to promote a culture of reading across the country, describing literacy and knowledge as vital pillars for Liberia’s development.
Also speaking, Cllr. Charlyne Brumskine commended the ARISE Impact Initiative Young Readers Bootcamp as a vital initiative that is building the intellectual capacity of young Liberians.
Cllr. Brumskine noted that the program goes beyond just reading; it builds young people who can think independently, express ideas with confidence, and make purposeful contributions to society.
She emphasized that Liberia’s progress depends on nurturing young minds that value knowledge and curiosity.