African Youth Empowerment Network-Liberia

This Organization was Founded in 2017 in Lower Margibi County, the Liberian Youth Empowerment Network (LYEN) works to advance gender equality through education. The organization seeks to end child marriage and promote good health and well-being of all genders.

Its activities are moreover aimed at empowering rape survivors, teenage mothers, victims of female genital mutilation, and economically disadvantaged Boys and Girls in Africa. Later in 2022 Changed it name to the African Youth Empowerment Network (AYEN)

Mission/Vision

An international, independent, non-governmental, non-political and action oriented all youth empowerment organization in Africa, purposely set up to look at how the African youths can be empowered even as they grow to become the leaders of tomorrow; and to as well assist them in the personal development of youths in Africa through training for skill acquisition towards meaningful contributions to communal development.

What does the organization do?

Our efforts are focused on addressing issues on youth development, youth empowerment, promotion of youth education through workshops and seminars, vocational and leadership training courses in African countries; provision of books and financial assistance to encourage the youngsters to get off the streets to attend classes; publication of journals, guides, surveys, studies, newsletters on youth development within the communities; attend world conferences, seminars, workshops, expert group meetings and lectures on youth empowerment and development; organize HIV/AIDS and Drug use and abuse awareness education for the youths, and other programmes that has to do with youth development.

OBJECTIVES OF THE ORGANIZATION

The general purposes and objective for which this Corporation is organized shall be but not limited to as follows:

1.To identify and work with vulnerable women and children in ensuring and implementing their rights and psycho-social counseling.

2.To provide support and build the capacity of vulnerable youth through vocational studies, trainings and the holding of workshop, seminars etc with the aim of building their self-reliance, autonomy and resourcefulness.

3.To engage in various activities, including advocacy for the elderly, under privileged youth, adolescent girls, and other vulnerable people such as disables, temporary displace persons, refugees and any minority group who have been discriminated against.

4.To provide relief and assistance to the vulnerable with the aim of building their self- reliance.

5.To provide research and advocacy in human rights protection and peace promotion among vulnerable population:- children, youth, adolescent girls, the elderly, disable community, displaced persons, and refugees.

6.To engage in information collection, data and research on issues affecting the vulnerable community.

7.To advocate for support to school enrolment of vulnerable youths, disable community and any individual(s) or group so affected.

8. To ensure that the inalienable rights of the vulnerable population be adequately protected.

9. To provide advocacy and ensure that the vulnerable population treated equally favorably, regardless of health status or disability, as other age groups and to ensure that their right be applied to all aspects of life, including, but not limited to, employment, access to education, accommodations, and other facilities.

10. To ensure the vulnerable population have the right to a standard of living adequate for the health and well‐being, including access to affordable health care-medication, immunization, physical therapy surgery, nursing etc.

11. To implement legal services for the less fortunate who have no means to facilitate such services.

12. To bring hope to under privilege and less fortunate individuals national and around the globe;

13. To establish orphanage homes, health care centers, and it related services for the needy;

14. To facilitate community development, to include: physical infrastructure, sanitary and public health education and practice, etc.

15. To partner with the donor communities, both national and international in implementing programs.

16. To engage in agricultural activities with community dwellers in the fight to ensure food security.

17. To implement scholarship programs and foster education for community inhabitants;

18. To provide emergency relief assistance during disaster or vulnerability for those affected of disaster;

19. To persuade faith base organizations including national and international donors, to seek the welfare of under privilege youth around the world in a rightful and justifiable way;

20. To conduct youth programs and create re-creational activities for youth of the communities

21. To have the authority either directly or indirectly alone, or in collaboration with others to do any lawful undertakings; and to engage in any or all lawful activities for which a not-for-profit Association may exist under Chapter 20 of the Association Law of Liberia;

22. To provide educational, religious and charitable programs that aim at giving hope to the hopeless;

23. Provide medical supplies, food supplements, clothing and other needs for under privilege;

24. To organize seminars that aims at bringing out hidden potentials in our contacts for a better future;

25. To empower and send our ambassadors to raise social consciousness;

26. To maximize our impact on current efforts, we may seek to collaborate with others non-for-profit organizations which fall in line with our operations;

27. At time, per the discretion of the board of directors, we may provide volunteer community base cleaning up campaigns and volunteer opportunities which will provide opportunities for involvement in said activities or programs in order to have a greater impact for change;

28. Collaborate with Ministries and Agencies of Government to facilitate our objectives;

29. To develop programs and activities for fund raising to help accomplish our objectives;

30. To engage with relevant stakeholder and ensure that vulnerable including the disadvantage youths, elders, disable etc., have access to basic necessities, including but not limited to, adequate nutrition and potable water necessary for their health and well‐being.

