Kyros Komba and Ishmael Koamoa were both born with polio. As a result, their parents shunned them from birth. They have formed an incredible friendship but were forced to beg on the streets for food. Kyros used the microloan to start a small shop selling sweets, teas, and cigarettes, while Ishmael opened a shop selling drinks. In doing so, they have the ability to earn their own money and not be forced to a life of begging for their survival.

Kyros Komba and Ishmael Koamoa were both born with polio. As a result, their parents shunned them from birth. They have formed an incredible friendship but were forced to beg on the streets for food. Kyros used the microloan to start a small shop selling sweets, teas, and cigarettes, while Ishmael opened a shop selling drinks. In doing so, they have the ability to earn their own money and not be forced to a life of begging for their survival.

Hassan grew up with polio and the inability to use his legs drove him to become specialized in making things with his hands. He is using the microloan to make various tools such as shovels and other tools after purchasing the raw materials. This loan will assist with his goal to become a skilled tradesman.

Osman Turay lost his leg during the civil war 20 years ago. His father was killed, and his mother lost her sight due to a bomb flash. He was given the colossal task of caring for his blind mother while functioning without a leg. Unfortunately, this meant a lot of begging to support them. He is using the loan to open a shoe and slipper shop, he also received a prosthetic leg which will allow him to walk, something he could not do for 20 years.

Al Haji lost his leg below the knee in the war from a bomb and his parents were killed at the same time. He received a prosthetic leg and was extremely grateful for the loan which was used to open a small drink shop in Freetown.

Alimamy’s father was a soldier in Sierra Leone and grew up near Ocker Hill. His parents were killed in the war, and he was shot in the leg. Because he was in such a remote place there was no medical access available, and by the time he was finally treated, the only thing they could do was amputate the leg. Had medical access been available, the result may have been different. He was 9 years old when this happened and has been begging for survival ever since. He is using the loan to support himself by opening a small convenience shop. He also received a prosthetic leg.

Abdula’s father was a soldier which forced Abdula to grow up in the barracks. When the war started, he was forced to fight against the rebels as a child soldier. He was shot high in the arm and it had to be amputated. Since then, he has been begging to earn enough to survive. The loan has allowed him to open his own shoe business and support himself.

Sinnah grew up in the countryside and when the war started, she was just 3 years old. One awful day, she was outside searching for food. As family tried to escape, her parents were killed, and she was hit in the leg with a bullet while escaping. She uses the loan to open a small convenience shop.

Mary lost her parents during the war from landmines when she was 8 years old. She has used the loan to open a shop selling sweets such as biscuits, cookies, and other pastries. This was her dream for a long time and it will give her the ability to both fulfill that dream and to support herself.

Mariama was going to school on a motorbike taxi at the age of 9 when a vehicle collided with the motorbike and threw her into a gutter on the side of the road. The driver died instantly, and she was left with a severely wounded leg. It eventually had to be amputated above the knee. She was forced to stop school and her life changed dramatically. She had always hoped of opening a small grocery store with rice, oils, and various foods and decided to use the loan to do that. She also received a prosthetic leg to allow her to walk without crutches.

Fatama suffered a motorbike accident at a young age that left her without a leg. Due to the traumatic nature of the event, she cannot remember clearly what happened. Now at 25, daily survival is a struggle. She has been interested in opening a shop with various drinks and used the loan to do that with an end goal of being able to support herself for years to come.

Abdul was a driver for the military during the war. He was 25 when his group was ambushed by the rebels. His parents were killed during the war as well. He had an interest in selling phone parts and used the microloan to start his business.

Aminata lost her leg 2 years ago in a bus accident. She was going from Tombo village to Waterloo when the bus had an accident, and she lost her leg. Her father died and she lives with her mother. She loves school, has an air of optimism and dreams of opening a small shop selling sweets to be able to support herself and possibly continue her education. We hope the loan will help Aminata to achieve her dreams.

Fibian lost her leg from a bullet, and her parents were killed in the war. Supporting herself was very difficult and she was often forced to beg for basic things like food and water. She dreamed of opening a clothes shop that sells both men and women’s clothes and used the loan to purchase supplies to aid in starting her business.

Obai was shot near the hip during the war and it caused a loss of function in his legs. He feels sadness when he sees able-bodied people moving and enjoying life, something he will never be able to do. Seeing his kids makes him feel happy but providing for them was near impossible. He opened a cosmetic shop with his loan to be able to support himself and them.

Mohammed lost his leg during the war and desired to open a shop selling coal to small businesses and that is what he was able to do with the loan. He draws happiness from his children and desires to help support them with this coal business he has started.

Kadiatu never felt good after her hand was cut during the war by the rebels. They attempted to cut off her other hand but were unable to do so leaving it attached but severely deformed without much function. She dreamed of opening a small shop selling condiments and supplying businesses to support herself and restore basic dignity which is what she did with the loan.