Thomas Tamba Bundoo (far right) with young members of his community.
Drug addiction, rape, and teenage pregnancy can derail a young person’s promising future. All three have resounding effects on the individual and their families and communities — from physical and psychological impacts to employment and economic vulnerabilities. Thomas Tamba Bundoo works to reach young people before the impacts become a reality in their lives.
He tackles these difficult conversations head-on by organizing Community Youth Dialogues throughout his home country of Liberia. These discussions allow youth to learn from experts, ask candid questions and share perspectives with peers.
“Dwellers of local communities might not have the opportunity to get on social media, radio, newspaper and or write to inform the government and relevant stakeholders about issues that are affecting them. Our community dialogue provides the space for the voices of the most affected to be heard … Our goal is to help ensure that every young person is an ASSET and not liability,” Thomas says.
He is the founder and executive director of the nonprofit Hope for Young People Incorporated, a nonpolitical organization focused on securing the most readily available aid for young people in education, healthcare, social welfare, and advocacy.
(Above) Thomas speaks with young people in a local neighborhood.
“My organization does not have the financial ability to provide resources for teenage mothers. We help to lobby for them to be trained with life skills and provide mentorship programs for them,” Thomas says, adding that his work is not just designed for young women.
Men have been receptive to taking part in dialogue as well. “On some occasions men even suggested that we discuss the entire Sexual and Gender Based Violence (SGBV) [spectrum], instead of it being only the aspect of rape, to have local community dwellers informed about SGBV. Some expressed excitement and expectations of seeing a gender equal society,” Thomas adds.
His goal as a YouthLead Ambassador is to help young people find relevant opportunities and to make the platform more valuable in Liberia.
