By Mark N. Mengonfia
A physically challenged senior student at the University of Liberia, James Samuel Woods Sr. is poised to getting his first job.
Student Woods has for about 12 years been at the Capitol Building begging Lawmakers and people of goodwill who visit the area for handouts to enable him complete his education at the state-owned university.
According to Woods, life has over the years not been easy with him and his kid. But said that by the grace of God, he made it thus far thanks to handouts.
In a rather joyous mood, Mr. Woods said: “thank God for Representative Mariamu Fofana who has promised to have me employed.”
The physically challenged college senior, displaying a letter from the office of Representative Mariamu Fofana said, “this is a letter from the chief of office staff of Hon. Fofana which has placed me on a standby employment opportunity at the central administration of the House of Representative.”
The communication from the office of the House of Representative Chair on Rules, Orders and Administration in part pleaded with the director of security at the House of Representatives to accord James Samuel Woods all necessary respect and to allow him in the premises of the House of Representatives.
Position of the communication said “therefore, by directive of my boss, Chair on Rules, Order and Administration, please allow him enter the premises of the Capitol Building at normal working hours until further notification,” the Chief of office Staff of Representative Mariamu Fonana, Musa B. Korleh said in the communication.
With the assurance from Representative Mariamu Fofana of Lofa District #4, the disabled student has expressed hope of completing his university studies and going for higher education as he has promised.
Commenting on how he get fees to pay his tuition, James explained that he often solicits handouts from lawmakers and some people of goodwill.
The physically challenged Liberian college student also decried constant protest at the University of Liberia campuses, something he said delay the pursuit of their education.
James, who is majoring in Accounting and minoring in Management, explained that he and other students who are faced with disabilities most of the times become direct victims of campus protests at UL.
“As you can see me in my wheelchair, when it is class time I have to pack it and crawl on the ground to go for classes. And during these protests we who cannot walk become direct victims because when abled body students are running, we are on the ground crawling making our way,” he said.
“Things are not easy for us living with disability, even the building are not disable friendly,” James further said.
Putting aside his own condition, the senior student indicated that he feels very sorry for one of his disabled colleague whom he called Ma-Kula.
He indicated that “as for me I can move by myself, crawl to go for my classes, but Ma-Kula cannot move, people have to help take her for classes,”
According to him, the present situation being faced by disabled persons is embarrassing. “We are forced to take the shame and embarrassment because after high school we want to advance ourselves, so we will bear every present condition on campus to learn; the UL administration need to provide the environment for us as well,” the UL disabled senior student said.
With his planning sheet in his hand, the physically challenged senior student said “I can smell graduation around me,”