PHOTO: Thomas Laman
By Jenneh Kermokai
GRAND CAPE MOUNT, Liberia- Thomas Laman is among the list of Instructors at the Sinje Public High School who stands out tall for one reason: he’s lives with disabilities but is among one of the most qualified and experienced persons in the classroom in this town, which is situated over 100 kilometers west of Monrovia.
Age 52, Thomas has been in the classroom since 2005 and living with physical disability, which affects the pace of his mobility.
He says he has always defied the odd and has not let his fate be determined by his physical, despite the challenges it poses, as he reflects on the plight of so many members of his community. Some of them often flood street corners begging for alms with stretched hands interpreted by their slow but sorrowful voice saying, “brother and sister, please help me”.
Some of them who are visually impaired, are often accompanied by their innocent kids form part of the bandwagon of beggars under the guise of people living with disability.
But Mr. Laman, who is married and has six children, tells this Reporter that he has empowered himself because “I know bgging will not solve the problems.”
He is well respected by inhabitants of the town and farther afield as one of the experienced instructors.
In fact, he is not only actively involved in helping to improve his county’s education system, Thomas Laman is also playing a key role in uniting People with Disabilities and promoting their interest.
As the General Secretary of People Living with Disabilities in Grand Cape Mount County, he said he and other members are involved in several activities aim at attracting support to improve their lot. Like in other parts of Liberia, the needs of disabled people in this county are great.
When asked how he went into the classroom, the Sinje Public High School Instructed said after he obtained his high school education, he decided to go to Kakata Rural Teacher Training Institute (KRTTI) where he obtained a ‘C’ Certificate, after which he immediately started teaching many years ago. Thereafter in pursuit of higher education, he decided to enroll the David A. Starz Technical and Vocational College of the University of Liberia located in Grand Cape Mount County and graduated with an Associate of Arts (AA) degree in education in 2017/2018.
In a conversation with our reporter, Mr. Laman who is married with six children, two of whom are out of high school.
But thanks to his determination to press forward and pursue his education, Thomas explained that he and his family have been surviving over the years on his teaching career and not begging for bread because of his physical condition.
Today, he is constructing a 3-bedroom house for him and his family.
However, it has over the years not been all rosy. Teacher Laman outlines some challenges he faces, especially having to walk long distance from his house to the school every morning given his physical condition.
“Sometimes my foot hurts because of the distance, but what to do? I don’t want to be in the street begging and this is the job I have chosen to do,” he says.
Teacher Laman has been offering words of advice and courage to his fellow persons with disabilities throughout Liberia. He is calling on them to learn something that will help them and their families, emphasized again that, “begging will not solve their problems.” This Report was made possible with support from Internews Liberia Inclusive Media Project.