Dear Olga and Mr. Byers,

I have arrived safely to Liberia. Many thanks to you and Bryan for lodging me into your house from June 10-14, 2010, which I will never forget about.

Just to let you know that I felt at home while in Hampton and experience a good life there, especially meeting others like Rev. Greene, Rev. and Dr. Hardy, Mr. Byers and Mike who make me feel more part of the family.

I will keep in touch with you all. Attached are the photos of us at your place in Hampton and Mr. Byers with me at the Base.

Take care,

Thomas Mitchell

————————————-

NAYD International board member attending Women Deliver 2010 Conference

One of NAYD international board members is attending an international conference, to be held in Washington DC, USA from June 7^th – 9^th and a youth pre-conference on June 6^th by the same organizer Women Deliver. Mr. Mitchell, who was once NAYD International Regional Director for West Africa, will be attending this historical event along with other vibrant young leaders around world who were selected to participate.

M. Thomas Mitchell is among three Liberians attending the US conference schedule for next month June, which is organized and sponsor by Women Deliver. Women Deliver is a global advocacy organization bringing together voices from around the world to call for action against maternal death.

Moreover, Mr. Mitchell will be representing another new initiative called the “Liberia Initiative for Less Fortunate Children, (LILFOC)”. Fortunately, he will be meeting other former partners and would be partners in Washington DC, Virginia, and New Jersey. He will meet in Washington DC, Ms Jessica Rimington, Founder and President of the One World Youth Project and Jenny Lindamood Coordinator for Youth for Human Rights International-Washington DC Chapter. Furthermore, in Virginia, Mr. Mitchell will be meeting Mrs. Olga Crupper, Executive Director for Human Relief Organization and Ms Caroline Watson, his Liberian counterpart. Mr. Mitchell will also meet with other Liberian counterparts in New Jersey to discuss the dreadful needs of less fortunate children in Liberia.

Inspire Newsletter Dec 2009

INSPIRE Newsletter Oct. 2009

September 28, 2009

To: Richard Fletcher

Founder/Universal Peace Society

Melbourne, Australia

From: Thomas P. Mitchell, Jr.

Peace Representative (Liberia)

Universal Peace Society

Subject: Commemoration of the “Gathering of All Nations Liberia 2009″?

On 21^{st September 2009, a one day event was held on the main campus of the Global Cares Mission Academy, a local community school in Liberia teaching over 200 students, some are less privileged children. The one day event in the name of Gathering of Nations 2009, is a global event initiated by Richard Fletcher in Melbourne, Australia and founder of the Universal Peace Society.}

In commemorating this global peace event, we in Liberia, as a youth led organization called the Network of African Youths for Development (NAYD Liberia)

During the presentation of this peace conference on the campus of the Global Cares Mission Academy, students and teachers were able to learn about importance of peace building and were informed about the goals of Gathering of All Nations 2009 conference around the world. Those presented were, Andrew D. Kuwon, Country Coordinator of NAYD Liberia and Thomas P. Mitchell, Jr., Regional Director, NAYD International and Local Consultant of NAYD Liberia.

Expectation

We hope to organize a bigger peace conference in 2010 and create high media awareness in meeting with large number of peace activists, youth groups, students, human rights activists, etc.

Recommendation

Students and teachers of the Global Cares Mission Academy in Liberia, to where the Gathering of All Nations 2009 Liberia conference was held, have recommended that the next peace conference in 2010 reach its goal in targeting the require number, printing of peace t-shirts, and maybe a peace march.

Acknowledgement

Special thanks to Mr. Richard Fletcher for initiating this Gathering of All Nations 2009 conference and plans to reach the 2012 goals, gathering of peace representatives in Melbourne, Australia.

Andrew D. Kuwon, Country Coordinator of the Network of African Youths for Development (NAYD Liberia) and Thomas P. Mitchell, Jr., who is the Regional Director for West Africa for the Network of African Youths for Development (NAYD International) and a peace representative of the Universal Peace Society in Liberia.

www.nayd.org/liberia.htm , successfully implemented a one day peace event on September 21, 2009 in celebration of the global peace conference initiated from Melbourne, Australia by Richard Fletcher.

