Cestos City, Rivercess County – In a spirited ceremony that drew together residents, local leaders, educators, and well-wishers, former Public Works Minister Madam Ruth Coker Collins officially launched the Tabitha Vocational Training Institute (TVTI) over the weekend—marking a significant step toward youth and women’s empowerment in one of Liberia’s most underserved counties.
The event, held at the Green Pasture School facility in Cestos City, was not just the opening of a school—it was the unveiling of a vision. One driven by the Ruth Coker-Collins Development Foundation, the institute’s operator and chief sponsor.
“Today marks the beginning of a new chapter in the life of our people,” declared Madam Coker Collins during the launch. “The cries of the people of Rivercess have been heard. This school is here to bridge the gap between potential and productivity, between dreams and achievement.”
TVTI will provide free, five-month technical training in practical areas such as electricity, plumbing, catering, pastry making, hairdressing, and makeup artistry. Two training cycles will be offered each year, with the Foundation shouldering the full operational cost—estimated at LR$1.4 million annually.
During the first phase, professional trainers from Monrovia will lead the courses. The long-term plan, however, is to identify and mentor local talent who will eventually take over instructional duties, ensuring sustainability and community ownership.
Coker Collins noted the timely alignment of this initiative with national development, particularly the expansion of electricity in the region. “The Liberia Electricity Corporation is extending its services to Cestos. Yarkpa Town already has power. But do we have the skilled manpower to sustain it? This school is here to answer that question.”
The launch of TVTI is only one part of the Foundation’s broader development agenda. Through ongoing partnerships with local women’s groups, the organization has already implemented village savings programs that have empowered thousands of women economically.
“Our mission is clear: to train 6,000 people over the next five years with skills that meet the needs of today’s job market,” Madam Coker Collins emphasized. “We’re not asking what Rivercess can do for us—we’re asking what we can do for Rivercess.”
She called the Tabitha Vocational Institute “not just a training center, but a movement”—a movement rooted in empowerment, self-reliance, and long-term transformation.
The former minister expressed appreciation to the local authorities and the Green Pasture School Facility for supporting the initiative and called on all residents to seize the opportunity.
“As classes begin in the coming days, I wish all our students a productive and inspiring journey. TVTI is your space to grow, to learn, and to change your story.”
