16/07/2025
Children from Maryland, Grand Kru and Montserrado Counties Petition Senators at 9th Annual Peace Through Fair Play Camp
Monrovia, July 16, 2025 โ In a compelling moment at the Capitol, children representing Maryland, Grand Kru, and Montserrado counties, participating in the 9th Annual Peace Through Fair Play (PTFP) Camp, on Tuesday petitioned members of the Liberian Senate with heartfelt appeals for greater investment in education, healthcare, justice, and job creation.
Speaking on behalf of the campers, N. Kenneth Weah, a student of Our Lady of Fatima High School in Harper, Maryland County, delivered a speech that echoed the voices of rural Liberian children, thanking lawmakers for their service while calling for urgent attention to their daily struggles.
"We are not just campers," Weah emphasized. "We are the voices of children from the South-Eastern Region."
The event was organized under the banner of the Gbowee Peace Foundation Africa (GPFA), led by Nobel Peace Laureate Madam Leymah R. Gbowee. The Peace Through Fair Play camp is a signature initiative aimed at empowering young people through leadership training, peacebuilding education, and teamwork.
In his address, Weah thanked Madam Gbowee and the GPFA team for what he described as a life-changing opportunity, allowing participants to connect with fellow youth while learning valuable lessons that prepare them to become future leaders of Liberia.
He highlighted four key areas of concern:
Education โ Many schools in their region suffer from a lack of qualified teachers, inadequate learning materials, and overcrowded classrooms. Some students walk over five kilometers daily just to attend class.
Healthcare โ With clinics spread thin and lacking staff and essential supplies, sick children often have to travel long distances for basic care and vaccinations.
Joblessness โ Parents, many of whom are farmers or small traders, struggle with low incomes. This directly impacts their ability to pay school fees, causing frequent interruptions in childrenโs education.
Justice and Safety โ Access to justice is limited in rural areas, leaving families vulnerable when conflict or harm arises.
โWithout strong justice systems, sometimes children and their families feel unsafe or helpless,โ he added.
The young speaker concluded with a passionate call to action:
โPlease invest in education, health, and job opportunities. Build roads, equip clinics, support small businesses, and strengthen our justice systems. We, the children, want to grow up in a peaceful Liberia where every child has a chance.โ
As Liberia charts its course for long-term development, voices like those of the PTFP campers offer a timely reminder that the countryโs future truly depends on how it listens to and acts for its youngest citizens.