Sept 1. 2009

INSPIRE Newsletter #27, Sept. 2009

: Network of African Youths for Development – INSPIRE magazine

Hi everyone

First of all we would like to congratulate the successful applicants to the NAYD summit to be held at YMCA centre, Nairobi – details at www.nayd.org/summit_2009.htm . Accommodation and food has been organised on a full board basis. As well as a swimming pool and other great facilities it also has a conference centre making it ideal for our summit. Just a reminder that the 30 September is the last date for submission of abstracts etc. Also to say that Media registration is free of charge and that freelance journalists wishing to cover the conference should submit copies of assignment electronically to media2009@nayd.org.

In this  27^th edition of INSPIRE you can read about climate change in Kenya, the scope of poverty in Sierra Leone and why we should value our water as well as other interesting articles.

A list of the hundreds of NAYD members from 37 African countries and beyond can be seen on our members page at www.nayd.org/members.htm . Why not join us by completing the form at the top of the page!

Take care

Paul

www.geovision.co.uk

www.NAYD.org

text/mob: +447715419530

July 9, 2009

Dear Friends,

In recent time, from June 26 to July 5, 2009, NAYD Liberia had received their first international guest from the New York, USA on an assessment trip to Liberia to help build the capacity of Liberian students on Solar Energy and other related alternative energy solutions.

Mr. Charles J. Byers and Joey Byers were the two persons that visited Liberia and many of our appointments were successful. Mr. Charles Byers is the Vice President of the Human Relief Organization located in the Virginia, USA and he is also the President of the Pleasant Valley Energy group in New York. His son Joey Byers accompaned him to experience a social and economic problems in the Liberian society relating to Liberian students.

We met with some eminent government and foreign diplomats during Mr. Byer’s trip to Liberia and those we had met highly welcomed our new up coming initiative on Solar Energy education for secondary and primary students. A  mentor team will be set up within NAYD Liberia to undergo several trainings on Solar education solution and this team will help teach secondary and primary school students to grasp the basic concept on Solar Energy.

We are preparing detail reports on Mr. Charles J. Byers to Liberia and will share copy of our reports with you soon.

My office is open for any inquiry, feel free to contact me.

In peace and progress.

Regards,

Thomas P. Mitchell Jr.
Regional Director for West Africa
NAYD International
www.nayd.org

+2316-442400

June 17, 2009

Ms Olga Crupper

President, Human Relief Organization

United States of America

Mr. Charles J. Byers

Vice President, Human Relief Organization

United States of America

Dear Ms. Crupper and Mr. Byers:

NAYD Liberia is youth-led organization stands to create mutual opportunities for Liberian youths through sustainable development and involving them into an African network to serve as potential activist for the promotion of sustainable development such as, UN MDGs, Human Rights, Literacy, Peace Building, HIV/AIDS, etc.

After numerous efforts in trying to fulfill the above aims and objectives, we have decided to launch our project entitled “Child Literacy Program Initiative” (CLPI) slated for the 3^rd July 2009 in the conference room of the Hope Recreation Center on the premises of the SKD Sports Complex at about 1:00pm.

In this regard, we are delighted to have you honor for your extra-ordinary Humanitarian role at the global level including the Liberian society during the launching program.

We look forward to seeing you as we also anticipate international guests and some dignitaries within our Liberian setting.

The Importance of Human Rights Education in Africa Today

It is evident that the majority of people in Africa are each day been denied of their basic human rights by individuals, government or social groups knowingly or unknowingly. This is because the issue of people’s rights is only becoming new to many Africans considering the poverty rate in Africa, civil war, rapes, injustices, etc. One needs not to have a second thought of the need for human rights education in every sectors of our African society.

Human rights education is very important in Africa today since it will help people know and understand that like every other person they are entitled to the same basic rights.
Mr. Mitchell in Australia during the Kaleidoscope 2007 conference hosted by Oxfam Australia
It will help us understand and respect each other rights and many of the violence we unconsciously rained on one another will be avoided.

-It will help fight poverty and injustices in Africa.

-It will help us speak out for our rights and the rights of those who can not speak for themselves.

-The issue of child labor, girl’s education, gender equality and equal opportunity will be addressed.

-It will promote and encourage good governance in Africa and help us practicalize democratic principle to the letter.

-It will give hope and future to many Africans especially children and women who are most abused in Africa.

Young People Participation

It is a great opportunity for youth leaders, NGOs, and students to participate. I feel it is important to be part of a global initiative as relate to human rights, HIV/AIDS, etc. When a person is train morally and/or constructively, that person becomes more creative or desirous in his/her community or group.

-To learn from experts and practically implement.

-To educate other peer groups and youth leaders in and around Africa.

