Naome Gbotoe

Naome Gbotoe - The Harmony Center

Naome's parents fled the war in Liberia to live in Cote D'Ivoire (Ivory Coast) in 1996.  Naome was born and neither of her parents knew that she had cerebral palsy since she appeared normal at birth.  She was slow to walk but her mother and father thought this was nothing too far from normal. 

In 2003, war broke out in Cote D'Ivoire and as her house was attacked, family members fled in all directions.  Both of Naome's parents were killed, but her grandmother survived and took her to Ghana's refugee camp, Buduburam.  As they settled on camp, it became clear that Naome had a condition that stopped her from walking and talking.

When the Harmony Center for the disabled was created in 2006, Naome's grandmother brought her for help and Naome could not even move on her own.  Now, through the Harmony Center's constant attention and exercises, Naome has learned to walk, say quite a few words, wash her own hands and even scribble with a pen.

Niapele's involvement with the project has enabled Naome, along with other disabled children, to receive regular meals, fruit and milk everyday.  "That alone is greatly improving their situation," comments Pandora Duyen, the head of Harmony Children's Center.