Tubmanburg, Bomi County – A renewed sense of hope and determination is sweeping through Tubmanburg as the Youth Eco-Brigade program officially kicked off, drawing praise from beneficiaries and reaffirmed commitment from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and national partners. The initiative, which blends environmental protection with skills development and entrepreneurship, is fast becoming a symbol of change for young Liberians eager to build sustainable futures.
Among the newest recruits are Patience M. Flomo and Sonnie Zazay, two young women who see the Eco-Brigade not just as a program, but as a doorway to empowerment. Speaking proudly after the launch, they emphasized that the project provides opportunities for young people to take responsibility for their communities while developing practical skills. “We are very happy because seeing people doing nothing is bad, but with this program, at least we are doing something,” Flomo said.
For Zazay, the experience has gone beyond environmental cleanup, offering valuable lessons that can be shared with peers. “We learned a lot, and we encourage our friends not to give up but to keep working hard. Even those who are not part of this round should keep courage, because next time, they too may benefit,” she explained.
The program’s design ensures that beneficiaries receive more than training. Each participant will be given a $400 start-up package to either launch or expand a small business. Flomo, already engaged in petty trade, shared her vision: “I’m managing a little business now, so I will invest some of the money in it and also secure a small place for myself.” Her plan reflects the initiative’s wider mission of creating sustainable livelihoods while promoting civic responsibility.
In her remarks, Flomo also expressed gratitude to the UNDP and the Government of Liberia for making such opportunities possible. “I want to say a very big thank you to UNDP and the Government of Liberia for helping us through this process. By the grace of God, I pray for long life so we can continue to benefit from such opportunities,” she added.
At the launch, UNDP Project Coordinator Abraham Tumbey echoed the importance of the program, describing the Eco-Brigade as a transformative volunteer movement rooted in service to community. “The Eco-Brigade program is not for UNDP. It’s for the people of Tubmanburg. What we are doing is to inspire you, to support you, and to build your capacity,” he emphasized.
He reminded participants that the heart of the program lies in volunteerism. “When the people came here to recruit you, they said they were looking for volunteers. Some people said, ‘who will do free work?’ Nevertheless, some of you stood up and said, ‘I am a resident of this community, I will volunteer.’ And today, we are here,” Tumbey said.
Since its inception in 2019, the Eco-Brigade has spread to Grand Gedeh, Lofa, Grand Bassa, and Grand Cape Mount Counties. Tubmanburg now joins as the third cohort, with young people trained in environmental management, tree planting, waste disposal, and business skills. Over the next 20 days, they will lead clean-up exercises and awareness campaigns before receiving their grants.
Tumbey highlighted past success stories, citing beneficiaries who used their stipends wisely. “One young man bought a motorbike and today, motorbikes are running for him. A young woman in Grand Gedeh used $200 to pay her school fees and the other $200 to start a business. Today, she supplies onions from Côte d’Ivoire to markets in Zwedru. Another beneficiary is now running a financial credit business,” he recounted.
Encouraging participants to emulate such examples, he said: “You will eat some and keep some. You will use some to pay your school fees and support your family. Through this program, some of you can even become millionaires tomorrow.”
Still, he stressed that financial gains should never overshadow the program’s primary mission of service. “Remember that you volunteered for your city, and it’s because of that volunteering you are getting this benefit. You are ambassadors of Tubmanburg. When the mayor calls for clean-up, you should be the first to mobilize your people,” he urged.
Tumbey also called on national institutions, including the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the Ministry of Commerce and Industry (MOCI), and the Tubmanburg City Corporation, to provide oversight and technical guidance to sustain the program’s impact.
The Eco-Brigade is implemented by the Government of Liberia with support from UNDP and partners. It is aligned with President Joseph Boakai’s ARREST Agenda, which prioritizes youth empowerment, economic development, and environmental sustainability. For communities like Tubmanburg, it represents more than a policy initiative—it is a platform for transformation, planting seeds of responsibility and resilience in the hands of Liberia’s next generation.
