But They Need Assistance From Gov’t And Development Partners

PHOTO: T. Solopia Messahn, local Coordinator of the Christian Association of the Blind (CAB)

Story Reported by Melvin L. Suah, Radio Nimba and member, Journalists Network on Disability Reporting

NINMBA COUNTY, Liberia- Members of the local chapter of the Christian Association of the Blind (CAB) in Sanniquellie city here in this northeastern county have embarked on a farming project to improve their livelihoods. It is a cassava farm located about one kilometer away from Sanniquellie.

Speaking when the Reporter visited the farm recently, the Coordinator of the CAB Nimba Chapter Mr. T. Solopia Messahn said the idea to carry out the farming project was initiated by themselves to enhance self-empowerment and sustainability.

“We asked the local authority of the county for land for our project. They wasted no time in responding to our request and we want to be grateful to them,” Mr. Messahn added.

Their deeds in starting a farm prove the assertion of persons with disabilities (PwDs) that “disability is not inability”, as they themselves cleared the plot of land the cassava has been planted. “We did the brushing by ourselves. There are few of our members who are partially sighted. They identified the cite after the land was given by the local authority,” the CAB Coordinator noted.

Mr. Messahn praised members of the group for demonstrating unity and commitment in the implementation of the project.

“Our members have been supportive. They show up on time during working schedules. They voluntarily contributed cassava sticks and other materials needed for the farming project,” he pointed out.

CAB regular farming activities

CAB members residing in Sanniquellie and surrounding communities have been undertaking agriculture projects for the past two years.

“The first time we planted gingers and cassava. Unfortunately, the Gingers was stolen by criminals, and we did not benefit anything, he lamented. This time around, we have asked for assistance from securities at the Liberia Water and Sewer facilities to help us in looking after our farm,” the CAB Coordinator explained.

According to Mr. Messahn, few community people and NGO’s have been contributing to the project through the donations of cash and essential materials. He named the Jungle Water Group of Investment (JWGI), Agriculture Relief Services (ARS), New Africa Research Development Agency (NARDA) and AIFO Liberia as those major partners.

The visually impaired in Nimba County are grateful to those organizations for fully supporting our projects, “theyhelped us with Cutlasses, Rain gears, Hooks, Rakes and some of them little finances,” he told this Reporter.

Proceeds from the farm will be sold, and the money used to improve the living conditions of members, and the CAB Coordinator said, “we will eat some of the cassava. But we will also sell some and keep the money in the bank to take care of our members”.

Despite the help given by some partners and organizations, Mr. Messahn has stressed the need for more philanthropics and other development group to come to their aid.

More development support needed

The CAB Nimba chapter is said to be expanding its operations to rural Nimba County. Mr. Messahn disclosed that they have opened sub-branch in Gbeyi Tiapa and intend to extend to other parts of the county. Considering the size and population of Nimba, CAB plans to reach out to all parts of the county. There are several visually impaired and people with other forms of disabilities who are cut off from the organization.

“We want to conduct an outreach across the county and incorporate all of them, the CAB local coordinator told journalist. We do not want visually impaired and people with other forms of disabilities to feel that life is over for them. When we come together at our weekly meeting at our headquarters in Sanniquellie, we share fun together and merry make. It makes us feel that we have hope and found part of the society,” Mr. Messahn added.

The Local CAB Coordinator is encouraging people living with disabilities, especially the visually impaired to visit their headquarters in Sanniquellie and gain membership, saying that gone are the days disabled people were considered not important in the society. Our current membership is below 150.

“We want to see the inclusion of every visually impaired person into the CAB. Family members should not hide them. It makes them to feel like life is over,” he stressed.

Special appeal to Pres. Boakai and Nimba Lawmakers

Mr. Messahn is meanwhile, calling for support towards his musical dream. Despite playing a leadership role, the CAB local coordinator is a musician. His latest song featured one of his members.

The music produced in one of the local dialects of Nimba (Mano) appealed to citizens to respect people living with disabilities.

“We are calling on the President, Amb. Joseph Nyumah Boakai and Vice President Jeremiah Koung to support us. They are our leaders. We are also calling on Senators Prince Johnson and Nya Twayen to support us,” the CAB Coordinator stated.

Mr. Messahn explained that they need instruments to enable them take their message to most of the people of Nimba and Liberia at large.

The Christian Association of the Blind (CAB) Coordinator noted that AIFO Liberia remains its biggest partner and expressed gratitude to the organization “for their continuous investment in the lives of people living with disabilities”.