GBARNGA, Bong County – A 29-year-old visually impaired resident of Gbarnga, Peter Kollie, is appealing to humanitarian organizations, government officials, and well-meaning individuals to support his urgent medical treatment, either in Liberia or abroad.
In an interview with our reporter, Kollie recounted that his ordeal began in 2019, just weeks after he was announced as Bong County’s sole winner of the United States Diversity Visa (DV) Lottery Program for that year.
According to him, shortly after beginning the processing of his travel documents to the United States, he started experiencing severe vision loss and internal pain. What began as a promising opportunity soon turned into a devastating health crisis.
Kollie said his family initially sought help from a nearby traditional herbalist, but his condition did not improve. He was later taken to Phebe Hospital in Suakoko District, where medical doctors diagnosed him with severe eye pressure and related complications. Due to the seriousness of his condition, he was referred to Ganta United Methodist Hospital for advanced examination and treatment.
However, from 2019 to present, Kollie has been unable to seek further medical attention, including at the referral hospital in Ganta. His worsening condition also prevented him from traveling to the United States to pursue the opportunity he had worked hard to achieve.
Now living with visual impairment, Kollie is calling on Bong County authorities — including Senators Prince Kermue Moye Sr., Johnny K. Kpehe, members of the county’s Legislative Caucus, and the county administration — to assist him in obtaining the medical care he urgently needs.
Reflecting on his past, Kollie spoke emotionally about his high school days and youthful aspirations. He was an active soccer player and a student in the 11th grade at Nathaniel Varney Massaquio High School before he was forced to drop out in 2019 due to his deteriorating eyesight.
Despite his challenges, Kollie remains hopeful that with proper medical treatment, his vision can be restored and he can resume his education and rebuild his dreams.
“I still believe that if I can get the right medical help, I will see again and continue my schooling,” he said. He is therefore appealing to individuals and institutions to come to his aid and help change the course of his life. For inquiry or help, you can contact Peter Kollie on: +231888957869/777556891
