Disable Man in Bong Appeals for Assistance to Pursue Higher Education

By: J. Boimah Johnson |Bong Correspondent

Gbarnga City, Bong County |Dec. 15, 2025 | A disable man in Bong County is appealing to well to do personalities and humanitarian organizations including the Group of 77 and individuals to come to his aide as he is determined to pursue higher quality education.

In the same vein, Mr. Austin Leaylea is at the same time calling on NGOs as well as faith-based institutions not to only concentrate their interventions in urban areas but also consider people living disabilities in the rural parts of the country as well.

Speaking to Rural Reporters News Network in Bong County, Mr. Austin Leaylea recounted that they as disable have been neglected and abandoned by their family members, friends and their leaders; something he described as distressing situation for them.

He said they as disable are also important in the society, but they have been down played for too by their leaders and society at large, because of their respective challenges cum ailment in society.

Austin Leaylea who is a resident of Bong County, said people living with disabilities in the rural part of Liberia continue to face lots of challenges ranging from lack of support by their family members and friends as well as complete neglect by national government.

Mr. Leaylea who is a 2009/2010 graduate of the St Peter’s Episcopal High School in Gbarnga, has called on well meaningful citizens to help him further his education at the college level in order to be marketable based on the employable skills, competence and education he will achieved at the college levels.

He told newsman since that his graduation from high school, he is yet to receive help from family members or friends in his quest to chase higher education.

The physically  challenged,  who is eager to further his education told reporter that they as people living with disabilities in the rural part of Liberia have been allegedly abandoned by the group of 77, which is the mother institution for all disable groups in the country.

He wants the mother organization for all the disable groups in Liberia to focus on people living with disabilities in the rural areas as well in order to improve their living conditions.

Mr. Leaylea stated that if the opportunity is given him to further his education at the higher level, the country stands to benefit from him as disable person residing Bong County.

The disable man said his appeal is not based on what he can generate and put it in his pocket, but that which will improve him and his colleagues as disable in society.

“If I am well educated today, I believe that, I can serve my country with passion and dignity despite my physical condition,” Mr. Leaylea said.

He encouraged his contemporaries living with disabilities to always focus on their goals in life and wait for God’s time for their upliftment in society.

Mr. Austin Leaylea called on citizens of the county, humanitarians, non-governmental organizations, and the government of Liberia headed by President Joseph N Boakai to help sponsor people living with disabilities in pursuing higher education.