Mr. Raymond Zarbay
By Jamesetta D. Williams
Monrovia-The Group of 77, under the supervision of the Office of Vice President Jeremiah Kpan Koung, is set to graduate 257 women and girls with disabilities from a vocational skills training program designed to promote economic independence, entrepreneurship and social inclusion.
The graduation ceremony for the beneficiaries of the Empower Her Project is scheduled for Friday, October 30, 2026, at the Samuel Kanyon Doe (SKD) Sports Complex in Paynesville.
Raymond Zarbay, Senior Administrative Officer of the Group of 77, and Stephen T. Kurmoteh, the organization’s Program Specialist and project focal person disclosed Tuesday at the Ministry of Information.
They disclosed the project is an initiative of Liberia’s Second Lady, Madam Satta F. T. Duncan, who also serves as Executive Director of the Group of 77.
According to them, the initiative seeks to equip women and girls with disabilities with practical vocational skills, business knowledge and financial literacy to help them establish sustainable livelihoods.
Zarbay said the initiative reflects the organization’s commitment to removing barriers that prevent persons with disabilities from accessing education, employment and economic opportunities.
He said the project carries a simple but important message: women and girls with disabilities can transform their lives, support their families and contribute meaningfully to national development when given the necessary skills and opportunities.
He also called on government institutions, businesses, development partners, civil society organizations and the public to support initiatives that promote disability inclusion and economic empowerment.
He encouraged the media to highlight the achievements of the beneficiaries and help change public perceptions about persons with disabilities.
Also, providing details about the project, Kurmoteh said the initiative was developed in response to challenges raised by women and girls with disabilities during a conference held on March 5, 2025, at the SKD Sports Complex.
According to him, the conference brought together more than 800 women and girls with disabilities, giving them an opportunity to interact with national stakeholders and discuss challenges affecting their lives.
He said the discussions produced resolutions covering several areas, including empowerment, education, health and social welfare.
Following the conference, the Office of the Second Lady launched the Empower Her Project on October 10, 2025, with implementation beginning in December of that year.
Kurmoteh explained that although more than 500 women and girls participated in the registration process, 257 were identified as eligible beneficiaries for the program.
The beneficiaries received practical training in tailoring, catering and pastry-making, soap production, event decoration and tie-dye.
He said the training was conducted at three locations in Montserrado County: the YMCA campus in Sinkor, the Monrovia Vocational Training Center in Paynesville and the Jesus Services headquarters in Virginia.
To ensure accessibility, the organizers incorporated sign-language interpreters and disability-inclusive support staff throughout the training process.
The vocational training was complemented by entrepreneurship and financial literacy instruction conducted with support from the Bureau of Small Business Enterprises at the Ministry of Commerce.
Kurmoteh said the combination of practical skills and business knowledge was intended to prepare beneficiaries not only to acquire vocational abilities but also to identify business opportunities and manage their income.
Beyond training, the project is expected to provide beneficiaries with start-up materials and financial assistance to help them establish or expand their businesses.
Kurmoteh said graduates trained in tailoring, for example, are expected to receive sewing machines and other basic materials needed to begin operating their businesses.
He added that beneficiaries who already operate small businesses would receive microgrants to strengthen their existing ventures.
According to him, some participants had acquired vocational skills before joining the project but lacked the financial resources and equipment needed to grow their businesses.
The additional support, he said, is intended to help them move from training to practical economic activity and improve their ability to support themselves and their families.
Kurmoteh stressed that the graduation ceremony would mark an important milestone, but continued support and partnerships would be necessary to ensure that the beneficiaries turn their newly acquired skills into sustainable livelihoods.
One of the beneficiaries, Rose Walmart, who participated in the project’s tailoring class, expressed gratitude to Vice President Jeremiah Kpan Koung, Second Lady Satta F. T. Duncan and the Group of 77 for providing the opportunity.
Walmart said the training had helped her develop skills that could make her more independent and enable her to contribute to her community.
She also thanked the partners and individuals who supported the implementation of the project, describing their contributions as important to its success.
Walmart urged the public to recognize the abilities of persons with disabilities rather than focus on their limitations.
She said the initiative had demonstrated that women with disabilities could develop useful products and participate in economic activities when given the necessary support.
The beneficiary also praised the Second Lady for supporting a program that places women with disabilities at the center of efforts to improve their lives.
Zarbay said the Group of 77 was established in 1977 under the leadership of former President William R. Tolbert to support persons with disabilities and respond to their welfare needs.
He explained that the organization began with a modest shelter on Newport Street in Monrovia, where persons with disabilities could receive assistance, including food, medical care and educational support.
Over the years, the organization has expanded its work to include support for education and healthcare, social assistance, assistive devices, vocational skills development and advocacy for the inclusion of persons with disabilities in national programs and policies.
He said the organization continues to pursue opportunities that enable persons with disabilities to participate more fully in Liberia’s social and economic development.
According to Zarbay, the Empower Her Project represents part of that effort by promoting skills development, self-reliance and greater participation among women and girls with disabilities.
He encouraged businesses, government institutions and development partners to create accessible opportunities, support businesses operated by persons with disabilities and treat them with dignity and respect.
Kurmoteh said the Group of 77 hopes to replicate the intervention in other parts of Liberia and introduce additional programs to improve the lives of persons with disabilities.
He expressed appreciation to the Office of the Vice President, the Government of Liberia, project partners, trainers, training institutions, interpreters, community stakeholders and media practitioners for supporting the initiative.
He also acknowledged contributions from partners, including Elemental Liberia, Bea Mountain, LPLC, the National Port Authority, A2Z Corporation and Fresh Frozen Foods.
The project team said further partnerships would be important to extend skills training and economic support to more women and girls with disabilities.
The upcoming graduation is expected to bring together government officials, development partners, private-sector representatives, civil society organizations, the media and members of the public to recognize the achievements of the beneficiaries.
Organizers said the initiative is intended to demonstrate that investing in women and girls with disabilities can strengthen families, support local businesses and contribute to a more inclusive Liberia.
The Group of 77 maintains that disability should not prevent people from accessing opportunities and contributing to national development.
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