PHOTO: Emmanuel Lavala, his wife and two children
By Austin J.Wisseh, Harbel-Margibi County
On a daily basis, persons living with disabilities (PwDs) are roaming the streets of the Liberian capital, Monrovia and other parts begging for alms.
In Harbel City, Margibi County, efforts are underway to give physically challenged persons a new lease of life, as many of them lack proper shelter or a place of their own. This is where the country’s largest natural rubber plantation east of Monrovia.
Youth Empowerment for Leadership International (YELI), a non-for-profit organization has undertaking to secure half lot of land for a Liberian man with physical disability, Emmanuel Lavala and his family in the Cotton Tree area in lower Margibi County. The group says this is just the first in a series of projects in this direction.
At age 35, Emmanuel who has his wife and two children, has for years been sitting in a wheelchair in front of the Harbel Supermarket targeting handouts to get his daily bread.
The organization held an annual fund-raising program recently in Harbel City (May 4, 2022). According to Joseph Freeman, Head of Secretariat of YELI, the purchasing of the land for Emmanuel Lavala is part of a series of projects from the Harbel Supermarket courtyard to a home of his own and a site he can used to do his business and earn a living from to support himself and his family.
The Executive Director of YELI, Joseph Sheriff Kpangbala made the disclosure in an interview with the Voice of Firestone, prior to the official launch of the fund raiser.
He said his organization is committed to helping and empowering the needy, especially persons living with disabilities in the society.
“Being a blessing to Emmaneul gives us joy. There is a need for us to jon hands to uplift Mr. Lavala from where he is currently to a better place. Where Emmanuel stays is owned by the disabled community of lower Margibi and they they’re about to carry out reconstruction works on the property. Let us do this together. There is a joy that comes out of helping people,” Mr. Kpangbala explained.
The YELI NGO is targeting at least US$1,000.00 to purchase, survey and probate the land deed in the name of this fortunate physically challenged man, Emmanuel.
The Youth Empowerment For Leadership International has since made a US$600 cash payment for the land, looking forward surveying and probating the property subsequently.
Executive Director Kpangbala said during the payment: “The public did this with us. There is no way we would have achieved this without people who gave their money to do phase one of this project. We will announce the second phase. As such, we are still asking the public to be a part of this blessing. We need more contributions,” Mr. Kpangbla concluded.
Speaking on behalf of the landlord, Mother Marian J. Artis said that here are many people with who should help these persons with disabilities, but do not, “thank God it is your organization that has come to aid Emmanuel”.
With expression of joy on his face and emotion in his voice, the beneficiary, Emmanuel Lavala was immensely grateful for the gesture.
“It’s like daylight couldn’t come soon last night. I am very happy because this is an achievement I have never had in my life. Where life is not for me to find place to move; I have two children and my wife. It’s a blessing to meet this great organization—Youth Empowerment Leadership International, thank you. I am ready to learn things that will make me succeed.”
There is a United Nations Convention on the rights of persons with disabilities. Article 1 of the convention says:
“The purpose of the present Convention is to promote, protect and ensure the full and equal enjoyment of all human rights and fundamental freedoms by all persons with disabilities, and to promote respect for their inherent dignity. Persons with disabilities include those who have long-term physical, mental, intellectual or sensory impairments which in interaction with various barriers may hinder their full and effective participation in society on an equal basis with others.”