– Young Liberian Change Maker Urges Female Graduates Of FIEFOL Empowerment Program
By Vaye A. Lepolu
Monrovia, Liberia – “Use these skills to create opportunities—not just for yourselves, but for others.” With these words, Mr. William K. Howard, Founder and Executive Director of the Field Empowerment Foundation of Liberia (FIEFOL), charged 50 graduates of the Vulnerable Women and Girls Empowerment Skills Training Program to become catalysts for change in their communities.
The second graduation ceremony, held Saturday, celebrated women who overcame financial hardships and societal barriers to master skills in pastry-making, African fashion design, tie-dye, entrepreneurship, and customer service—tools designed to foster self-reliance and economic growth.
Howard praised the graduates’ resilience, calling the ceremony “a passage into a world of hope.”
“This is not just a graduation; it is proof that dedication can rewrite destinies,” he said. “You’ve shown that Liberia’s future lies in the hands of those who dare to learn, work, and rise above challenges.”
Many participants faced difficulties staying in the program, but their perseverance, he noted, reflects the spirit needed to rebuild Liberia. “Society may reward shortcuts, but true change comes from women like you—skilled, principled, and unshaken by adversity.”
A Blueprint for Nation-Building
Howard urged graduates to leverage their training as a launchpad: Launch businesses to stimulate local economies, mentor others to multiply opportunities, and uphold integrity in a climate where corruption persists
Quoting U.S. Navy Admiral William McRaven, he added, “Change starts with discipline. If you want to transform Liberia, begin by mastering the small things.”
The event closed with thanks to instructors and staff for their unwavering support. FIEFOL’s program, now in its second year, continues to empower marginalized Liberian women—equipping them not just with skills, but with the conviction to shape their nation’s future.
