PHOTO: Elderly woman, Madam Yonkogjay Karnga makes broom out of palm branches just to eke out a living
By King Brown,Sarwahking@gmail.com
BUCHANAN, Liberia- A 73-year-old visually impaired woman has cried out for help to the Liberian government, philanthropists and other goodwill individuals for help.
Madam Yonkonjay Kanrga is in dying need of food and medical care.
She told this Reporter here in this port city recently that her two children and husband have pre-deceased her. In addition to that, she ist visually impaired, leaving her virtually alone to fend for herself on a daily basis.
In a sad tone, she told this reported in the southern county of Grand Bassa that her legs are heavy making it difficult for her to walk while her hands are weak. Apart from that, she also said she is suffering from severe pain and cold but there is no means to get treatment.
Explaining her unpleasant situation, Oldma Yonkonjay said that she also lacks conducive shelter.
In tears, she revealed that as soon as she got blind, members of her family have abandoned her about seven years ago, leaving her very vulnerable in the society.
Oldma Youkonjay mentioned that her only means of survival is using the palm leaves to fix broom, which she sells 30 Liberian Dollars every Saturday at the Buchanan market to survive.
“I fix broom and sell it every Saturday just to survival. My hands are weak, so I fix only one every day. Whole day I fix only one and sell it for $30 Liberian dollars. When I sell the one broom for $30 Liberian dollar, I keep the money and fix another one the next day, sell it before I can buy food to eat”.
However, she stopped fixing the broom for some time now due to her health condition.
The visually impaired woman lives at the home of the Christian Association of the Blind in the Four Houses Community in Buchanan and usually begs for handouts to survive.
Meanwhile old lady Youkonjay Kanrga has restated her call on the Liberian government, local and international NGOs as well as other philanthropists to urgently come to her aid.