By G. Lawrence Tuopleyee, Nimba D-9 TV Reporter

Nimba, Liberia: – Gblor Diallah, a remote town settled in Nimba County Electoral District #6, is steeped in traditional beliefs, but on August 2, 2025, it took a bold step forward in the fight against ignorance and stigma surrounding epilepsy.

For years, people living with epilepsy in this and other rural parts of Liberia have suffered in silence. Victims of societal neglect, discrimination, and cultural misconceptions, many have died not from the neurological disorder itself, but from the weight of exclusion and untreated seizures.

But on that memorable Saturday, hope was rekindled.

The non-governmental organization Help Minimize Epilepsy in Liberia (HMEL) staged a groundbreaking community outreach event, aimed at transforming minds and saving lives. The town’s atmosphere shifted from one of sorrow to solidarity as residents, health professionals, local authorities, and those affected by epilepsy came together to share stories, tears, and truth.

The day-long program was part of HMEL’s countywide campaign to dismantle centuries-old myths about epilepsy, chief among them, the dangerous belief that epilepsy is caused by witchcraft or spiritual forces. In a place where seizures have often been met with fear or abandonment, the event served as a powerful counter-narrative: epilepsy is a medical condition, not a curse.

“It’s not contagious,” health workers told the crowd. “You cannot catch epilepsy by touching, kissing, or eating with someone who has it.”

But this wasn’t just about talk. The organization provided life-changing support: free medication, food supplies, and essential care items to dozens of people living with epilepsy. For many of the recipients, it was the first time they had been embraced rather than shunned.

One woman, tears in her eyes, said, “I never thought anyone would come here and treat us like humans again.”

The event marks a turning point not just for Gblor Diallah but potentially for many other marginalized communities across Liberia, where epilepsy remains misunderstood. Thanks to HMEL and its partners, a movement is growing, one that insists that people living with epilepsy deserve dignity, inclusion, and access to care said an Elder.

In a land long silenced by stigma, the voices of the neglected are finally being heard.