The Light Foundation for the Needy donated several shoe shine boxes to shoe shine boys at the ELWA intersection over the weekend in Paynesville.
According to the Executive Director, David M. Kollie, the donation of these boxes is intended to encourage young Liberians who are engaged with the shoe shining business across the country.
Director Kollie stated that Liberians who are doing business like shoe shining should not be discriminated against in society, noting that they are earning honest living rather stealing in the communities.
He noted that, due to the lack of employment confronting the nation, many Liberians are trying to engage into good ventures in the country.
He pointed out that doing shoe shining business is not a bad thing, but they should learn to save their money in order to improve their businesses in the near future.
Director Kollie underscored that Light Foundation for the Needy is striving to buttress government’s effort in helping the needy around the nation, but it also needs support from government to ensure that the foundation that reaches the most needy people in the society.
He asserted that the support of government and its international partners is critical in helping the most needy in Liberia, as Light Foundation for the Needy is resolved to fostering a good direction for them.
Director Kollie emphasized that youth of Liberia should desist from taking in illicit drugs and concentrate on developing their potential positively in the rebuilding process of Liberia. He observed that every Liberian is important in the developmental process of the nation.
Meanwhile, the Shoe Shine Boys at the ELWA intersection expressed thanks and appreciation to Light Foundation for the Needy for recognizing their contributions and efforts in building a wholesome society, where every individual’s effort is recognized by all—with the respect and dignity of labor.
They claimed that some of them are university and high school graduates, but with the prevailing situation of unemployment in the country, they have to find alternatives to survive.
They hoped that government will look in their direction to empower and recognize their contributions to the society.
They lamented that over the years some Liberians have taken the shoe shining business for granted, but now it is one of the means that many people are getting their livelihood from.
“Through shoe shining business, we are sending our children to school as well as taking care of our families,” they said.