Liberia: BSC Monrovia, AIFO Organize Market Fair for Persons With Disabilities

Business Startup Center (BSC) Monrovia, a non-governmental organization in collaboration with the Italian Association Amici di Raoul Follereau (AIFO), has organized the first market fair for persons with disabilities (PWD) to enhance their economic activities.

The fair, which took place on Friday at the Monrovia City Hall, brought together ten business start-ups from Montserrado, Bong, and Nimba Counties. 

Held under the Coordinated Action on Disability in Liberia (CAD-L), the event was organized as an extravaganza for PWD to display goods and services.

 It was also meant to facilitate the exhibition of products and provide PWDs with marketing and self-employment opportunities, access to business opportunities, assistive devices, and ICT services.

William R. Dennis, chief executive officer of Business Start-up Center Monrovia, said the fair was intended to promote people with disabilities through entrepreneurship and development as part of the CAD-L project.

He stated that the launch of the fair would help reduce the huge barriers, challenges and misconceptions about the ability of individuals with PWDs and promote disability inclusion.

“Today, we're here to showcase their products and services in order to encourage them to sell their goods and services through an inclusive society,” Dennis explained.

He appealed to the public to support people by patronizing their products to bring hope and smiles to their faces.

Also speaking, Leonard Volpetti, Country Director of AIFO Liberia, noted that the launch of the market fair is one of the crucial activities of the CAD-L program.

He said AIFO Liberia, however, has not grown by itself but with an ever-expanding network of players, both local and international.

Volpetti added, “I’m proud to say that, notwithstanding all the difficulties, the interaction with the Liberian OPDs and Liberian government has become more and more effective and fruitful.” 

He further acknowledged the support of donors like the Italian government, the EU, and now SIDA.

Furthermore, the AIFO Liberia Country Director said they are ready to share their goals with other entities, considering that disability is a cross-cutting theme that can be included in every sector.

“If some other entities are ready for this adventurous journey, AIFO Liberia is here; do not hesitate,” Volpetti said.

Remarks were also made by Laura S. Mendin, project officer of CAD-L, Plan Liberia, Diaconia Microfinance Institution, Action Aid, DKT International, iCampus Liberia, and SIDA, among others.

Meanwhile, the start-up enterprises participants are: Life is Good; Self Help Enterprises; Akenuyea Enterprise; Naklee Business Center; Kpogbomah Enterprise; Kwageh; and Tomorrow Future Enterprises.

Others are Yekakyeah Enterprise, Tukpan Enterprise, Organic Honey and Vegetable Production, etc.