-To help minimize or eradicate problems that is dangerous in our society today.

-To learn bout human rights and good governance that will foster peace building.

To collaborate with peer groups, youth organizations, and Youth leaders around the world to establish networks that will promote human rights, sustainable development, and peace building.

Thomas P. Mitchell, Jr.
Regional Director for West Africa
NAYD International

Liberia Office
Phone: +2316583328

www.nayd.org

In commemoration of the One Day OWYP MDGs Awareness organized by the One World Youth Project (OWYP) and globally implemented by partner organizations around the world, including the Network of African Youths for Development (NAYD-Liberia), was held on April 25, 2008 in the conference room of LIFE, Inc in Liberia.

This One Day OWYP MDGs Awareness was held locally by NAYD-Liberia inviting students to this important celebration. NAYD-Liberia which focuses on goal 2 of the UN Millennium Development Goals, enlighten many students who attended this one day awareness program in commemorating the UN MDGs organized by the One World Youth Project (OWYP), a USA based organization focusing on the MDGs, headed by Ms Jessica Rimington, President and along side with dedicated project ambassadors around the world.

Personalities who were invited and attended the one day awareness program, were Mr. George Karyah, General Coordinator of the Liberian Innovation Foundation for Empowerment (LIFE, Inc), Mr. Al King, Regional Representative, Student World Assembly (SWA-Liberia), Mr. Samuel Karyah, Youth Coordinator of LIFE and he served as the Keynote Speaker during MDGs awareness program, Mr. J. Emmanuel Mac Russell Jr., Youth Development Officer, Mr. Samuel Smith, Student of the United Methodist University, Mr. Adolphus Gaymoore, AME Zion University College/member of NAYD-Liberia, and Ms Kula Zodua, Activist for girls and Youth development in Liberia and also member of NAYD-Liberia.

Mr. Thomas Mitchell, Regional Director for NAYD International gave the welcome and introductory remarks and was answerable to students during the questions and answers section of the MDGs awareness program held by NAYD-Liberia. Mr. Kish Trokon Beadeh of NAYD-Liberia gave the overview of NAYD-Liberia and the One World Youth Project relating to the one day MDGs awareness. We had about 35 students who attended and were all excited about learning all about the UN MDGs.

Special appreciation to the following persons who contributed to the success of our program:

Mr. George Karyah Mr. Andrew D. Kuwon Ms Johnette E. Schofield

General Coordinator Country Coordinator Member

LIFE, Inc NAYD-Liberia NAYD Liberia

Mr. Charles W. Wilson Mr. Samuel Karyah

Member Youth Coordinator

NAYD Liberia LIFE,Inc

NAYD International serving as a Civil Society Partner for the Fourth World Youth Congress which is ongoing in Quebec, Canada August 10-21, 2008. NAYD International CEO, Miss Pochi Tamba is currently in Quebec attending the 4^th World Youth Congress. Attached is the link below with her photos and interview. http://www.nayd.org/World_Youth_Congress_2008.htm.

Thomas P. Mitchell Jr.

Regional Director for West Africa

NAYD International

Mobile: +2316442400

web: www.nayd.org

Liberia Office

NAYD Liberia

Mobile: +2315686096 or +2316442400

Web: www.nayd.org/liberia.htm

October 21, 2008

To: Ms Pochi Tamba

CEO, NAYD International

Cameroon, East Africa

From: Mr. Thomas P. Mitchell Jr.

West Africa Regional Director

NAYD International

Liberia, West Africa

Subject: One Day Workshop on Youth Leaders as “Social Change Activist”

A one day workshop was held on the Saturday, 18^th of October 2008 at the conference hall of the Liberian Innovation Foundation for Empowerment (LIFE Inc.). The title of this one day workshop was YOUTH LEADERS AS “SOCIAL CHANGE ACTIVIST”, which was intended to educate and strategize workable youth leadership plans for social change and youth led initiatives. The workshop was interactive and participatory, involving representatives of youth led organizations in Liberia.

The facilitation was done by the following personalities:

Name Topics

George Karyah (1^st Facilitator) The Importance of Youth Leadership in Social Change

Adama Dempster (2^nd Facilitator) Youth Actions on Social Change

Thomas Mitchell (Co-Facilitator) Both Topics Above

The first facilitation was carried on by Mr. George Karyah. He was able to fully engaged participants, making the workshop participatory. During his facilitation, some questions were (a) who are youth? (Ages 18-35), (b) what is change? (Moving from stage to another) and (c) What is leadership? (The act of inspiring people in pursuit of a desire goal). Mr. Karyah also elaborated on some key leadership styles as follow; (a) Authocrative, (b) Authoritative, (c) Democratic, and (d) Laisez-faire. These four leadership styles were discussed in the simplest form relating to leader and youth leaders.

