Global Youth Coalition Member Feature: Varsay V. Balloh

1. Where are you connected right now? Tell us about the work you're doing.
I am involved in road safety awareness and training sessions as the county coordinator for the Alliance of Bickers Aimed Towards Education (ABATE OF LOFA COUNTY CHAPTER). I found myself among the marginalised of Liberia where things are difficult, especially for young people. I started this advocacy as a commercial motorcyclist on the streets until I was done with my high school and college education.

I have organised several road safety initiatives focused on advocacy, awareness, and training among private and commercial motorcyclists, car drivers, and other road users. These activities were done through football matches, public awareness campaigns through radio station programmes, and promotion through our Facebook page. We also led engagement activities with public and private sectors through the distribution of flyers and more.

We worked with the traffic division of the Liberia National Police and conducted several workshops for Motorcyclists, car drivers, and other road users.

2. How did you first get involved in road safety and how long have you been working in the road safety and sustainable mobility field? 

I got into road safety in 2014 when I started as a commercial motorcycle driver so I could earn money for my basic needs and school fees. While on the road, I served as Secretary General for Lawalazu Motorcyclists and later served as Secretary General for Liberia Motorcycle Transport Union (LMTU) Lofa County. I served as County Coordinator for the National Safety Partnership of Liberia (NASAPAL) and now I'm heading ABATE OF LOFA COUNTY CHAPTER and NASAPAL. 

My passion for road safety grew every day as I engaged with different road safety partners and other youth organisations.

3. Can you tell us a little about your area's road safety and sustainable mobility situation? 

In Liberia, we have poor road infrastructure systems. Motorcycles are the most common means of transportation in the nation’s capital including many rural areas in Lofa County. The roads become dangerous in both rainy and dry seasons. Many of our roads lack traffic signs and our motorists have limited road safety knowledge. Numerous road traffic crashes have led to multiple youth deaths, leaving many others disabled.

It’s sad to say but many government and civil society organisations are not putting a lot of time and resources into road safety efforts. This motivated me to organise other youths to educate our colleagues and others in the community about the importance of road safety.

4. Why do you think it's important to include young people in local and global road safety efforts?  

Youth make up the largest number of victims in road traffic crashes. They are also among the first groups that use the roads regularly. Due to this, it is important to involve young people in local and global road safety efforts. Of course, the need for road safety awareness and training programmes are a major necessity.

5. Why did you join the Global Youth Coalition for Road Safety? 

I decided to join the Global Youth Coalition for Road Safety because of my passion for road safety and I found that the Youth Coalition has great ways to raise awareness and train youth on road safety topics. I joined to increase my knowledge, improve partnerships, and make new connections. I also want to contribute my efforts in the road safety and sustainable mobility field.

6. What are your comments on the Youth Coalition? Its activities? Its opportunities? 

The Youth Coalition has been doing well for the youth community, both with national and international institutions. The YOURS Academy is productive and very impactful to the public. Most importantly, the Youth Coalition's efforts in bringing together young people from across the globe to exchange connections and knowledge are highly commendable.

7. Any messages for people who have not yet joined the coalition? 

I would like to encourage all youth, road users, and road safety institutions to join the Youth Coalition because they provide you with the best knowledge and opportunities to realise your dreams for road safety.