Africa-Press – Liberia. The Liberia YMCA, through its National Youth Council, in collaboration with the Sierra Leone YMCA, has inaugurated a week-long International Youth Exchange Program in Freetown, Sierra Leone.
The event was held under the theme, “Empowering Youth for Peace and Sustainable Development—Together for Liberia and Sierra Leone.”
The official opening ceremony was held on Wednesday, July 9, 2025, at the YMCA Conference Hall on Forth Street, Central Freetown.
Welcoming the Liberian delegation, Sierra Leone YMCA National General Secretary Mr. Christian Kamara provided a brief history of the organization, founded in 1912, which now operates 23 local branches across three regions.
He emphasized the significance of this initiative for youth development and encouraged ongoing collaboration between the two nations and their respective YMCAs.
Speaking opening of the week-long event that ran from July 7-11, 2025, Liberia YMCA National Youth Council President and head of the delegation, Mr. Z Timothy Akoi Jr., conveyed greetings from Liberia YMCA leadership and expressed appreciation for the warm reception.
He disclosed that the exchange program aims to foster networking, mutual understanding of YMCA operations, and expand youth engagement across the West African region.
Ten delegates from Liberia participated alongside their Sierra Leone counterparts in the exchange program.
Additionally, Mr. Victor Bockarize, Chairman of the Sierra Leone National Youth Council, praised the initiative and pledged continued support for future collaborative efforts.
The activities on the opening day included facility orientation, youth leadership workshops based on the S2C (Speak to Connect) model, peacebuilding sessions, climate games, and visits to historic sites such as the university, museum, and local beaches.
The delegation extended the exchange program in Bo and Kenema cities, engaging in leadership training on the S2C model, cultural activities, peer reviews, sports, and visits to local YMCA branches.
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