The Lutheran Church of Liberia has officially launched its Psychosocial Project intended to reduce societal fragmentation through intervention and empowerment of returning migrants and drug users in Liberia.
With support from Bread for the World Germany, the project is also being implemented by the Lutheran Church in Liberia Trauma Healing and Reconciliation Program through the Civil Peace Service (CPS) Network of Liberia.
The Lutheran Church in Liberia Trauma Healing and Reconciliation Program established since 1998; seeks to promote peacebuilding and national reconciliation by providing psychosocial support through community engagements and strengthening local community structures.
The LCL-THRP is a member of the Civil Peace Service (CPS) Network of Liberia which was initiated by the German Federal Government comprising of both governmental and non-governmental agencies, religious-affiliated and non-affiliated institutions.
The CPS also works to promote peace by strengthening civil structures and initiatives, focusing particularly on youths and women in the Mano River region by ensuring that natural resources are utilized for the benefit of the society.
Officially launching the project recently, the Lutheran Bishop, Dr. Jensen Seyenkulo vowed to ensure that the Church works with national government, drug users and other civil society organizations for the rehabilitation of disadvantaged youths he described as Liberia’s future generation.
Bishop Jensen stressed that though many returning migrants and drug users feel neglected by society; the church is also focused on giving hope during their hopeless moment but challenged disadvantaged youths to be positive in their decisions and actions.
He added that many disadvantaged or drug-affected youths across the country have strong desire to be rehabilitated into society with a new mind set, and emphasized that the need for government and others which can help realize them achieve such hope can never be overemphasized.
Earlier, giving the overview of the project, LCL-THRP Director, Rev. F. Philip L. Nushann, Jr. outlined the main activities of the project which include the empowerment of 10 returning migrants and 10 drug users through the provision of life skills training opportunities.
Director Nushann added that the project also seeks to work with parents and communities to have rehabilitated disadvantaged or affected drug users and returning migrants reintegrated in homes and communities so that they too can live their full potential without fear of stigma and discrimination.
The Liberia Drugs Enforcement Agency (LDEA) Information and Communication Director, Michael Jipply extoled the Lutheran Church Trauma Healing program for such initiative in complementing national government’s efforts to ensure a drug-free society for the protection of Liberia’s future generation.
Meanwhile, making remark at the occasion, Montserrado County Senator, Abraham Darius Dillon pointed out that Liberia cannot and will not achieve the fight against illicit drugs and drug users only based on stronger drug laws; instead, it will be full implementation of intentional and courageous decisions by everyone, especially responsible institutions.
Speaking on behalf of his colleagues, George B. Logan said that they are willing to leave what he described as “bad habits” and do something positive with their lives that have already been wasted by their addiction. Bill W. Cooper writes.
