By M. Neywon Mengonfia, Contributing Writer
It sounded like a fun, but it is a serious reality when this Reporter caught up with a blind barber during a visit at the Lion International computer Training for the blind in the Liberian capital, Monrovia.
In an interview, Rev. Wilfred Gewon claimed that he barbs like any other sighted persons, something that was soon confirmed after a couple of minutes.
Commenting on how he acquired his barbing skills, the Methodist preacher said that he was trained in South Africa several years ago.
He indicated that he and 13 other blind persons from 9 African Countries went for the training in 2013.
During the training, from the he emerged first among three finalists who were qualified by the white trainers in South Africa.
Mr. Gewon said that during his stay in that part of Africa, he observed that visually impaired South Africans were in close proximity to the international Airport demonstrating their barbing skills.
“The case is different in Liberia; when I returned from the training, I was interviewed on a Talk Show hosted by Moses Carter and I informed Liberians about the skills I have gotten from South Africa, many Liberians who called during that Talk Show did not trust in my ability to barb. Some said “who will allow this man to cut their ears” while others made lots of discouraging remarks about a blind man barbing”, Liberia’s first known Barber explained.
There is an old adage, “seeing is believing.” Many people in Liberia will not believe that a blind man can barb. In an effort to establish the fact that he does have the skills, Gewon later volunteered to give this Reporter a low and decent haircut.
As he took out his cutting tools, he explained the function of each of it and what style it cuts.
“I can cut the famous Akon DJ, Baloteli, while the other side is used to do low haircut and shaving of the ‘V’, Liberia’s blind Barber explained.
Apart from barbing, Gewon is a Pastor at one of the Methodist Churches in Liberia as well as a trained computer analyst who is currently managing the Lion International Computer Training for the Blind located on the Campus of the African Methodist Episcopal University (AMEU) at Camp Johnson Road.
He boasted of being multi-talented.
“One of the things I can make money from every day is to set internet on cellphones, this money is the easiest money I get from people who know my ability,” Rev. Gewon intoned.
Some are beginning to seen Rev. Gewon as one of Liberia’s ‘unsung’ heroes ,who needs to be given support to reach his full potentials in life.
This visually impaired Barb now says plans to conduct a training program for some blind Liberians who have interest in barbing like him. But Gewon hopes he can get the support of government and charity groups, something that has not been forthcoming since his return from South Africa.
The “unsung hero” says he , is eager to impart his knowledge and skills to his fellow blind compatriots, in order to improve their lives.
“I just do not want this training to leave in me until one day when I die. I want to impact the training to other blind people. If you help with some of the tools I need, I will appreciate it very well. And I will be happy if you can also provide a training center for us. I can be reached on 0777551066 or visit the Lion International Computer Training for the Blind located on the Campus of the African Methodist Episcopal University on Camp Johnson Road,” Rev. Gewon pleaded with the public.