Ability In Disability (AID) Worldwide, an international organization headquartered in California, USA, has began creating opportunities and showcasing the talents and skills of people with disability in the Liberian society, as well as supporting them and advocating on their behalf for better living atmosphere.
February 23, 2023 was set aside by AID for the second monthly award presentation to a person with disability who has defied many challenges and inspired hope within himself and others around him. However, the award was postponed to March 1, 2023 due to unforeseen difficulties experienced in getting to the winner.
The February winner was decided from a shortlist of three nominees, who made up the final list: Henry Kpadehyea, David Yourfee and Samuel B. Kpehey.
Henry Kpadehyea is a skillful guitarist and singer at the LNP Headquarters in Monrovia. He graduated from the United Methodist University with a bachelor of arts degree in sociology and mass communication, and is married with three children.
David Yourfee, the second finalist, is a university graduate and a small business owner with a 5-year-old daughter. He was born on March 30, 1986, and his business is located at the AME Zion University, Benson Street, Monrovia.
The third finalist is Samuel B. Kpehey, an ambitious businessman who is constructing a 3-bedroom house with a provision shop in Jacob’s Town, Rehab Community, but needs the assistance of six bundles of zinc, three loads of sand (US$150 each) and US$1,000 worth of timbers/planks.
The February award of AID Worldwide was presented to Henry Kpadehyea after the intense scrutiny, and he received a prize of US$200 on March 2, 2023.
The next prize or award, according to AID Worldwide’s Coordinator, Makula Dulleh, will be presented on March 23, 2023.
According to Dulleh, those who qualify to receive the AID Award are disabled people who have made remarkable progress in the areas of education, business, sports, music, art and craft, life skills, rare talents, etc.
“Every month, an AID Award Winner will receive US$200 (more or less) from the organization’s chief benefactor, who remains anonymous,” Coordinator Dulleh disclosed.
She explained that names may be submitted or applications may be filled with bio data about the prospective award recipients, noting that all applicants are to provide a short video or written story about their struggles and how they surmounted it. “Three judges will select 3—5 finalists, and the public will help decide the winner based on electronic voting,” she added. She urged interested candidates to send their nominations or suggestions to lvarniemamey@gmail.com.
