By Alfred Kollie, alfredkolliejr92@gmail.com
After several cries for help by older folks, the physically challenged and other underprivileged Liberians going through serious hardships due to ongoing stay-home mandate under the State of Emergency, some relief have now been coming their way.
People living with disabilities, including older folks, have begun benefiting from relief aid from government, charitable organizations like the Falswar International Charity Incorporated and other humanitarians in the Country.
As the COVID-19 emergency continues, people living with all forms of disabilities in Monrovia have been finding it difficult to even get one meal a day, as they struggle for existence on a daily basis.
Since the State of Emergency was declared last month (April), people living with disabilities have taken to the various media outlets calling for food assistance and other anti-coronavirus materials, in order to follow health protocols while at homes.
COVID-19 in Liberia presents risks of infection and death for many people with disabilities in Monrovia and other parts of the country.
They are among the most marginalized and stigmatized even under normal circumstances.
They live on a daily basis at the mercy of individuals with good will who give them alms, including food.
Against this backdrop, the Falswar International Charity Incorporated on April 29, 2020 began the distribution of food to over hundred underprivileged Liberia in Monrovia.
The Falswar International Charity Incorporated is a nonprofit charity group founded by Liberians based in the United States of America aimed at helping vulnerable in Liberia and other parts of the World.
According to the group, the over hundred individuals who benefited from the donation were selected from across Montserrado County after their assessment in several communities.
Speaking recently during the distribution, Falswar International Charity Executive Director Joseph Edzii noted that the amount which is value over thousand united states dollars was donated by its members and executives based in the united states of America.
‘’The contribution was made possible by Liberians in the United States and other partners to help Liberians who cannot afford in these health crisis in the country,’’ Edzii said.
According to Mr. Edzii, the charity donation is intended to put smile on the faces of vulnerable Liberians in these difficult health crises in Liberia and the world at large.
‘’ Falswar International Charity will be doing this until we cover the entire country and someday extend our activities in other countries but we what to impact our society first which is our focus for now,’’ Mr. Edzii explained.
Receiving the rice, a 65-year-old woman, Tete B. Moore, one of the beneficiaries thanked the organization for identifying with them in such a difficult health crisis.
‘’I feel happy, I am so glad, I done even know what to say but all I can say is, a big thank you to the organization for helping me and my children.”
Madam Moore explained that the donation came as a surprise. But she called on government and other good will individuals to always identify with them in difficult times and in crisis, noting that the donation is the first received since the health crisis.
Amelia Gbayou, a resident of Airfield Community, upon receiving the rice commended the Charity group.
‘’I am happy ooo my son, I tell the people a big thank you for giving me this rice, me and children will survival on it now while we are at home,’’ Madam Gbayou noted.
Jerry S. Dowan, a visually impaired believed to be age 20, expressed joy upon receiving rice.
‘’Well, I just one to be thankful to this group for living by their words because we observed on several occasion people put our names down and play fun out of us but for this group, I pray for God to bless them more and more,” Jerry said
According to Dowan, he is surviving by begging in the streets on the daily basis as a result of lack of support from family and government.
‘’Let government think about us and take us from the streets because some of us don’t have eye and hand to survive, we just living by the grace of God,’’ the visually impaired Liberian youth concluded.
People living with disabilities want the Liberian government to make extra efforts to protect their rights and the rights of all Liberians, in responding to the ongoing Coronavirus health crisis in the country.