A two-day mentorship program for young Liberians concluded in Paynesville, with over 500 participants receiving certificates. The program, founded by Karishma Pelham-Raad, aimed to equip young people with knowledge, leadership skills, and a stronger sense of responsibility. The closing ceremony at Paynesville City Hall was filled with excitement as participants celebrated their completion of the program. The event marked the end of Cohort One of the Karishma Pelham-Raad Mentorship Program.
The ceremony took an emotional turn when participants surprised Pelham-Raad with a traditional Liberian dress and a branded T-shirt, along with notes carrying their signatures and messages of appreciation. Pelham-Raad was moved to tears by the gesture, describing it as something she would treasure for the rest of her life. She plans to frame the notes and keep them in her living room, hoping to share the story with her grandchildren one day.
Pelham-Raad urged the young people not to leave the venue with certificates alone but to put into practice the lessons gained from the panelists and lecturers. She challenged them to make a difference and emphasized that mentorship should translate into action, service, and positive change in society. The journey, she said, does not end in the hall of Paynesville but rather beyond.
The emotional moment was followed by chanting, singing, and dancing from participants, transforming the closing ceremony into a celebration of the relationships built during the mentorship journey. Pelham-Raad reflected on the experience, saying that leadership is measured not only by titles or recognition but by the lives touched along the way.
The closing ceremony also recognized members of the program's executive team with Certificates of Appreciation for their commitment, teamwork, and contribution to the implementation of Cohort One. Pelham-Raad commended the team for helping transform the mentorship vision into a meaningful experience for hundreds of young Liberians.
Three participants were appointed as Ambassadors of Cohort One, expected to represent values including integrity, service, excellence, tolerance, resilience, and youth leadership. Pelham-Raad encouraged the ambassadors to use their new roles to inspire their peers, promote positive change, and serve as credible voices for young people.
As Cohort One came to a close, the young participants left with certificates in their hands, memories of two days of learning, and a new responsibility to turn the lessons they received into action. For the founder, the emotional farewell offered another reminder of why the mentorship journey began in the first place: to empower young people, inspire their futures, and help prepare a generation capable of leading with purpose.
Key points
- Karishma Pelham-Raad urged 500 young Liberians to lead with purpose and make a difference in their communities.
- The mentorship program aimed to equip young people with knowledge, leadership skills, and a stronger sense of responsibility.
- Three participants were appointed as Ambassadors of Cohort One, expected to promote positive change and serve as credible voices for young people.
