VASSAA (Voice Against Substance, Sexual Abuse and Addiction) is a youth-led, community-driven organization dedicated to preventing substance abuse and sexual exploitation among adolescents and young people in Liberia. Through advocacy, education, mentorship, and resilience-building programs, we empower the next generation to lead lives of purpose, dignity, and safety. Our team consists of passionate individuals committed to creating safe spaces for young people to grow, learn, and thrive. We work collaboratively with schools, communities, and partner organizations to build a future where every youth is free from abuse and exploitation.

The idea for VASSAA was born from firsthand experience. In 2019, founder Yidamno-Antonio Wesley interned in northeastern Liberia (Nimba County) and volunteered during the COVID-19 pandemic in Montserrado County. These engagements exposed him to the alarming rise in drug abuse and the availability of illegal narcotics within communities across both counties. Moved by the urgent need for intervention, Yidamno-Antonio, with the support of close friends, established VASSAA (Voice Against Substance, Sexual Abuse and Addiction) in 2020. From its inception, the organization has focused on prevention over rehabilitation, aiming to reduce youth exposure to drug abuse and sexual exploitation.

VASSAA champions the prevention of substance and sexual abuse among youth and adolescents through self-esteem building, education, and advocacy—prioritizing prevention over rehabilitation. We envision a world where young boys and girls grow unexposed to abuse, and a continent where youth and adolescents are empowered as valuable contributors and drivers of a prosperous Africa.