10/05/2025
A non governmental organization Named: “Smart Choices Initiative Liberia has been Launched in to tackle teen parenting and child exploitation in the Country.
Speaking at the Launching program at the weekend in Logan Town, at the God’s Champions of Faith Church, the Group Executive Director, Jessica Andrews said they are committed to educating, empowering, and mentoring teenagers on making informed life choices.
Jessica Andrews indicated that their mission is captured in Preventing teenage parenting and child exploitation and envision a brighter Liberia, where young people are equipped to become responsible leaders and positive change-makers in society.
She noted that Smart Choices Initiative Liberia will ensure that they educate young people about the daily choices they make and focusing is on empowering teenagers, particularly those vulnerable to social challenges to include;Advocacy,peer pressure and health issues, sexual exploitation and abuse.
Jessica Andrews added that the Organization vision is to support the United Nations 17 Sustainable Developmental Goals (SDGs) , with focus on goal three (3) , four (4), five (5), six (6) and thirteen ( 13) which includes Thematic Areas of Quality Education, Health & Hygiene, Gender Equality & Equity, Climate action.
She said Smart Choices Initiative Liberia will foster and develop increased learning and development opportunities for young people especially teenagers by encouraging and supporting them to contribute, steer initiatives and lead their own youth-led projects.
“According to her they will build teenagers capacity on the effects of early childhood parenting, the danger of childhood trauma, neglect and build a relationship between parents and children, build strong relationships with organisations that share our aims, thereby further increasing the capacity of young people to build on their skills and aptitudes for their own personal growth and their community's long term success and development.”
To generate in teenagers a sense of responsibility and ownership for the actions they undertake and to develop their citizenship and involvement in their respective communities. Jessica Andrews added.