S Wonka Reeder Senior started working with the epilepsy program in Montserrado County, home of Liberia’s capital, in 2020. Based in the Star of the Sea Health Centre, he is part of a team providing clinical treatment and psychosocial support for people living with epilepsy in the crowded West Point township, one of several sites across the county. He is a passionate advocate for the holistic approach that helps young people stay in school in Monrovia, Liberia.

TRANSCRIPT

S Wonka Reeder Senior, Médecins Sans Frontières psychosocial worker, Liberia

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I’ve learned a lot,

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that people should not be ostracised because of sickness.

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They didn't go and find it themselves.

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Sickness can come to anyone, at any time.

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The fact remains that, in Liberia, there are myths regarding epilepsy.

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“Epilepsy is contagious”—so people perceive it to be;

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“epilepsy is demonic”—so people perceive it to be,

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and so there are a whole lot of myths surrounding it.

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If you have epilepsy and you are being bullied,

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you go with that bad mind that you are useless.

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If you don't work on those things, those psychosocial problems,

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and they are taking medication, it doesn't work.

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Because those things have to be there,

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they have to understand it and learn to live with those things

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before the medication itself can do [its work].

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So when we do the psycho-education,

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we do some sessions of counselling,

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then you feel yourself the worth and dignity of a person.

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With the psycho-education, people got to realise that they are humans.

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And many of our patients feel belonging now.

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It’s a holistic approach in that the patient wellbeing is our goal.

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MSF is doing well for people.

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Especially in our setting where people don't have the financial capacity

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to seek treatment, MSF is offering this kind of treatment,

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What makes me happy about this job is,

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when my clients see me as a motivator.

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When they see me as someone who set them back [on track],

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who assisted them.

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Because we don't find solutions.

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as social workers, we don't solve your problem.

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We help, we work with you to solve your problem.

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That's my passion.

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And the counselling aspect, I hold that in high esteem.

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People with epilepsy can reach their full potential.

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And they can do everything that we do,

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and they should be fit into society and be a part of us.

[ENDS]