Africa-Press – Liberia. The atmosphere at My Heart’s Appeal Center for People with Intellectual Disabilities was one of joy and gratitude as Mrs. Lovetie Major, the executive director, and her team of volunteers received a generous donation from The Arc Mercer. This premier agency, known for providing resources to individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities in the United States, donated a variety of essential food items including fish, chicken, rice, and oil.
Dr. Lionel Awode, Workforce and Development Manager, representing The Arc Mercer’s CEO Steve Cook, presented the donation on Monday, April 8, at the My Heart’s Appeal Center in Monrovia. Dr. Awode expressed that this donation reflects Mr. Cook’s admiration for the impactful work of the Center, pledging ongoing support.
“His (Mr. Cook) heart is with you and pledged his undying support to My Hearts’ Appeal Center,” said Dr. Awode.
Mrs. Major expressed her gratitude for the timely donation, highlighting that it arrived when the center was facing food shortages. This isn’t the first time The Arc Mercer has supported My Heart’s Appeal; their initial donation in January was followed by this recent contribution in April.
“We were very low on fresh food. We say thank you very much. As you can see, we all share the same vision and passion for kids with intellectual disabilities,” Mrs. Major said.
She also spoke of her hope for a strong partnership between The Arc Mercer and My Heart’s Appeal, aiming to extend support to more individuals with intellectual disabilities.
My Heart’s Appeal Center stands as Liberia’s first institution dedicated to people with intellectual disabilities. Mrs. Major founded the center in 2011 with a vision to instill hope in these children and their families, emphasizing their shared humanity.
Despite operating without sponsors, the center serves 33 students and relies on over 20 volunteer staff members. Parents say they cannot afford to pay the cost for their children, and so the center operates free of charge. It has three departments: early childhood and special needs day program, vocational training hub where the students learn handicraft and fashion design, computer, wood works, tailoring and pastry; and the commercial hub that has bakery and coffee shop, gift shop and print shop. It survived on Mrs. Major’s family earning and donations from institutions in the U.S. and Liberia.
Mrs. Major pointed out the challenges faced, including the need for transportation, electricity, financial support to pay staff, and ongoing food supplies.
“Since we opened this school, there has been no sponsor. Even the government officials don’t come to our indoor and outdoor activities,” she said.
Dr. Awode praised the genuine and compassionate approach of Mrs. Major and her team, noting the center’s authenticity in contrast to some orphanages that recruit children for donor support.
“She has something legitimate and she cares for the kids and the community. You can never out beat what I am just seen here unless you have a serious donor supporting you and then you can be able to do what she is doing here. It is a blessing to the people, to the family and the children that are coming here,” he said.
In a brief interview with FrontPage Africa after the presentation, Dr. Awode revealed plans are underway at The Arc Mercer to establish branches of the company in West Africa, starting with Liberia, in recognition of the country’s need for enhanced support for individuals with developmental disabilities. Liberia will be the model for the West Africa project, then it will be extended to Sierra Leone and Nigeria. This, he said, is also in recognition of the services that Liberian Arc Mercer staff have rendered to the company over the years and a demonstration that Arc Mercer shares their vision of a better Liberia.
He revealed preparations are being made in the United States, and as part of that planning, he has come to conduct assessment and report back to the company’s CEO. And that is what he has been doing since his arrival in Liberia. In addition to My Heart’s Appeal Center, Dr. Awode visited other facilities caring for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, highlighting the urgent need for acceptance and support within the Liberian society.
‘Education is the key’
The government of Liberia, and partners, through the National Commission on Disabilities have been awarding some forms of assistance to people living with disabilities including people with visual and hearing impairments and other forms of physical disabilities. However, people with intellectual disability, down syndrome, autism and cerebral palsy are often taken to be witchcraft or cursed. As a result, they face rejection from family members or their communities. Babies are abandoned by their parents at the hospitals or thrown in garbage.
Dr. Awode emphasized the importance of public education on intellectual disabilities, stressing that these individuals are human and deserve equal treatment and opportunities. The Arc Mercer’s efforts aim to bridge this gap and provide education and support to Liberians with special needs.
“We need to open more homes for those people so that they can have a life just how we can have a life. They can have a place so they can’t be all over the place in the street. I was told that they found some of the children on the dump piles. They found them in garbage bags, they left them at JFK and their parents just went away,” he said. “These are humans. So, we have to educate one another concerning this. I hope and pray that when we come with the education, people will desire to learn.”
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