-Their umbrella group sends out SOS call
By Tokpa Tarnue- tarnue82@gmail.com
VOINJAMA, Liberia-Visually impaired persons under the banner “Lofa Untied Blind Association of Liberia” are appealing to the government, humanitarian organizations and philanthropists to urgently come to their aid.
The plight of scores of visually impaired persons across Liberia’s northwestern Lofa County is dire.
And at a time when the abled body Liberian citizens are can barely get a square-meal a day due to the ongoing economic meltdown, one can only image how difficult it would be for people with disabilities.
According to the president of the group, Mr. Jallah Flomo, since their establishment few years ago, they have been faced with numerous challenges, ranging from the poor living condition, poor condition of their ranted office, lack of money to pay rant and carry out other activities in the county, in order to cater to the welfare of visually impaired people.
“My brother, we can be in here and when there is rain, all we can fell is the water that sometimes reach as fair as our mattresses,” Mr, Flomo said adding, “just emerging as a blind person how will get out?”
Chairman Flomo disclosed that their organization currently a total of 52 members comprising men, women including children.
He said they have not been able to settle their rental obligation for their dilapidated office building for the past one year, which is a serious constraint for them at the moment.
“If we can have someone to help us to renovate this structure and take care of the rant with our land lord, we will be glade or even if we are provided with another structure we will also be grateful,” the head of the visually impaired group in Lofa explained.
Adopted and proclaimed by General Assembly resolution 61/106) of 13 December 2006, the UN Convention on the right of persons with disabilities calls for the promotion, protection and ensuring 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.
Mr. Flomo said that in April of this year, they conducted a mobility training for their members to help them move around by themselves. And they have also planned to start a blind school by the year 2020, but can only do that when the support is provided them.
In order to achieve this, he said they need urgent support, thus sending out an SOS call for help.
According to Chairman Flomo, those wanting to provide them with ever support can contact them through +231-0886355590 /+231-0770306393 / +231-0775058178 or 0888335050