PAYNESVILLE – It was a moment of joy for scores of parents of children born with disabilities—both physical and intellectual—when the Children Educational and Development Support-Liberia (CEDS-Liberia) signed three separate memoranda of understanding with them and the management of James N. David Jr. Memorial Hospital in Nezoe, Paynesville.
CEDS-Liberia, through these agreements, committed to supporting the children with their medical bills, feeding, clothing, recreation, and other forms of assistance. The hospital will provide the necessary medical services to children seeking treatment there.
Speaking during the signing ceremony on Thursday, May 9, Harris Kpardeh, CEDS Country Coordinator, said the agreements with the parents and the hospital were intended to strengthen the organization’s commitment to supporting children born with special needs and to hold all parties accountable in providing basic support to the children.
CEDS-Liberia, he said, was founded in 2018 by the current CEO, Alexis Worji, and his wife, who are based in the United States, to support children born with disabilities who are often neglected by their parents and society.
The government of Liberia and its partners, through the National Commission on Disabilities, have been providing some forms of assistance to people living with disabilities, including those with visual and hearing impairments and other physical disabilities. However, children born with disabilities—physical and intellectual, such as Down syndrome, autism, and cerebral palsy—are often considered to be cursed or victims of witchcraft. As a result, they face rejection from family members or their communities, with babies in these conditions often being abandoned at hospitals or thrown into the garbage.
Kpardeh said they encountered similar cases in their operations. At James David Memorial Hospital, he noted that children are sometimes abandoned by their parents, underscoring the importance of the signing ceremony.
He revealed that CEDS has extended its assistance to children at John F. Kennedy Memorial Hospital and other areas. The organization has purchased four acres of land to build a future home for these children. The current office in Soul Clinic was acquired not only to run the organization but also to take in abandoned children. However, due to limited funding and resources, the organization has not been able to take in the children, Kpardeh narrated.
He called for partnerships and support to extend CEDS’ humanitarian efforts to Liberia’s needy population.
He said: “We are open to partnerships and support. We want to extend our services to more Liberian children in need, but the funding is currently being provided by our founders from their own income,” Kpardeh said. “Considering the central government’s minimal allocation to the development of these kids, we were recruited as volunteers to dedicate our services to this cause. Through brainstorming activities, we were able to organize our relief program at James N. Davis Memorial Hospital, including a one-week rigorous feeding program for children with disabilities on the peace ward.”
Meshach G. Karmo, Chief Administrator of the hospital, thanked CEDS for the partnership and support to the children and pledged the hospital’s commitment to the agreement.
The parents expressed their gratitude to CEDS for the support and called on other humanitarian organizations and the government to augment CEDS’ efforts.
“This is a timely intervention, and we are grateful to CEDS for the support,” said Romeo V.S. Allison, who signed on behalf of the parents.
“I want to say thank you to CEDS for the support. You have been our strength. We say thank you for all your help. We pray that God gives you more and blesses the work of your hands. May you receive more from where it comes from,” said Yasica Tamba, another parent who also affixed her signature.
Meanwhile, the signing ceremony was climaxed with the distribution of assorted food items and sanitary materials to the children by CEDS.