Abel Williams Cheayan

Abel Williams Cheayan has five years of experience working with youth on environment and sustainable development issues, including aid provision to war affected orphans and widows. Abel Williams Cheayan is President of the Natural Resources Research Initiative (NRRI). NRRI is involve in negotiation with governments and major actors for the inclusion of young people into the decision making process of Liberia’s natural resources to prevent potential conflicts and associated environmental human rights abuses. Abel is an orphan affected by the 14 years of civil conflict in Liberia(Africa). In 2008, he founded Guardian Care to provide aid to orphans and widows. As Founder/CEO of Guardian Care, he has provided primary education to children and empowered single mothers and youth to be active in small and sustainable agriculture activities. He is currently studying for his bachelor’s degree at the St. Clement University College majoring in Petroleum Engineering. After completing the Washington Fellowship program, he plans to provide basic civic leadership workshop training to youth, facilitate youth involvement into the natural resources decision making process at the national level in Liberia, and empower youth through sustainable agriculture activities as a means of creating green jobs.