By: Peter Kollie | Lofa Correspondent
Salayea District, Lofa County |February 13, 2026|More than 300 residents of Salayea District and neighboring communities have acquired practical livelihood skills following the successful completion of a two-week intensive training program organized under the NENIKPOMA Empowerment Initiative.
The program, which concluded on Thursday, February 12, 2026, equipped participants—mainly women and youth—with hands-on training in income-generating activities such as soap making, Kernel fresh production, and other vocational skills designed to promote self-reliance and economic independence.
The training forms part of ongoing efforts to strengthen local economies by empowering community members with sustainable skills that can help reduce unemployment and improve household incomes. Organizers say the initiative aims to transform beneficiaries into small-scale entrepreneurs capable of contributing meaningfully to community development.
Participants described the program as timely and impactful, noting that it has boosted their confidence and provided them with practical knowledge to start and manage small businesses.
“This training has opened new opportunities for us,” said one beneficiary. “We now have skills that can help us take care of our families and become financially independent.”
During the closing ceremony, community leaders, elders, and residents expressed gratitude to the organizers for bringing the empowerment initiative to Salayea. They commended the consistent commitment to uplifting vulnerable groups and strengthening grassroots development.
According to program coordinators, plans are underway to decentralize the training to other communities within Salayea District to ensure wider participation. The initiative is also expected to expand to Zorzor District and surrounding areas in the coming months.
The NENIKPOMA Empowerment Initiative continues to play a key role in promoting skills development and entrepreneurship in Lofa County, with stakeholders expressing hope that such programs will help foster long-term economic stability and social progress.