The second facilitation, which was carried on by Mr. Adama Dempster, was also participatory. Question posted to participants were, who an activist is? These are answers from participants; (a) A person who speaks on behalf of marginalize people, (b) A committed person speaking for voiceless, and (c) A person who advocates for positive change.

Mr. Dempster, primarily lecture on three sub-topics; (a) Youth Activism, (b) Youth Empowerment, and (c) Youth Mainstreaming. The facilitator was able to deeply define and explained the above sub-topics to participants at the simplest level.

At the end of each topic discussed, participants and facilitators were engaged into questions and answers. According to our evaluation, as organizer of this youth leadership workshop, both topics were 98% achievable and comprehensive. This has shown the level of expectation from participants.

Some of the participants, were urged to made special remarks including Ms Beageorge M. Cooper, representative of Youth Action International (YAI-Liberia), Mr. Teewon N. Dolopei, representative of Youth for Human Rights International (YHRI-Liberia), Mr. Samuel Karyah, youth representative of the Liberian Innovation Foundation for Empowerment (LIFE Inc.), and Mr. Urias W. Vakona, youth representative of Sand Town Community.

Recommendations were made after the workshop from participants, namely;

Ø Community leader’s involvement

Ø Inviting NGO Leaders with experience

Ø Asking for recommendation from participants

Ø Involving into practical aspect to bring social change

CONCLUSION

The workshop was organized by the Network of African Youths for Development (NAYD Liberia) and sponsored by NAYD International West Africa Regional Office. Because of the high enthusiasm of participants and facilitators through recommendations, NAYD Liberia has promised to enhance future youth leadership workshop and make more lively.

WORKSHOP PARTICIPANTS

Names Organizations Acronym

Adama Dempster (M) Human Rights and Protection Forum HRPF

Agatha M. Nimene (F) GSA Road Community (Incoming Member) NAYD Liberia

Andrew D. Kuwon (M) Network of African Youths for Development NAYD-Liberia

Beageorge M. Cooper (F) Youth Action International-Liberia YAI-Liberia

Charles W. Wilson II (M) Network of African Youths for Development NAYD-Liberia

George B. Karyah (M) Liberian Innovation Foundation for Empowerment LIFE Inc.

Johnette Schofield (F) Network of African Youths for Development NAYD-Liberia

Kish Trokon Beadeh (M) Network of African Youths for Development NAYD-Liberia

Nathaniel Hunder (M) GSA Road Community (Incoming Member) NAYD-Liberia

Samuel D. Karyah (M) Liberian Innovation Foundation for Empowerment LIFE Inc.

Mark Zeway (M) Liberian Innovation Foundation for Empowerment LIFE Inc.

Teewon N. Dolopei (M) Youth for Human Rights International-Liberia YHRI-Liberia

Thomas P. Mitchell Jr. (M) Network of African Youths for Development NAYD International

Urias W. Vakona (M) Sand Town Community

FACILITATORS/ TOPICS

Mr. George B. Karyah —- The Importance of Youth Leadership in Social Change

Mr. Adama Dempster —- Youth Actions on Social Change

CO-FACILITATOR

Mr. Thomas P. Mitchell Jr — (Both topics above)

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

Specials to the following organizations and individuals:

Liberian Innovation foundation for Empowerment (LIFE Inc)

Human Rights and Protection Forum (HRPF)

NAYD International West Africa Regional Office

Network of African Youths for Development (NAYD Liberia)

Youth Action International-Liberia (YAI-Liberia)

Youth for Human Rights International-Liberia (YHRI-Liberia)

Sand Town Community

GSA Road Community

Individuals

George B. Karyah

Adama Dempster

Thomas P. Mitchell Jr.

Network for African Youths Development

On our website each African country now has its own NAYD map – see here as an example showing organisation and/or individual member details and locations. Local time is also displayed. We have over 350 members who have joined via the web so if you would like a position on the map let me know where you are and I’ll include you on it. We are also creating a list of NAYD organizations on our YAHOO group to facilitate inter-organisation dialogue. Enter details here.

