PHOTO: Some of the struggling disabled people
By Alfred Kollie, alfredkolliejr92@gmail.com
In the wake of the State of Emergency and the stay at home continues, people living with various forms of disabilities in Monrovia continue to struggle for their existence in such a crisis in the country.
In Liberia, being disabled and growing old come with a worry. They wonder who will take care of you in post-war Liberia, where even family and close relatives can reject such person based on their condition.
Old folks and disabled persons are often forced to beg for food in the streets due to lack of programs either by government or Private Institutions that will regularly provide care and support for them.
During normal times, many of them are often seen in streets corner begging for handout or daily bread as a means of survival.
Speaking Tuesday, April 14, 2020 in an interview in Monrovia, people living with disabilities particularly those in the streets noted that government is yet to identify with them since they announced the stay at home action, something that is causing serious problem for their subsistence.
Alphonso Koiwu who is believed to be in his early 60s told reporter that it is unbearable seen people living with disability regularly in the streets asking for support.
‘’ I have been rejected by society especially by President Weah whom I voted during the election, but now they just abandon me in this crisis,’’ Mr. Koiwu said.
‘’The disabled people want to leave the streets, it is not good for us but again this place is our office, when we done come here, we can eat, so I want government take care of us by providing food, health and other things so that we ourselves can survive,’’ he added.
For Mr. Alphonso Koiwu, who is physically challenged, the 14-days Stay at home may cause harm if government fails to intervene by providing them food.
Madam Esther Garnue, who is believed to be in her 60s, told this news outlet that her husband die during Liberia’s civil war and has no support for her five children but has become a beggar Every day. Three of her children walk her around the city or some time sit in front of a bank, super markets and various junctions in Monrovia begging for moneys.
Mother Garnue, a visually impaired who came from Nimba County. told this Reporter that since the death of her husband, streets begging has been her job over a long period to sustained her children in such condition.
‘’Da here where I can come, when day break, that here I can come to look for food because me I done get anybody to help me and my children. This is my farm and this is my office , I come here every day with my children looking for food by asking good people and God fearing individuals to help us survival.’’ she said.
Madam Garnue explained that things are getting harder on the daily basic noting that business is not as usual. ‘’The begging now that someday good and someday bad like yesterday Monday, five dollar I na get I went home empty’’.
Mr. Nathaniel Wleh, who live in Montserrado County district 10, expressed disappointment over the form and manner in wish people living with disabilities are treated by officials.
Mr. Wleh observed that with disabilities are often left out making specific reference of the fight against COVID-19 leaving them out in food and other items distribution in the district and Country at large.
‘’we that live in the community, when something come they done know us but when time for vote, is the time they can look for us, they have forgetting about us,’’ Mr. Wleh explained.
According to him, many of them are surviving by the grace of God and by other Christians and other individuals passing by.
They are appealing to government and other individuals to help them especially in such a difficult crisis.
According to most of them, they are tire and want to leave the streets.