IPNEWS: The Impact Institute, an indigenous Liberian group, has concluded a two-day capacity building and entrepreneurship training summit with one of the facilitators, Madam Mydea White-Simmons, urging the participants to inspire themselves to achieve their individual goals.
“Challenge yourself and make sure that every day you are moving forward”, Madam White-Simmons said.
Under the topic ‘Building Confidence & Self-esteem for Success in Business & in Life’, the two-day summit held on November 7, 2022, brought together 150 girls and women from across Montserrado and Margibi Counties.
The training offered a unique experience for grassroots women and was organized to develop and enhance the capacity of potential women and girls in building their confidence and skills in business and leadership.
Madam White-Simmons spoke, who spoke specifically on self-esteem, also encouraged the women and girls to build on their strength but must also understand what their weaknesses are.
“Your pride and integrity matter. Build on your strength and encourage yourself that you can be that person you want to be”, Madam Simmons further said.
In earlier remarks, the Impact Institute’s Executive Director, Rudolph Bropleh, told the participants the institution was established to build capacity within organizations and strengthen communities—including the church—so they are empowered and able to lead.
Mr. Bropleh said the objective of the training initiative was to inform, inspire, instruct, interact and initiate women and girls to enhance their business and leadership skills.
He said the principal target of their work will be children, women and young people. “The church, a strategic community organization, will also be a place of focus for the Institute’s work”, Bropleh also said.
According to Mr. Bropleh two things are usually evident in underprivileged and underserved communities: Inadequacy of economic opportunities and the lack of social mobility; or the marginalized means of the same, also adding that two things can strengthen and improve underprivileged and underserved communities: Economic empowerment and leadership development.
Bropleh also noted that the training was an opportunity designed for young ladies and women to equip them with tools for success. His institution, according to him, serves to give Liberians a hand up and not a handout. “The overall goal of the program is to help others help themselves by building their confidence as well as help build small businesses”, he said.
Day one of the event focused on young women and girls, while day two under the topic How to Build a Small Business and Better Your Life.
Mr. Bropleh, who also served as facilitator, said: “The whole concept is to help people help themselves. We organized this event to inspire and empower. We need to raise a generation of workers not beggars,” he told the participants.
Dr. Patience Martor, a medical doctor working at the John F. Kennedy Medical Center, also served as facilitator at the two-day women and girl’s summit. She motivated the participants to break the enormous challenges and be able to stand firm and pursue their goals and dreams.
“In this struggle, you should always remember that the only way you fail is when you give up. In everything we do and anything we should always stand tall to overcome those challenges in life you need to be strong”, Dr. Martor further motivated and urged the participants.
In separate remarks, the participants thanked Impact Institute for thinking in their direction by helping them fulfill their goals in life. They shared similar experiences and stories.