31. To engage with relevant state actors, international partners, Non-Governmental Organization (NGO), Community Based organization and ensure that the elderly, disadvantage youths, disable, and any individual(s) or group(s) in this category get access to basic amenities of life, including but not limited to, appropriate shelter, clothing, and sanitation as per prevailing societal standards.

32. To do any and all things which organizations formed pursuant to the provisions of Not-For-Profit Corporation Acts under the Association laws of Liberia may now or hereafter engage in;

33. To engage into carrying other trade or business which corporation may conveniently engage with subject to the provisions of the Association Laws of the Republic of Liberia (May 19, 1976) aforesaid;

35. To exercise all powers necessary or convenient to do any lawful act, things or activity for which corporation may at any and all times be formed and established pursuant to the Association Law (May 1976) of Liberia.

34. The foregoing clauses shall be construed as both purpose and power and the matters expressed in each clause shall, except as otherwise expressly provided, be in no way limited to, or interference from the terms of any other clause, but shall be regarded as independent purposes and enumeration of specific purposes and power shall not be construed to limit or restrict in any manner the meaning of general terms of the general owners of the Corporation, nor shall the expression of the thing be deemed to exclude another although it be of like nature not expressed;

Our mission

We know that we are more effective when we work together, and believe that – as a Partnership – we will foster real change in lives of the oldforce, our less privilege Brothers and Sister in West Africa and the Rest of the World if need be.

Providing Educations on the Prevention of Bab Substance Abuse in and around the world. While there is no one way or guaranteed way to prevent someone from abusing drugs and alcohol, there are things that everyone can do to prevent substance abuse.

Here are the top five ways to prevent substance abuse that the African Youth Empowerment Network will be providing to our less privilege Brothers and Sister for Prevention in Africa and the rest part of the world:

1. Understand how substance abuse develops. Substance abuse starts by:

Using addictive drugs (illicit or prescribed) for recreational purposes
Seeking out intoxication every time you use
Abusing prescription medication.

2. Avoid Temptation and Peer Pressure. Develop healthy friendships and relationships by avoiding friends or family members who pressure you to use substances. It’s often said “we become most like those we surround ourselves by,” meaning if you surround yourself with people who abuse drugs and alcohol you are more likely to as well. Peer pressure is a major part of life for teens and adults. If you are looking to stay drug free develop a good way to just say no, prepare a good excuse or plan ahead of time to keep from giving into peer pressure.

3. Seek help for mental illness. Mental illness and substance abuse often go hand in hand. If you are dealing with a mental illness such as anxiety, depression or post-traumatic stress disorder you should seek professional help from a licensed therapist or counselor. A professional will provide you with healthy coping skills to alleviate your symptoms without turning to drugs and alcohol.

4. Examine the risk factors. Look at your family history of mental illness and addiction, several studies have shown that this disease tends to run in the family, but can be prevented. The more you are aware of your biological, environmental and physical risk factors the more likely you are to overcome them.

5. Keep a well-balanced life. People often turn to drugs and alcohol when something in their life is missing or not working. Practicing stress management skills can help you overcome these life stressors and will help you live a balanced and healthy life.

Develop goals and dreams for your future. These will help you focus on what you want and help you realize that drugs and alcohol will simply get in the way and hinder you from achieving your goals.

Share these tips for avoiding and preventing substance abuse with your friends and family and help promote a healthier lifestyle free from addiction.

2022 Leader Summit Photos

Meet Our Leaders

Leader Dee Flomo

Our Secretary General, Dee Flomo hailed from Bong County, Totota, Republic of Liberia. He graduated from St. Peter's Lutheran High School, 14th Street, Sinkor, Monrovia. He graduated from Starz University with a bachelor of Science Degree in Information Technology with concentration in System Administration. He have served in various positions in both the private and public sectors. Also, he worked with various civil society organization (CSO) before joining our team of professional. Our Secretary General is a hold lot of certificates in different field of discipline ranging from Professional and personal development, communication, Human Rights, Emotional Change, Sexual Gender Base Violence, Microsoft office suites, etc.

Leader James B. Wille

Regional Director of the African Youth Empowerment Network

Leader Garmai Befolon

General Financial Secretary of the African Youth Empowerment Network

Leader Patience Zaza

Reginal Program Director of the African Youth Empowerment Network

Leader Comfort Sumo

Reginal Program Director of the African Youth Empowerment Network