MONROVIA – Activist and philanthropist Martin K. N. Kollie on Tuesday, September 2, 2025, announced a scholarship initiative aimed at empowering 50 Liberians with practical vocational skills, emphasizing the urgent need for more technocrats capable of creating jobs and fostering economic independence.
Through the Martin K. N. Kollie Foundation (MKNK-F), funding has been secured to sponsor the selected Liberians for six months of training at Forlife Vocational Institute, at a cost of US$170 per person. The initiative covers a range of courses designed to equip participants with in-demand skills that can be immediately applied in the workforce.
Speaking about the program, Kollie explained that beneficiaries will have the opportunity to study courses including architecture drafting, satellite dish installation, plumbing, electricity, air conditioning and refrigerator repair, advanced solar panel installation, interior decoration, biodigester engineering, CCTV installation, and pastry making. He emphasized that the selection process will be competitive, open, and transparent, and that further details on applications will be shared soon.
“The courses that the 50 beneficiaries will learn over six months are designed to prepare them for real-world challenges,” Kollie said. “As a foundation, we will continue to empower our brothers and sisters because advocacy alone is not enough. Talking about change is not enough; we must equip our people to be economically independent.”
Kollie, who has long been a prominent voice for youth empowerment and social development in Liberia, stressed that the government alone cannot address all the nation’s challenges. “While the government can do a lot, we have been stepping in to help,” he said. “Our people, especially the youth, need empowerment. This is an imperative that we cannot ignore. Liberia First. Liberia Forever.”
The program reflects a growing focus on vocational training as a tool for national development, with Kollie highlighting that practical skills can create self-sustaining jobs and reduce unemployment, particularly among young Liberians.
Participants will not only gain technical expertise but also learn problem-solving, entrepreneurial skills, and methods to transform their training into income-generating opportunities. By targeting diverse sectors including construction, electrical work, renewable energy, and food production, the foundation aims to produce versatile technocrats who can address Liberia’s evolving economic needs.
The MKNK Foundation’s initiative comes amid rising concerns about youth unemployment and the need for skills-based education to complement traditional academic programs. Kollie emphasized that this program is part of a broader strategy to ensure that Liberians are not only educated but also empowered to create sustainable livelihoods.
He also called on private sector partners, civil society, and international organizations to support initiatives that build human capital and provide practical opportunities for the youth. “Empowerment is a shared responsibility,” Kollie said. “We hope others will join us in equipping Liberians to thrive in their communities and contribute meaningfully to national development.”
The foundation plans to continue its scholarship and vocational training programs in the coming years, seeking to expand both the number of beneficiaries and the range of skills offered. Kollie noted that such initiatives are crucial for fostering self-reliance and reducing dependency, particularly among the country’s growing youth population.
Applications for the initial 50 scholarships will open shortly, with MKNK-F promising a transparent selection process to ensure that the most deserving candidates benefit from the opportunity.
By combining activism with tangible skills development, Martin Kollie’s initiative represents a shift toward actionable empowerment, demonstrating that advocacy and practical intervention can go hand in hand to create a stronger, more resilient Liberia.
Like this:
Like Loading…
