MONROVIA, LIBERIA- The Group of 77 Disabled Center has advanced discussions with the Chinese Embassy in Liberia on potential partnerships to strengthen vocational training, build institutional capacity, and improve outreach to persons with disabilities across the country.
The engagement, held on Wednesday, October 21, at the Chinese Embassy in Liberia near Monrovia, focused on opportunities for cooperation with Chinese institutions and logistical assistance to support the Center’s work across the 13 counties where it has members.
A statement from the Group of 77 said the delegation was led by the Senior Administrator of the Group, Mr. Raymond K. Zarbay, who conveyed the appreciation of the Second Lady of the Republic of Liberia, Madam Synleseh Stephenie Dahn Koung, and the Center’s Executive Director, to Chinese Ambassador H.E. Yin Chengwu and the Government of China for their support and cooperation.
Mr. Zarbay thanked the Embassy for welcoming the opportunity to explore practical partnerships that could strengthen the Center’s services and expand opportunities for persons with disabilities.
Presenting an overview of the Second Lady’s initiatives, the Deputy Public Relations Director, Clifford Payne, highlighted her commitment to vocational skills development, economic empowerment, and social inclusion.
The presentation outlined the Center’s efforts to equip persons with disabilities with skills that can support sustainable livelihoods and greater independence.
The delegation also acknowledged the value of Chinese training programs, referencing a previous training a member of the Center’s staff had benefited from and explored prospects for extending similar opportunities to additional staff and members, alongside institutional exchanges and technical cooperation.
Logistical support was another priority, particularly assistance that could improve the Center’s ability to reach members outside Monrovia and coordinate activities across its county networks.
Mr. Qiu Ziquan and Ms. Sun Shengyu, Political Secretaries of the Chinese Embassy, received the delegation and conveyed Ambassador Yin Chengwu’s greetings to the Group of 77.
They also commended the Second Lady for her continued efforts to improve the lives of persons with disabilities and promote their inclusion and empowerment.
The Political Secretaries also recalled their participation, alongside the Chinese Ambassador, in the groundbreaking ceremony of the National Resource Center for Persons with Disabilities, a landmark initiative being implemented under the leadership of Liberia’s Second Lady.
The proposed center, to be developed on 10.8 acres of land in Kpekor Town, Brewerville, will feature housing units, schools, a hospital, and an innovation hub designed to advance the inclusion, empowerment, and overall well-being of persons with disabilities.
Other key members of the Group of 77 team included Dr. Jacob Mahina, Deputy Director for Projects; Ms. Jennifer Thorpe, Deputy Director for Human Resources; and Mr. Judah Lindah, Media Officer.
The Group of 77 used the engagement to invite the Embassy to attend the forthcoming graduation ceremony of Empower Her, an initiative of the Second Lady that has trained more than 250 women with disabilities in vocational skills.
Training areas include tailoring, catering, tie-dye, event decoration, soap production, and arts and crafts.
The statement said the ceremony, scheduled to take place at the Samuel Kanyon Doe (SKD) Sports Gymnasium on October 30, 2026, will celebrate the participants’ achievements and highlight the role of practical skills in expanding economic opportunities for women with disabilities.
The engagement forms part of the Group of 77’s continuing efforts to build strategic partnerships that translate disability inclusion into access to training, stronger services, and greater opportunities for participation in Liberia’s development.