LACE Executive Director joins a team of Ministers frrom Ministry of Youth & SPorts and Gender, Children and Social Protection to assess REALISE Project Beneficiaries in Bong, Nimba, Grand Bassa and Rivesscess County

The Executive Director of the Liberia Agency for Community Empowerment (LACE), Mr. Julius K. Sele, has actively participated in the Joint Monitoring and Supervision Mission of the Stakeholder Steering Committee of the REALISE Project across Nimba, Bong, Grand Bassa, and Rivercess Counties.

The mission brought together the Liberia Agency for Community Empowerment (LACE), the Ministry of Youth and Sports, and the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection to assess the implementation, progress, effectiveness, and impact of REALISE Project interventions and engage directly with beneficiaries in participating communities.

In Nimba County, the LACE Executive Director participated in engagements with beneficiaries in several communities, including Gehwee and Tonwee, where beneficiaries reported using the US$1,800 Community Fund to construct a town hall and two hand pumps, respectively. Beneficiaries also shared testimonies of investing their project payments in fish marketing, construction, and other income-generating activities.

Mr. Sele also led the Stakeholder Steering Committee on a guided tour of the Japanese Wood Workshop Project in Nimba. He highlighted the project’s potential to equip young people with technical skills in wood processing and furniture production while creating opportunities for employment, entrepreneurship, and sustainable livelihoods. The project is expected to be completed in early 2027.

In Bong County, Mr. Sele engaged young people at the Bong County Youth Office, where he explained the mandate of LACE and its role in supporting communities through infrastructure development and social protection interventions. He also provided an update on LACE’s proposed legislation before the Liberian Senate, noting that its passage would strengthen the Agency’s ability to mobilize additional resources, including Corporate Social Responsibility funding, for community development initiatives.

The delegation also visited Yeapolu Town, where beneficiaries reported that two hand pumps constructed through the project had significantly improved access to safe drinking water and reduced the need for residents to cross a busy roadway to fetch water.

In Rivercess County, Mr. Sele participated in monitoring activities, including engagements in Quito and Banana Town. He also assessed a 20-bedroom county guest house at the invitation of the Superintendent. Following the assessment, he committed LACE to supporting the renovation process and disclosed that the Agency’s architect and engineer would conduct a comprehensive technical assessment and prepare the necessary drawings and specifications. The renovated facility is expected to serve as accommodation for the President and other senior government officials during official visits to the county.

A total of 17,002 beneficiaries were enrolled into the RESLISE Program with all beneficiaries receiving a total of Five Million Nine Hundred Fifty Thousand Seven United States Dollars (US$5,950,700). 151 Communities were included with each beneficiary receiving US$350. Each beneficiary received a mobile phone and Sim Card. The beneficiaries received direct payments through mobile money with the sim card registered in their own name