-Adheres to CRPD Convention by employing physically challenged UL Senior Student
By Mark N. Mengonfia
Members of the Liberian Legislature have begun adhering to the Convention on the Rights of Persons living with Disabilities (CRPD).
With that position now being asserted, the country’s lawmaking body under the stewardship of Speaker Dr. Bhofal Chambers has employed a physically challenged man, James Samuel Woods in the protocol department of the House of Representatives.
A father of one girl child, Mr. Woods two legs are amputated.
Article 27 of the convention of persons living with disabilities speaks of work and employment.
It states in part that “states Parties recognize the right of persons with disabilities to work, on an equal basis with others; this includes the right to the opportunity to gain a living by work freely chosen or accepted in a labor market and work environment that is open, inclusive and accessible to persons with disabilities. States Parties shall safeguard and promote the realization of the right to work.”
In keeping with the above article, the Chair on Rules and Order in consultation with the leadership of the House of Representatives employed Mr. James Samuel Woods as part of its work force to serve his country in that branch of government.
Mr. Woods is a student at the University of Liberia. For about 12 years, he has been at the Capitol Building begging for alms at the Capitol Building, seat of the Legislature. Lawmakers and people of goodwill who visit the area sometimes give him handouts to enable him complete his university studies.
Majoring in Accounting and minoring in Management, Mr. Woods told this Reporter in a jubilant mood during a recent interview: “thanks be to God, I will now be going to the bank too.”
According to him, for the past twelve years he has spent at the Capitol Building bagging the time has not been wasted, but was wisely used to enable him acquire an education at the University of Liberia.
The young physically challenged Liberian said because his two legs were amputated several years ago, he was compelled to go the Capitol to “lobby” for assistance for himself and his family in order to make ends meet.
Mr. Wood, who rides his wheelchair every morning from across the St. Paul Bridge to Capitol By-Pass in search, said “the money I lobby for was to cater to my wife, daughter and send myself to school” Woods indicated.
According to him, months ago there was a straight order to stop him from entering the premises of the Capitol Building. But he explained that he was rescued by the Chairperson on the House’s Committee on Rules, Order and Administration, Lofa County District #4 Representative who told the security guards to give him full access to the building.
“That order was strong and strange because that is the only place I had to look for my daily bread from and stopping was like taking everything from me,” he added.
Mr. Woods indicated that after a period of time, Representative Mariamu B. Fofana who Chairs Rules, Order and Administration promised to employ him “and I thank God that I am finally employed in the protocol department of the House of Representatives,” he said with smiles on his face.
James Woods is expecting to graduate next year or anytime soon if all goes as planned and his employment at the Capitol will just make life better for him and his family.
The physically challenged UL senior student lost two of his legs to traditional practices which he claimed was brought upon him by some people in his community. He claimed they envied him over “small, small things”.
Despite his disability. James has not stopped pursuing higher education.
He even has higher ambition to pursue a mister degree upon attaining his first degree from UL hopefully in 2019 or anytime soon.
With his interest in education, Mr. Woods has vowed not to give up the struggle, in order to ensure that his one and only girl child gets quality education.