FROM STRUGGLE TO STRENGTH: The Lasting Legacy of the CAD-L Project

– Gbarnga, Bong County

As the Coordinated Action on Disability (CAD-L) project in Liberia approaches the conclusion of its four-year journey, the profound stories of change and resilience among individuals with disabilities emerge, painting a vivid portrait of hope in a landscape that has often been overshadowed by struggle. Led by AIFO in collaboration with dedicated partners including the National Commission on Disabilities (NCD), the National Union of Organizations of the Disabled (NUOD), the Liberia Labour Congress (LLC), and DKT International, this transformative initiative has planted the seeds of empowerment, nurturing dignity and purpose in the lives of many.

Hannah George, a spirited 24-year-old who navigates life in her wheelchair from the heart of Gbarnga, Bong County, shared her heartfelt reflections during an interview for an end-of-project documentary. Tears glistened in her eyes as she expressed, “It breaks my heart to see this project end. It has changed my life and the lives of so many others.” The project’s Sexual Reproductive Health Rights (SRHR) component resonated deeply with Hannah, illuminating the path to understanding health not merely as a privilege, but as an undeniable human right to all Persons with Disabilities.
Through the empowerment provided by CAD-L, Hannah has blossomed into a peer educator, her voice a beacon of hope and change among young women with disabilities in her community. Additionally, she passionately leads discussions on the “We Are One” Radio Talk Show, a platform that amplifies the voices of persons with disabilities and advocates for their rights in alignment with the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD). “This show has been a lifeline igniting conversations and inspiring behavioral change throughout my community,” she shared, her enthusiasm palpable. Alongside her advocacy work, Hannah is pursuing her education through the Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) Intervention, paving her path toward self-reliance and independence.