A recent report by Human Rights Watch, titled “How to Fight, How to Kill: Child Soldiers in Liberia ” detailed the horrific experience children and youth in Liberia went through, and continue to go through.

Reports from the United Nations indicated that 15,000 Child soldiers (possibly more) were actively engaged during the civil war in Liberia; in spite of the fact that this was a serious violation of their rights as children. These Child Soldiers encompassed children under the age of 12, and of both sexes.

The effects of the trauma of these now former child soldiers, is a threat to their future, and the future of Liberia .

In order to rehabilitate these youth on the long term, it is essential that they be enrolled in formal or non formal training programs. These training programs could range from vocational to academic programs. It is also essential that those effected by this trauma go through a counseling program.

These effected children and youth in Liberia have indicated that they have a strong interest in obtaining skills and in having an education.

Training these children and youth, creates a win-win situation for both the effected children and youth, and the Liberian society. The rewards of training these effected children and youth serves as long term rehabilitation, and also provides the urgent post-war skills needed in the rebuilding of Liberia .

The rehabilitation of these children and youth is essential, in order to assist Liberia remain a peaceful society in the long run, and to also prevent future conflict.

Several reports have also highlighted the fact that Liberian women and children; ranging from girls less than eight years old, to women in their seventies, have been victims or have witnessed sexual violence in Liberia. The American Medical Association, reported that 49% of Liberian women experienced one act of physical or sexual violence during the war. Some studies have put the proportion of women and girls raped in Liberia, at an estimated 40%. Associated Press buttressed these finding in an article, in which aid workers with rape survivors' assistance groups in Liberia, reported that they had never seen so many rape cases before.

Installing training centers and sexual education programs for women is essential for these women, and additional effort must be made by government, in conjunction with international agencies, to heal the psychological traumas faced by Liberian women and children.

DOVAfrica therefore seeks to assist in preserving long term peace in Liberia by acting as that bridge to assist these effected children, women and youth in adjusting and contributing positively to sustaining peace in post-war Liberian society since peace in the Liberia strongly depends on the successful reintegration of child soldiers into civil society.

Liberia's DOVAfrica's study identified Training, Environment and Health Care needing immediate and continued development and sustainability.

Training

Training to supplement Government and other agencies in their effort in the provision of functional training, with specific emphasis on former child soldiers (effected children and youth) remains in dire need.

NON-FORMAL LITERACY PROGRAMMES

There is insufficient non-formal Mass Literacy targeted at effected children and youth and at women. The literacy rate of women in Liberia stand at a dismal 39%!

There is inadequate Environmental Education.

There is a need to carry out Environmental Impact Assessment and Environmental management plan that addresses the whole environment i.e. from the physical, chemical biological aspects to the socio-economic: cultural and health aspects of communities.

There is a need to set up Environmental Management Systems for Communities.

There is a need to carry out environment surveys and studies.

Lack of sufficient training on the importance of prenatal care, primary care, infant nutrition, family planning, diarrhea management, child welfare, immunization, and good antenatal and postnatal practices.

Lack of targeted provision of the specific health care needs to former girl soldiers.

Lack of targeted provision of the specific health care needs to former boy soldiers.

Severe scarcity of primary health care training for women.