By Morlu F. Freeman Sr.
(Lofa County)
Voices from the disabled community rang out across Voinjama City as individuals living with disabilities shared powerful testimonies of perseverance, pain, and hope, urging the Liberian government and society to embrace true inclusiveness.
Gathered in the heart of Lofa County, participants spoke candidly about the social and economic hardships they face daily. The session highlighted the need for stronger policy implementation, community awareness, and targeted support to improve the quality of life for people with disabilities.
Among the speakers was Akoi M. Ballah, a resident of New Life Community, who became physically disabled in 2010 following a serious illness. Despite the adversity, Akoi graduated from high school in 2021. He shared his struggles with social isolation and the lack of support within Liberiaโs educational system.
“Many of us feel rejected,” he said, calling on the government to enforce laws aligned with the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD).
Zazay Kollie, who lives with both physical and visual impairments, painted a picture of resilience in the face of overwhelming odds. Having lost his sight in 2021, Zazay continues to farm cassava to support his family, many of whom are also visually impaired. He decried the communityโs indifference, urging for inclusion and funding of community-led projects to empower disabled persons.
Tragedy struck Blame Kollie in 2022 when an accident led to the loss of his sight. He recounted how support from the Lofa United Blind Association and enrollment in a blind institute offered him a lifeline. Blame emphasized urgent needs such as food, bedding, clean water, and solar energy to sustain daily living.
Isaac S. J. Sorieba Sr., who mysteriously lost his sight in 2022, also took the floor. Despite his blindness, Isaac continues to manage a small farm with the help of his family. Grateful for some assistance, including that from Hon. Cyrus, Isaac still called for greater government involvement in covering school fees for children with disabilities and providing agricultural and business support to enable self-reliance.
The common theme among all speakers was the demand for systemic change not charity, but inclusion. They appealed for the government to not only recognize their rights but to act on them, ensuring that every citizen, regardless of physical ability, has access to education, healthcare, employment, and dignity.
As Liberia continues to rebuild and reshape its social structures, the voices from Voinjama serve as a poignant reminder: inclusiveness is not optional it is a right. Real change will require not only policy enforcement but also community engagement and empathy.
โWe are not asking for sympathy,โ Akoi Ballah concluded. โWe are demanding equality.โ
