Thirty youth from Bomi County were recently awarded certificates after completing a two-week training in entrepreneurship skills. The training offered by the 18th Engineering Battalion of the Pakistani Contingent, was aimed at empowering young Liberians with basic business skills with a view to making them self-reliant.

The training, held in Tubmanburg, dealt with financial management, business feasibility study and plan, budgeting and business risk management skills, according to Maj. Majid Ayaz, Training Coordinator of the Pakistani Contingent.   Other topics included business partnerships and how to successfully apply for loans.

A spokesperson of the beneficiaries, Mohammed Umaru, praised the Pakistani peacekeepers for the knowledge transferred, saying the skill comes at a time when Liberians are keen to rebuild their lives and their country after years of civil conflict. Representatives of Bomi County Administration, UNMIL Sector A1 Head-of-Filed Office, Lena Sagnia, and Regional Administrative Officer/ Sector A1, Joe Mshindo, and other UNMIL field staff attended the ceremony.

The first training in entrepreneurship skills by the 18th Engineering Battalion was offered in VOA in Brewerville Community, in Montserrado County, forty young persons. The next training will have some new components, including driving, masonry and carpentry skills.