“HEAL” Platform

L - Labor in “HEAL” 

In Liberia, local communities often face the challenge of creating job opportunities for their citizens. This is especially difficult for communities in electoral district #3 which has economic instability, high illiteracy, unemployment, etc. Although creating job opportunities may seem hard, we have discovered several ways to unlock job opportunities in our communities within Electoral District #3, Bong County, Liberia. Here is some steps Team Babajuah will take to help each community in creating job opportunities for our citizens and expand the labor force, boost our local economy, improve families’ livelihoods and promote quality, accessible and affordable education, healthcare and other basic services.

1. We will Invest in Our Local Economy

Investing locally helps stimulate growth and creates more jobs, increasing demand for goods and services. There are several ways we will invest in our local economy, such as supporting small businesses, farming or encouraging entrepreneurs to open up shop in our area/communities. We will also invest in public infrastructure projects that will benefit the community, such as rehabilitating the abandoned water Towel, improving roads, electricity supply, creating parks/recreational centers, and involving into waste management, and other public spaces. All these investments will help create more jobs and improve the quality of life for everyone in our community/district. Working with the District Development Council (DDC), we will create jobs by tapping into local resources and talents. Example -1: We will encourage restaurants owners to work with farmers to serve as farmers’ market. At such point, the restaurants owners will tap into farmers production processes and buy the products. Example -2: Tap into homebuilders in our community to build affordable housing for low-income families. This will not only create homebuilding jobs but also provide much-needed homes for those who wouldn’t be able to afford them otherwise. Similarly, we will work with other local businesses and industries to create job opportunities that benefit the community. This job creation chain will help stimulate economic growth and create wealth for everyone in our community/district.

2. Encourage Education

Another way our communities will create job opportunities is by encouraging education among the citizens. Education provides people with the skills and knowledge they need to succeed in the workplace, which makes them more attractive candidates for employers looking to fill positions within their organizations. Additionally, educating citizens about local businesses and industries can help them identify potential career paths and better understand the skills needed for success in each field. Finally, educational institutions often serve as major employers within a community. Investing in higher education could lead to more jobs overall. Our office will work with the District Development Council (DDC), the District Education Office to add 2years vocational courses to all major high schools that will prepare students graduating from high school for the job market. We will work with our partners to invest into educational facilities and human resource development. 

3. Support Small Businesses

Small businesses are key drivers of any local economy. They provide goods and services to consumers while also generating tax revenue for governments and creating employment opportunities for locals. We will provide incentives and support programs tailored toward helping small business owners succeed and grow their operations. This includes providing access to capital through loans and grants and offering tax breaks or other forms of assistance (such as mentorship programs). Doing so will benefit existing small business owners and foster an environment where aspiring entrepreneurs feel encouraged & supported enough to start new ventures within the community/district. We will work with the executive, the District Development Council (DDC), our partners to secure revolving loan for small businesses, etc.

4. Encourage Local Businesses to Hire Locally

When businesses hire locally, they are investing back into their community and creating jobs for people who live nearby. Furthermore, these jobs often come with benefits such as healthcare and paid time off, which can be a lifeline for those who need it most. Community members will reach out directly or join a hiring committee on the DDC to encourage local businesses to hire locally. They will meet with local business owners and encourage them to participate in this initiative. Suppose you are a local food business owner. In that case, you can create job opportunities by purchasing from local farms and other food producers. You can also directly partner with them to produce products for your business and create employment opportunities for those in the local community. We will work with the DDC to encourage this amongst the citizens in the district.

5. Create Training Programs and Mentorship Opportunities

Another great way that communities in our district will create job opportunities is by offering training programs and mentorship opportunities for those who want to learn new skills or break into a new field. These programs can provide theoretical education and practical experience that will give participants an edge when it comes time for them to find work. Our DDC will offer mentorship opportunities where experienced professionals mentor newcomers in their chosen fields. Professionals will give them the knowledge and confidence needed to succeed in their chosen career paths.

6. Partner With Other Organizations and Companies

Finally, one of the best ways our district will create job opportunities is by partnering with other organizations committed to creating employment in underserved areas. Organizations such as non-profits or government agencies will provide resources such as funding or access to networks of potential employers. These could be used by community members looking for work. For instance, our community has a talent pool for Agriculture industry, etc. we will contact organizations looking for people with those qualifications and form a partnership. This will create job opportunities and provide the guidance and support many potential employees need to get their foot in the door. We will work with our partners to bring companies – like pharmaceutical company, electricity company, agriculture company, etc. to create more lasting jobs and better living environment for our people.