Liberia, Oct. 14 -- Summary

By Tetee Gebro, gender and health correspondent with New Narratives

CATHOLIC JUNCTION, Monrovia - Rain was falling Saturday morning when Nadia S. Jolo joined a group of people walking from through Monrovia's streets as part of the country's first National Exercise and Wellness Day.

For the 51-year-old, getting wet was not enough to turn her back. Just days earlier, Jolo had watched a colleague at work collapse from a stroke. Jolo has hypertension herself. The incident frightened her. So when Jolo, who works with the Ministry of Health's Malaria Division, heard about Saturday's walk, she decided to join.

"I need to exercise. I need to reduce my diet," Jolo said.

Jolo is among a growing number of Liberians c...