James says the reduction has made life unbearable.

“I have to do slashing work before I eat,” he says. “After working all my life, this is not how I expected to live.”

James also says Firestone ended his health benefits and removed his children from the company’s school.

“That money cannot even take me to the clinic and back. When we were strong, we gave the company our strength. Now that we are weak, we are on our own,” says David Lacky, another Firestone retiree who worked for the company for over twenty-eight years.

Lacky says he retired with a US$209 monthly benefit but now receives only five dollars. He says, “They mentioned the law, but they never showed us how the law reduced our money.”

Their testimonies were shared during a February 14 meeting in Harbel, Margibi County, where about one hundred retired Firestone workers gathered to draft a resolution demanding the restoration of what they call their full benefits.

Reading from the resolution, retiree Mulbah Kekulah said the reductions were carried out without proper explanation or education.

“We were never taken through the process,” Kekulah said. “We want transparency, and we want what is due to us.”

Many of the retirees say decades of physically demanding plantation labor have left them with chronic health conditions. They also claim that after retirement, their children were removed from Firestone-operated schools, and their health insurance benefits were discontinued.

The group says it previously pursued legal action against Firestone and won in court but maintains that the ruling has not translated into meaningful financial relief.

Beyond the company, the retirees are directing their frustration at President Joseph Boakai. They say that during the 2023 campaign, then Unity Party standard bearer Boakai sought their votes and pledged to intervene in their long-running pension dispute.

But almost three years into his administration, they say he has not returned or sent word to them.

Rev. Kafa Teah, Chairman of the All Retired Citizens Association of Liberia, said the retirees feel abandoned.

“The president is not listening to us,” Rev. Teah said. “We saw him as someone who would hear our cry. Today, retirees across Liberia are struggling.

Teah says they are still waiting for the president’s promise to become action. He promised retirees that he will not get tired until their plights are addressed.

Firestone has yet to provide an official response on the matter, although the company was contacted before publication.

Until there is an official explanation from Firestone, the retirees insist they will not back down until their benefits are restored and the president acts on the commitment they say he made to them.

The post Nearly Three Years After Election, Firestone Retirees Say President Boakai Has Yet to Act on Their Benefit Promise, Claim They Are Dying in Poverty. first appeared on OK FM.

A recent investigation done by New Narratives reveals that glasses can cost up to US$250, a figure far beyond the reach of most Liberians. Hospitals are concentrated in urban areas, leaving rural populations without care. And for those who finally reach an eye clinic, long wait times and high fees often delay treatment, allowing preventable conditions like cataracts to progress to blindness.

Stepping into the Gap

Good Vision Liberia is the local arm of an international non-governmental organization dedicated to restoring sight through tackling Liberia’s silent vision crisis. Since 2019, the organization has been providing free community screenings, affordable glasses, and life-changing cataract surgeries across Liberia through mobile outreaches, technician training, and strategic partnerships.

In 2025 alone, Good Vision conducted 446 community outreaches across Montserrado, Margibi, Bong, Bomi, Grand Bassa, and Grand Cape Mount counties; screened 17,099 people; issued 16,477 eye prescriptions; and distributed over 8,000 pairs of glasses, with over 300 of them free of charge.

Jackson Smith is the Country Director of Good Vision Liberia. He says their goal is that financial status should never be a barrier to vision.” “Our aim is that no one comes to Good Vision needing glasses and leaves without them. We want to ensure everyone, regardless of income or location, can see clearly.”

The nonprofit also expanded its Cataract Support Program, which focuses on early detection and referral for surgical treatment. Between April and December 2025, 840 suspected cataract cases were identified by the GVTs; 73 patients were referred to the John F. Kennedy hospital and medically confirmed; 59 patients underwent successful cataract surgery and 6 minor surgeries.