Inspire 19

HI all and a Happy New year 2009 to all of you. I apologize for sending this message out a bit late. I have been busy at the office. I work as a journalist for the Cameroon Radio and Television and this December has been particularly hectic for me. Well, am back and I hope that 2009 will be our year of achievement. There is just so much pointing to that direction. Briefly, I will introduce to you the new persons taking control seats in NAYD and what their responsibilities will be and then I will try to give an overview of what we hope to do in the next 12 month.

NEW BOARD of DIRECTORS:

I use this opportunity to re-introduce the following persons to you who now become members of the NAYD Board of Directors. You should know some of them, who till now were country Coordinators.

a) Michael MUCHOMBA,

Mike has been a very active country coordinator for Kenya and is currently doing great things that you can read about on our yahoo forum. He now joins the NAYD BOD with a special duty to manage Country Offices. This involves working with and coordinating the activities of country coordinators on behalf of NAYD head Office. I expect he should be introducing himself to you and especially to the country coordinators sometime soon, when he can afford the time.

b) Kevin CHIKE NNADI,

Kevin is the country coordinator of Nigeria and has done a great job this far. He joins the NAYD BOD with a special duty of the BOARD CHAIRPERSON. He has the sensitive and challenging duty of calling Board meetings, keeping minutes and keeping Board members up to date with all issues relating to the functioning of the NAYD Board issues. I expect that he should be introducing himself too to you soon, and will start thinking in that light instantly.

c) Thomas MITCHELL

Tom is a co-founder of NAYD and has been the NAYD Director for West Africa and has done a lot in the field of development especially for the youths of his country. He joins the NAYD BOD with a special duty to oversee projects and NAYD programs. He shall work closely with the NAYD project Coordinator and other members of the NAYD head office to make sure that NAYD projects and activities follow the guidelines of the BOARD. He shall get feedback to the BOARD whenever necessary on any issues that need to be addressed. I hope he should introduce himself to you soon on how he hopes to work with you and for you.

d) POCHI TAMBA,

Pochi is a co-founder of NAYD and has been the CEO from the onset. She joins the NAYD BOD with no additional task than that of continuing to run the daily activities of the Network of African Youths for Development.

NEW FACES in the Main Office

1. KIME ESTHER: Public Relations and Communication Officer

Esther is welcome to NAYD as the New PRO and Com officer. She is presently a special reporter for the Cameroon Television and very interested in youth development. We count on her world of experience to man the NAYD communication team and chart new grounds for us. Specifically, she has as duty to

· Coordinate the production of INSPIRE magazine each month

· Provide quality content for the website

· Manage all communication issues related to NAYD, especially those coming through the NAYD mailbox.

1. SANNI Ibrahim: Content Editor

Ibrahim is welcome to NAYD as a content editor. He will be responsible for sourcing for getting articles and information about your events and activities for use in INSPIRE and on the website. He will work with Kima Esther and Christian Tabifor, the layout editor who has been doing all the work so far.

1. O’SEUN ADEWALE: Volunteer and New Office Coordinator

O’seun joins NAYD with a wealth of experience in youth –led development that NAYDians all over Africa can benefit from. From January 2009, he takes over the handling of all issues related to the opening of NEW NAYD offices and coordination of Volunteer activities. All requests to that effect should be addressed to his name.

To Esther, Ibrahim and O’Seun, I say WELCOME once more and hope that with them, NAYD will go one step ahead. I am eager to see their footprints on our sand.

Projected activities of NAYD in 2009

a) 2^nd NAYD Summit: The second edition of the NAYD Summit is planned for later this year and we are still to decide when and where it shall hold. Please check our yahoo forum for the criteria to host this event in your country if interested. The an election shall be done in the January’s monthly conference of NAYD to decide which country will host the summit. If by then no candidate country has come forward, we shall start the default machine.

b) Opening up of the NAYD Bank Account: We are working on opening up a NAYD account from a respected bank in Africa. That should be done by end of January 2009 and we shall start an aggressive fundraising campaign then.

c) Opening up of New NAYD offices and General reorganization of NAYD:

The updated list of NAYD country offices and their country coordinators will be published eventually so that you have a clear idea who is the new NAYD representative in your area. Those who have applied to represent NAYD in their countries should please check with nayd2007@yahoo.com to know your status.

There are a number of activities that should go on during the year in NAYD countries especially in Kenya, Nigeria andCameroon. I advice that you check on the NAYD website at www.nayd.org for an update once in a week.

Cheers and Happy New year once more.

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