By Christian Appleton
Pleebo, Maryland County – In a move aimed at supporting underprivileged students during the academic break, Maryland County Labor Commissioner, Hon. Thomas Kuma, has launched a month-long Vacation Job Program. This initiative is a collaboration with local businesses and humanitarian partners.
In an exclusive interview with GNN, Commissioner Kuma stated that the program targets public school students who are 18 and older, with a focus on those most in need. The initiative was inspired by Labor Minister Hon. Cooper Kruah’s vision for county labor offices to provide temporary employment opportunities for deserving students.
“The Minister of Labor is farsighted and committed to improving the labor system,” Commissioner Kuma said. “We received instructions to initiate vacation jobs for school-going kids, and we’re proud to have started this in Maryland County.”
Students were required to present their most recent semester grade cards and valid school ID cards to apply. The program initially aimed to recruit 100 students, but the number grew to 119 students in Harper City alone.
Currently, the initiative is limited to Pleebo and Harper, but the commissioner assured that plans are underway to expand it to other parts of the county in the coming months, pending negotiations with additional partners.
Commissioner Kuma explained that the selected students will be assigned to various local businesses, city corporations, and other designated job sites. Their compensation will be provided by the hosting businesses and humanitarian partners.
In a particularly promising development, some business owners have also agreed to sponsor the tuition fees of certain students for the upcoming 2025/2026 academic year, demonstrating a deeper commitment to the community. “This program is not just about giving students something to do for a month,” Kuma emphasized. “It’s about supporting their long-term educational journey.”
The Vacation Job Program is set to run from August to September 2025. Commissioner Kuma has pledged that the process will be closely monitored to ensure transparency and accountability. “We are committed to a transparent process,” he said. “Our common goal is to work together for the betterment of Liberia.”
The initiative has been widely praised by residents and community leaders as a timely intervention to empower youth, ease financial burdens on families, and promote social responsibility among businesses.
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