Africa-Press – Liberia. The Thompson Development Alliance (TDA) has ended the fifth edition of its Students Internship Program (SIP) 2025, reaffirming its long standing commitment to youth empowerment and human capital development in Salala and Konowolala Administrative Districts, Bong County.
The closing ceremony marked another successful chapter in the organization’s effort to prepare young Liberians for the realities of life after high school through practical exposure and structured mentorship.
The one-month internship program enrolled 63 outgoing senior students drawn from seven high schools across Salala and Konowolala Districts. Following a competitive and transparent vetting process, the selected students were deployed to various business centers, institutions and work environments within the two districts and other parts of the country.
During the internship period, participants were exposed to real workplace settings where they developed hands on skills, professional discipline and an understanding of basic organizational operations.
At the end of the program, each intern received a bank book credited with ten thousand Liberian dollars as well as an Ambassadorial Certificate acknowledging their successful completion of the program and their role as youth representatives of the Thompson Development Alliance within their respective communities.
The financial support component of the program is intended to promote savings culture and financial responsibility among young people as they prepare for higher education or vocational pathways.
The Students Internship Program is tailored to equip outgoing high school students with employable skills, strong work ethics, financial literacy and practical experience that cannot be fully achieved in the classroom alone. The initiative continues to serve as a critical link between academic learning and the job market, particularly for students from rural and underserved communities in Bong County.
Delivering the keynote address at the closing ceremony, guest speaker Madam Britta Lammers, a socio environmentalist, encouraged the students to approach life with clarity of purpose and commitment.
She urged them to take personal responsibility for their growth and future direction. “When you are clear about your purpose, your decisions become easier and your journey becomes more meaningful,” Lammers told the graduates.
She further challenged the interns to remain focused despite challenges, stating, “Your environment may shape you, but it should never define how far you can go if you stay intentional and determined.”
The program attracted a wide range of participants including local authorities, traditional leaders, youth representatives, parents, school administrators and community members from both Salala and Konowolala Districts.
Many speakers at the event commended TDA for its consistency and visible impact on the lives of young people over the past five years. Making remarks during the ceremony, Chief Executive Officer of the Thompson Development Alliance, William Telebo Thompson, expressed gratitude to all stakeholders for supporting the initiative and embracing it as a community owned program. He reaffirmed TDA’s commitment to sustaining and expanding the internship program in the coming years.
“Young people are the strongest investment any community can make, and this program is our way of preparing you for responsibility and leadership,” Thompson said. He reminded the interns that the knowledge gained during the internship should guide their future choices, adding, “What you have learned here should shape how you think, how you work and how you treat opportunities that come your way.”
Thompson further encouraged the graduates to remain disciplined and focused as they move forward. “Success is not built overnight, it is built through consistency, honesty and the willingness to keep learning even when no one is watching,” he stated. He also challenged the students to become role models within their communities, noting, “Wherever you go from here, remember that others are watching you and drawing inspiration from your actions.”
Thompson reassured the interns of the organization’s continued belief in their potential. “We have confidence in you, and we expect you to use this opportunity to transform your lives and contribute meaningfully to the development of Liberia,” he said.
Since its inception in 2021, the Students Internship Program has been implemented for five consecutive years, benefiting more than 400 outgoing senior students across Bong County and beyond.
The program has been executed at a total cost of nine million Liberian dollars, underscoring the Thompson Development Alliance’s sustained commitment to youth development, education and community empowerment.
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