Help Humanity First restart its vocational training operations in Liberia after the Ebola Outbreak !!!
Vocational Training Project
Humanity First set up a vocational school in 2011 to help the underprivileged youth in Liberia to become self-sufficient. The goal is to teach the youth skills at a subsidized rate so that they can earn a living. After being non-operational for a year during the ebola crisis, the HF Liberia team has just restarted its new session this past May. Currently the school offers the following trades:
construction works, electrician, auto-mechanic, auto-electrician, plumbing, and AC repair. The courses are 6 months long and we offer certificates and references through which the graduates are able to find employment. In our current operations we are able to generate back 70% of the cost of operations while relying on external funding and grants to sustain the remaining costs. Since 2011, the school has graduated 800 students and approximately 40% have found jobs in their relevant trades.
Now we are seeking to expand through several projects and seeking funding for the following: staring up a driving training program, starting a computer literacy class, building renovations, and lab equipments.
Startup of a driving school
Many prospective students have inquired about driving classes. Driving is indeed a privilege in Liberia and most of the youth do not know how to drive. By opening a driving school within the current infrastructure of our vocational college we will be able to teach approximately 20 people how to drive each month. This will pave the way for employment opportunities for underprivileged youth to get jobs as chauffeurs, taxi drivers, and truck drivers. Below is a financial breakdown of what we need to get started
- 2 used cars ~ $2500
- Auto-mechanical adjustments to install instructor side controls ~ $500
- 2 instructor salaries to cover first 3 months ~ $600
- classroom items such as whiteboards, tables, instruction manuals ~ $200
Total cost: ~$3800
Startup of a computer literacy class
It is not possible to survive in today's world without a computer, yet too many youth in Liberia don't know how to use a computer, let alone use it proficiently. Humanity First want to start a 3 month computer literacy training course for underprivileged youth. The course will cover basic component of a computer, typing, using word editors and other office software, and using the internet. Your donations will help us set up and start this meaningful project in the upcoming semester.
Below is a financial breakdown of what we need to get started
- 20 computers ~ $5000
- One instructor salaries to cover 1st 3 months ~ $600
- classroom items such as whiteboards, tables, instruction manuals ~ $200
Total cost: ~ $5800
Lab Equipment
The HF vocational school seeks to prepare students in their respective trades with a solid theoretical foundation as well as provide them with an opportunity for applied and practical training.
We need to complete our lab equipment inventory so that our students have access to top quality practical training. We need equipment ranging for ignition switches for the auto-mechanical students to flexible tubes for plumbing students, to refrigerants for air conditioning students. In total we need about $850 dollars worth of equipment.
Total Cost : $850
Building renovations
After 1 year of being non-operational their is an urgent need to repair the surrounding walls and floors. While fixing all the walls and floors will be quite expensive we are starting by fixing the main entrance wall and the main auditorium floor.
- main entrance wall ~ $700
- main hall floor ~ $ 600
Total Cost: ~ $1300
Team
Sabeel Sandhu - Prinicipal
Sabeel hails from Pakistan and has been the principal of the institution for the past 18 months. He has a BS and Mphil in business administration from NUML Islamabad and graduated with distinction. He held down the fort during the ebola epidemic and passionate about human resources, negotiation, entrepreneurship and business development for non-profit organization.
Barley F. Jensen - Vice Principal
Barley (BJ) is jack of all trades and master of them too! He teaches the AC technician course and handles the day to day administration. He is also a certified electrician. He has been with the HF vocational school for the past 5 year starting off as a volunteer working his way up to be Vice Principal. His super powers include laser vision!
Hassan Ahmed - Project and Operations Coordinator
I've come to Monrovia, Liberia on a one year volunteer mission with Humanity First. My goals are to grow the HF projects currently in Liberia in terms of income and impact. I have a BS in electrical engineering from University of Miami and MS in computer science from UNC-Chapel Hill. I am interested in operations management and economic development in developing countries.
Perks
HF - pin for $10 contribution
HF - suncap $35 contribution
HF - 10 years of Serving Humanity memorial magazine - comes with $50 contribution
HF - picnic bag $20 contribution
More About Humanity First...
Humanity First is an international charitable trust established to promote and safeguard the preservation of human life and dignity. Humanity First was established by the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community leadership and operates as a non-political, non-sectarian international relief and development agency that works with the world’s poorest and most vulnerable people.
Humanity First was established in the UK in 1994 and now has operations in 43 countries across 6 continents. The majority of our aid workers and management are unpaid volunteers and our administration expenses are negligible. We are able to deliver significantly more aid value in the field from the funds we raise because our labour costs are very low.
Humanity First’s objectives are to:
- Relieve suffering caused by natural disasters or human conflict
- Promote peace and understanding based upon mutual tolerance and respect
- Strengthen people’s capacity to help themselves
for more information go to www.humanityfirst.org
If you've made it this far, kudos to you :) !!!! I hope you can help us achieve our goals.