This is our contribution towards POVERTY REDUCTION STRATEGY. About LRN: The Liberia Returnee Network Incorporated is a non-governmental, non-political, non-sectarian organization duly registered and accredited by various government ministries and agencies as its sector of intervention concern, such as : Ministry of Finance and Development Planning, Ministry of Youth and Sports, Ministry of Agricu
lture, and the Ministry of Education. Upon returning home from various refugee camps in the sub-region, a group of professional refugee-returnees, due to numerous challenges faced, organized themselves into a network in seeking and advocating for returnees’ benefits on the basis of volunteerism. Along the road of advocacy, the group realized that there was more to offer than just advocacy; with the problems of reintegration, rehabilitation, reconstruction and reconciliation, the group decided to narrow the gap of low capacity rate in Liberia. The Liberia Returnee Network (LRN) added to its advocacy for refugee-returnees’ rights and benefits has been actively involved with Capacity Building, Job Creation, Peace Building, and the Change in mind-set to achieve self-reliance, and contribute to the national growth and development of Liberia as a post-war country. The LRN today runs three vocational schools including agriculture training with focus on crops production and animal husbandry. Courses offered are as follows: Beauty Culture, Cookery, Pastry, Tailoring, Beads Making, Country Cloth Weaving, Soap Science, Tie-dye, Cake Decoration, and Event & Interior Decoration, Agriculture with focus on( Crops Production and Animal Husbandry). LRN, since its establishment had worked with government ministries, agencies, local and international non-government organizations (NGO), such as: Ministry of Youth and Sports, Liberia Refugee Repatriation and Resettlement Commission (LRRRC), United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), Carter Center, Ministry of Gender and Children Protection, etc. through peace and capacity building within our communities- for returnees and non-returnees. VISION
The LRN is to complement holistic effort in ensuring that the livelihoods of refugee- returnees and non-returnees are significantly improved and sustainable empowerment is achieved. MISSION
The LRN is to empower returnees and non-returnees through advocacy, capacity building, job creation, and the change in mind-set to achieve self-reliance. Tyrone Marshall
Executive Director
Liberia Returnee Network