Building Community Capacity

At the heart of Good Vision’s approach is the Good Vision Technician (GVT) program, designed to train local staff to deliver quality eye care. The program began in 2021 with 11 technicians, all of whom are actively serving communities nationwide.

In the latest cohort, 16 new technicians were recruited, with 13 successfully graduating on January 24, 2026. These technicians provide critical early detection services, helping prevent conditions from worsening before patients reach hospitals.

Smith says the urgency of the local outreach is visible. “Many Liberians only discover they have vision problems when they reach hospitals, often too late. By going directly into communities, we identify problems early and make vision care accessible to everyone.”

Younkonjay Papa is one of the certified GVTs. He sees the life-changing results of the program every day. “Many people develop eye problems but don’t know where to go or who to seek help from.” Papa Says, “Our mobile clinics bring services to those who otherwise would have no access.”

For over four years, Papa has worked as a Good Vision technician, one of the program’s earliest recruits, witnessing firsthand the impact of community-based eye care across Liberia.

Another Good Vision technician is Cynthia Weegie. With just a year at Good Vision, Weegie has discovered how lack of awareness is a leading cause of prolonged vision impairment in Liberia. “Many Liberians suffer in silence because they don’t know where to turn. By going into communities, we are reaching those who might otherwise wait too long.”

.Weegie stressed that while testing is free, the cost of glasses, though small, promotes ownership. “The focus is always on protecting eyesight and preventing long-term damage.” She explained.

Affordable Glasses, Life-Changing Results

Another key strength that sets Good Vision apart is the provision of affordable glasses. In Liberia, glasses can cost from US$60 to US$250, a figure far beyond the reach of most Liberians. Good Vision ensures affordability by subsidizing up to 98% of the cost, making prescription glasses available for as little as US$3 to $5.

“The minimal cost ensures that people value the service and that the program can continue to reach more communities,” Smith says.

He clarified that in some cases, partner organizations cover the cost, leaving Good Vision free to focus entirely on service delivery and patient care.

Taking Vision Vare To Doorsteps

Another challenge facing Liberia’s vision sector is the concentration of hospitals in urban areas, leaving rural populations without care. And for those who finally reach an eye clinic, long wait times and high fees often delay treatment, allowing preventable conditions like cataracts to progress to blindness.

This, Papa says, is one of the reasons he intends to continue his work as a vision technician.
“My first priority is to serve humanity,” Papa says. “Even after certification, we will continue the outreach and support the organization.”

A Partnership for National Impact

One of the major achievements of Good Vision for the year 2025 was its cordial relationship with the Ministry of Health. The Ministry’s Eye Health program is the key partner of organizations involved with eye care in Liberia.

“Our collaboration with the ministry is one of our biggest achievements,” Smith said. “They support us, and we support them.” Smith says. “Our partnership with the ministry and the other institutions has made our work possible.”

The organization has also enhanced its standing with the Liberia NGO’s Network, maintained its partnership with LP Prazard Eye Institute, and the Catholic Hospital, which hosts Good Vision Liberia.

The Ministry of Health has publicly praised Good Vision’s efforts. Irise Miller, who is the training coordinator at the National Eye Health Program, pointed out how Good Vision is helping to extend eye care services beyond hospitals, calling it an important contribution to Liberia’s healthcare system, especially in hard-to-reach areas.

Miller highlighted the critical role GVTs play in improving national eye health services. “Liberia needs you now more than ever.” Miller says, “Go out there and practice what you have learned. Your work will boost national eye health services and support the country’s health goals.”

Transforming Lives, Strengthening Communities

As the organization continues to expand, Smith says the mission is ensuring that cost, distance, and late diagnosis no longer prevent Liberians from accessing the care they need through the provision of free screenings, affordable glasses, and life-saving cataract surgeries.

The post Restoring Liberia’s Sight: How Good Vision is Transforming Lives Through Free Screenings, Community Outreaches, Affordable Glasses, and Life-Changing Cataract Surgeries. first appeared on OK FM.