With funding from the United Nations Fund for Population Activities (UNFPA), the Youth Department of the National Union of Organizations of the Disabled (NUOD) of Liberia has launched a digital education project for Liberian youths living with disabilities.
Founded on the 25th of October 25, 2020, NUOD is an independent civil society umbrella body representing individual disabled persons and all in independent Organizations of Persons with Disabilities (OPWD) or Disabled People’s Organizations (DPOs) across Liberia’s 15 Counties. These OPWDs and DPos are not covered under the Government’s direct support or welfare program.
The President of NUOD is Pastor Peter B.K. Flomo (visually impaired)
The launch was held on the 6th of November, 2024.
The launching venue was the Peace Hub, owned by the West Africans Network for Peacebuilding (WANEP), a body of Liberian praying women, adjacent to the Invincible Park in the Fish Market community of Sinkor, Monrovia.
The Theme of the Project is: “Bridging the Gap for Persons with Disabilities”
Madam Bernice Freeman, Coordinator of WANEP, was assigned to the “Welcome Remarks” segment of the event.
“WANEP is a body of women who prayed during Liberia’s civil war, for the war to end. The war ended over 20 years ago, but we are still praying for peace to reign in post-war Liberia,” Madam Freeman announced to the body disabled people and non-disabled invited guests.
Mr. Lahai J. Gotolo (visually impaired), NUOD’s Youth Coordinator, gave the Overview of the Project.
“NUOD got U.S 5,200 from UNFPA to undertake this project, based on NUOD’s outstanding record of empowering disabled youths in Liberia. One of the objectives of this project the digital skills of the disabled youths will be promoted online, and in line with domestic laws. Publicity will be done over Radio stations, and training sessions will be done in coming weeks and months,” he said.
Mr. Melvin Harding (visually impaired), NUOD’s Vice President for Operations, thanked UNFPA for funding the project.
“NUOD’s youths will bring other disabled youths from other disabled people’s organizations to benefit from this project. Thank you to NUOD’s youths for being far-sighted enough to attract this funding,” the VPO said.
The next speaker was Mr. Claudius Thompson, Coordinator of the Young People’s Initiative (YPI) Program of the Young Men’s Christian Association (YMCA)
He stressed the importance of “Technology” as a vehicle in enhancing actions of persons with disabilities.
“Digital literacy breaks physical barriers for persons with disabilities. Digital empowerment, through education, is career development. The YMCA Family is a full-fledged supporter of this project to be implemented by NUOD, he said.”
Mr. Thompson concluded his speech with his knowledge of how digital literacy has economically transformed the lives of Nigerians and Ghanaians.
“I had lived in each of these Countries,” he said.
The Executive Secretary of the National Commission on Disabilities (NCD), directly supported by the Government of Liberia, Madam Rose B. Dargbe (wheelchair-mobile) declared: “Technology has advanced, but our community, of persons with disabilities, is left behind.”
NUOD’s Youth Coordinator, Lahai J. Gotolo, performed a “symbolic launch”, due to the absence of UNFPA (sponsor of the Project) this segment was reserved for.
“Goal number 4 of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals states: ‘Leaving No One Behind’” he said verbatim, after the symbolic launch.
The program ended with benediction by Madam Rose W. Teah (crutches-mobile), NUOD’s National Treasurer.
Mr. James Abraham Kiawu (visually impaired), NUOD’s National Chaplain, served as the Master of Ceremony.
In an exclusive interview with this writer before the commencement of launch, he explained: “Another component of this project is media activities. This includes: focusing on NUOD’s peace building awareness, the importance of digital skills for all Liberian youths with disabilities, advocacy, and training on the National Youth Policy. The project will be monitored by the Young men’s Christian Association, or YMCA, UNFPA’s partner on this project in Liberia.”
