As Liberia prepares to celebrate its 178th Independence Day, not everyone will mark the occasion with fanfare and fireworks.
For many in our disabled and disadvantaged communities, daily life is a struggle-one defined by poverty, neglect, and systemic exclusion.
But on Thursday, July 24, 2025, at Vamoma House in Monrovia, a glimmer of hope arrived in the form of compassion.
Kanue Meme Teegwiah-Kpao, CEO of the Kast Foundation, through her dedicated team, delivered essential food items and toiletries to vulnerable and disabled men and women-a gesture that spoke volumes.
Among the donated items were rice, cooking oil, tissue, and Vita-everyday necessities to many, but for those living with disability and hardship, these are lifelines.
“These are not just goods,” one recipient said. “These are reminders that we are seen, that we matter.”
This act of giving wasn’t about grandstanding. It was about restoring comfort and dignity, two things that many in these communities are systematically denied.
The Daily Reality
Across Liberia, people living with disabilities continue to face enormous barriers. Access to healthcare is limited. Job opportunities are virtually nonexistent.
Discrimination is routine. And social services-when available at all are often underfunded and inaccessible.
It is not uncommon for disabled individuals to be left to beg on the streets, treated as burdens rather than human beings deserving of opportunity and care.
The public infrastructure-from roads to public buildings- remains mostly inaccessible. In education, disabled children are often left behind, and in politics, their voices are rarely heard.
Many live without stable shelter, consistent food, or even the most basic sanitation, making them among the most vulnerable to disease, abuse, and neglect. It is in this painful context that the Kast Foundation’s act of charity shines even more brightly.
A Message of Love and Inclusion
“This is a powerful reminder that a NOBODY is SOMEBODY,” said Teegwiah-Kpao. “We must always remember that dignity is a right, not a privilege.”
Her message is clear: while we celebrate our national independence, let us not forget those who are still fighting for personal freedom-freedom from poverty, invisibility, and marginalization.
The donation may not change the entire system, but it symbolizes something deeper: the value of empathy, and the urgent need for collective responsibility.
A Call to Government and Society
While acts of generosity like this are heartwarming and necessary, they are not a substitute for institutional change. The government must do more.
We call on the Government of Liberia to:
Increase budgetary support for disability services and social welfare programs
Enforce existing disability rights laws and ensure accessibility in public spaces
Invest in inclusive education, healthcare, and employment programs
Partner with local organizations like the Kast Foundation to reach vulnerable populations
Disability is not inability-but neglect is inexcusable.
This July 26th, let our celebrations be matched by reflection. Let our patriotism include the push for a Liberia where no one is left behind.
