07/29/2024
KDE Disability Africa Foundation Celebrates Achievements and addresses challenges at Second Graduation Ceremony in Liberia
Monrovia, Liberia – July 28, 2024: The KDE Disability Africa Foundation celebrated its second graduation ceremony at the International Pentecostal Holiness Church in Monrovia, Liberia.
Twenty individuals including four women with physical disabilities, completed KDE’s vocational training programs in tailoring and fashion design, soap science, and computer technology. The event was hosted at the International Pentecostal Holiness Church (IPHC - Liberia), with Rev. Habakkuk Giah providing the venue and opening prayer.
Honorable Samuel Dean, Executive Director of the National Commission on Disabilities (NCD) Liberia, attended as the guest speaker and chief fundraiser, contributing 10,000 Liberty (equivalent to $50 USD) to support the foundation. Mr. Melvin Harding, National Vice President for Administration of the National Union of Organizations of the Disabled (NUOD), also pledged 10,000 Liberty.
Mr. Dean commended the graduates for their courage and determination in choosing education over begging, emphasizing their potential to become leaders. He highlighted the NCD's mission to advocate for the rights of Liberia's disabled population and provide support through subsidies and empowerment grants. Mr. Dean also recognized the dedication of KDE’s educators, who have transformed the lives of socio-economically deprived women in Liberia. Mr. Dean advised graduates to start their businesses, continue learning, and use their skills to create a prosperous future.
Ms. Lydia Essifie encouraged the graduates, acknowledging the difficulties of completing a training program. She provided an overview of KDE’s mission and history, noting the challenges faced in providing free education to individuals with disabilities. Ms. Essifie emphasized the need for transportation and accessible facilities, as many students dropped out due to these barriers. She called for support to continue offering free vocational training, as the foundation relies on donations to cover teacher salaries and materials.
Out of 20 students that completed the program, 16 students received certificates of completion in person at the graduation. The students that completed the KDE vocational training program include: TAILORING & FASHION DESIGN: Naomi S. Ben, Massa B Dunor, Kate Dukuly, Diamond M. Giah, Annie W. Harding, Nalecia D Harmon, Wanetta B S Jackson, Elizabeth Y Karbleh, Mariama B Kollie, Helena P Nyenswah, Faith Onnoh, Doris Paye, and Gbilee Telewoda; COMPUTER LITERACY: Faith M David, Kebbeh Gayflor and Matthew C. Kollie, Hannah Kpan; SOAP SCIENCE: Mimie P David, Ruth Koduo, and Rebecca Yorcee.
KDE Disability Africa Foundation, a non-profit organization founded by Kimma Wreh and Mr. Boniface Ihiasota, remains committed to empowering individuals with disabilities through skills development and education. The foundation continues to play a crucial role in creating opportunities for a more inclusive and equitable society in Liberia.
ABOUT KDE DISABILITY AFRICA FOUNDATION:
KDE Disability Africa Foundation is a 501C3 non-profit organization to improve the lives of people with disabilities and dis-enfranchised youth in Africa and the US by providing basic needs (food, clothing), mobility devices (wheelchairs, crutches, canes), vocational training, and advocating for disability inclusion. KDE Disability Africa Foundation was registered in the USA in 2015 and registered in Liberia in 2017.
The objectives of KDE include but are not limited to:
- Providing food and clothing
- Establishing a vocational training program that focuses on technical skills such as apparel sewing and accessories making
- Providing mobility devices (Wheelchairs, Crutches, Canes, motorized equipment / devices
- Organizing Empowerment & Job Readiness workshops
Donations can be sent via paypal.me/kdedisabilityafrica or Zelle to [email protected].
Contact:
Kimma Wreh
President, KDE Disability Africa Foundation
Email: [email protected]
Phone: +1-832-483-4864 (USA)
Website: https://kdedisabilityafrica.org
Lydia Essifie
Manager, KDE Disability Africa Foundation
Email: [email protected]
Phone: +231 7768 58838 (Liberia)
