Leonard Cheshire Disability supported two members of the Young Voices group in Freetown and Sierra Leone to attend the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa-UNECA/LCD Conference in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Daintowon, a 25-years old participant, in her second year studying Accounting/Management at the University of Liberia, revealed her experience from the conference as follows:

“This is the first time in my life flying in an aeroplane. I had the opportunity to interact with different countries and for the first time, I forgot about my disability. I learnt how to use a video camera and I am confident to send out films on disability in Liberia. I thank God and Leonard Cheshire Disability for this great opportunity”.

Daintowon’s comment shows that she now has confidence to interact with others and feel dignified through the support of Leonard Cheshire Disability.
 

Through the sponsorship from Leonard Cheshire Disability, a one-day workshop on the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities has been held for 22 disabled young voices from Montserrado County in Liberia.

The President of the National Union of Disabled Organisations and facilitator at the workshop, Mr. Beyan Kota said, ‘disabled people are still scattered around the country uncared for and experience discriminations in education, health and other basic social services’.

Participants at the workshop called on the National Legislature to ratify the Disabled Peoples’ Act that is before the house.

They also appealed to the Liberian Government and the International Community to assist them with publication materials on the UN Convention and to conduct a national census on people with disabilities in the country for effective planning and resource allocation as a matter of urgency.

The chairperson of the Board of Directors of the Antoinette Tubman Cheshire Home, Mrs. Rita Wallwitz advised the participants to take advantage of the knowledge gained during the workshop.