Nickiey Chello is a Grade 12 student at Virginia Christian Academy in Monrovia. His class has more than 120 students in it, which makes learning something of a challenge, especially when it comes to his favourite subject: computers.

“Many of us want to learn about computers but we don’t have the chance and we don’t have the money,” he says. “I wanted to become a computer engineer but the dream was discouraged because I didn’t have a computer, and I never had computer knowledge.”

That changed for Chello on 1 July, 2013, when he started a week-long course for youth on basic computer skills by the United Nations Mission in Liberia’s (UNMIL) Quick Reaction Force (FQRF), a Pakistani contingent based at Camp Clara, Monrovia.

“As a computer engineer, you have to know everything. You have to know the hardware; you have to know the software,” says Chello. “So with the help of our Pakistani friends, I’m now improving my skills so I think my dream is continuing. They are helping us when no one else will help us, and we are in need.”

Throughout the month of July, the FQRF ran a series of free outreach events designed to build the capacity of Liberian youth in the surrounding communities. From computer and music classes, to training on Lassa fever and other health related issues, the FQRF approached as many schools as possible to encourage their students to attend the events.

“Education is a basic need,” says LT Shafqat, Civil-Military Coordination (CIMIC) Officer with the FQRF. “If we educate them, then they are going to grow up and they are going to do better in their society. These kids are tough and hard-working They only need education and they will be superb.”

James David is another student taking part in the computer course. The 18-year-old dreams of becoming a doctor.

“I’m not only enjoying this class, I’m more than enjoying it,” he says. “It is very useful to me and the others because I believe we are the future leaders of Liberia.”
LT Shafqat explains part of the reason for such outreach events is because of the similar problems they see facing their own country.

“I belong to Pakistan and there are many places there where people don’t know about computers. From my village I had to work a lot to be able to compete,” he says. “Tomorrow, these kids are going to work in some office and they will have to know about these machines. And they have such an interest. They want to increase the duration of this course, it’s great.”

This Pakistani contingent, which has been in Liberia since February 2013, has already submitted a list of future planned outreach events to UNMIL’s CIMIC Office, with the number of events set to increase following the Muslim holy month of Ramadan.