-Three physically challenged children face abandonment in Nimba
BY: SHALLON S. GONLOR
SANNIQUELLIE, NIMBA CO. — Womenvoices News has uncovered the heart-wrenching story of a woman in Vehyipa Community, Nimba County Electoral District #2, who is providing relentless, round-the-clock care for her three physically challenged children with no outside help. These children face severe challenges integrating into the community, including discrimination, lack of education, and the absence of basic social services.
The mother of three is struggling to cope after external care services were canceled, forcing her to abandon her children periodically to work on a farm for sustenance. “There’s no support. She desperately needs special education, healthcare, food, shelter, and good livelihoods to attend to these children,” said Oretha Gbangbay, a concerned neighbor. According to Oretha, the single mother is severely constrained and unable to access the adequate support and services needed to care for her children at home.
The neighbor detailed the dire situation: “The living conditions of these children are very poor. They don’t have any support as their biological fathers left them with the woman a long time ago, and each of them had a different father.” Oretha explained that the fathers abandoned their children because of their conditions, leaving the mother to fend for them alone. “Nowhere to turn, she highlights the challenge of these children and how this failure by the different fathers is impacting their right to live in an inclusive society,” Oretha added.
The children now remain unsafe in inappropriate settings due to the failure of their fathers and some care service providers to ensure a range of placement options. “Their mother goes to the farm to find food because no help is coming in, and other family members are not in good condition. She doesn’t have a man to help. Any man that comes her way, upon seeing the children’s condition, will stay away from the relationship,” Oretha lamented.
Years ago, a humanitarian organization from a Catholic background provided critical aid to the children but eventually ceased their support. Oretha Gbangbay is calling on humanitarians and the national government to help these poor and vulnerable disabled children overcome their disabilities and earn a living through access to affordable healthcare.
An investigation into the case of Wuo Tokpah, Alphanso Tokpah, and Saye Tokpah revealed that they are all biological children of Kou Tokpah but have different fathers. They were born healthy but developed protracted illnesses resulting in their disabilities simultaneously, with no probable cause identified.
The mother-of-three is now placed in a village, farming at her wits’ end, trying to access adequate support and services for her children while facing the devastating impact on her life. The investigation also revealed that Wuo, Alphanso, and Saye are among six other family members with disabilities; three of the six have passed away due to similar conditions. This underscores the urgent need for greater commitment and investment to address the issues confronting disabled children. Families of children with disabilities need to be fully resourced and supported to take care of their children at home and should not have to fight to receive critical respite services.
Residents of the Vehyipa Community are desperate for emergency care for the children. The three disabled children—Wuo Tokpah, Alphanso Tokpah, and Saye Tokpah—expressed their plight, saying, “No food for us. No good care due to our disabilities because our family has abandoned us as our fathers neglected us.” They rely on the grace of God to survive, often going to bed hungry and rallying for humanitarian intervention. “We don’t want to die like this; we are desperately in need. Every day, we face challenges,” they stated.
Children with disabilities have additional needs and face challenges in accessing education, inclusion in the community, and developing skills. These children require as much support as possible and may benefit from early childhood intervention.
Childhood Disability
A disability is an impairment that impacts a person’s core activities, including communication, self-care, and mobility. Experts say disability in children is common, with about 4 in 50 children having a disability. Some disabilities can develop after birth, such as autism. Autism, now known as autism spectrum disorder, is typically diagnosed after children reach two years of age and has been linked to genetic factors. Experts have suggested that the conditions of the three children may be related to autism.
This story highlights the critical need for systemic support and humanitarian aid to ensure that children with disabilities and their families receive the care and resources they need to live dignified and inclusive lives.
