Hello all, Mo here again. Last week Sunday was one of the most emotional day in my life. I had the privilege and opportunity of spending time with amputees (victims of Sierra Leone's Civil War) at Lumley Beach. It was quite a moving and emotional experience. I asked each of them(although reluctantly) if they could share personal stories of how they lost their leg or arms (or both) in the arms of rebels or other warring factions. For almost two hours, I heard stories of people doing bad things to others. Each story was personal and unique and I will never forget the time I spent with these courageous men, whose only crime in life (if you can call it that) is that they were victims to the brutal war that ravaged Sierra Leone for over 11 yers. The stories made me angry, sad, motivated, and resolute to do something to help their plight. I plan on showing you all the videos and pictures on my return to the US.
I took pictures of and with them, interviewed them, and ask them how I could (even though i'm only one person) help them upon my return to the United States. Many of these men have families that were either lost in the war or that they could no longer take care of because they can't work to earn a living. Even those without disabilities can't find work. Sierra Leone does not provide employment for the disable, therefore, most of these men have to beg for change so that they can eat or feed their children. I spoke to men who can't afford to send their kids to school, can't afford a place to live or basic daily necessities.
More than anything, what these men need is love and support. Remember them in your prayers and I ask each and everyone of you to join me in helping to better the lives of these victims of Sierra Leone's Civil War. I know i'm one person, but it takes one person with an idea to create a cause. More than ever, I believe it is not only my responsibility, but my duty as a native Sierra Leonean and a citizen of the world to give back to those that are so less fortunate than myself. But for God's blessings, the hard work and love of my family, the US Government and all those (including all of you) who played a role (no matter how little or how large it could have been) in helping me become the person I am today, I could have been a victim of the war myself; maybe an amputee or worse. I see myself in each and everyone of them because what happened to them, could have happened to me.
I feel so blessed for the life I have in the US. I feel both fortunate and guilty for the luxurious life I live in the US. With the blessing of having our lives in the US, I believe there are responsibilities, including that of helping those less fortunate than ourselves. I have come across people in Sierra Leone, especially some of the amputees, who have it worse than any of us will probably ever do. As I indicated above, the only thing these victims of the war are guilty of is that they were in the wrong place at the wrong time (most of them were farmers in the provinces) and are from a lesser privileged society than myself and you all.
I plan on establishing a scholarship fund to assist in sending these men and their children to school; and to also provide basic needs for them and their families. I ask and look forward to any ideas that you all have in making this a idea a reality. Also, please save clothes, shoes, books, and other items that you or your family members or friends no longer need or feel free to purchase new items if you can so that we can send it to these men and other less fortunate people. As you all can tell, this is a cause that i'm very passionate about. Although it is a lot to undertake, I have no doubt that with your help, and that of anyone who is willing to listen, we can make it happen.
It hurts me to see kids in the street instead of in classrooms. Ten dollars can send a kid to school for a term (about $30 for a year). I ask each and everyone of you reading this blog to find it in your hearts to join me in this noble cause. As citizens of the world, we owe it to ourselves to make it a better place for generations to come. What happens in Sierra Leone and to these men and other victims of the war is not a Sierra Leonean or African tragedy, simply put, it's a HUMAN TRAGEDY and it should not happen anywhere. None of us can change what happened; but we can all do something to contribute towards the recovery and betterment of the lives of these men and other victims of the war.
It breaks my heart standing next to these courageous men with both my arms and legs while they walk around on crutches playing soccer with a smile on their face. The few times I broke down in tear, they had to console me which was very surreal.
In conclusion, I have no doubt that I will have your support in this very noble cause. I believe it's better to give than to receive, and that those who give without expecting back, are usually those who receive unexpectedly. I ask you all to come join me in making this country a better place (in our own little way) by bettering the lives of those who fell victims to its brutal civil war. I thank you all in advance for your support and I look forward to your ideas, comments and support. May God bless you and your loved ones.
Mo
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