Always on
This project successfully funded on 5th May 2026, you can still support them with a donation.
Sierra Leonean Family Fire Tragedy
Monmouth, Wales, United Kingdom
Aim
Help a family who have lost everything in a fire to rebuild a home.
Lahai and Zainab met on a training course organised by Farming on Crutches (FoC), an organisation which helps amputees in Sierra Leone by teaching them regenerative farming. Lahai is now the manager of the training farm where Zainab manages the poultry. Until a few days ago they were living in a small house some distance from the farm, together with Mariama, another amputee farmer. Lahai, Zainab and Mariama, who between them have three children, grow food for the community as well as help other amputees to become self-sufficient farmers.
Life is extremely tough in Sierra Leone, particularly since the 15-year civil war. It’s hard to access food, clean water, medical care or good housing. But nobody suffers more than amputees. Marginalised within society, it is impossible for them to get jobs and they are often denied public transport. Many are disowned by their families, become homeless and must beg on the streets.
Mariama became an amputee aged three when her village was attacked by rebels. Her father carried her on his shoulders and ran but they couldn’t escape. He was shot and killed and the bullet that killed him hit Mariama in the leg.
Lahai was 16 when his village was attacked by rebels. He tried to run but was shot in the leg.
Zainab was a small child when she lost her leg - hit by a car in her local village. She was taken to hospital but didn’t receive the right treatment and the leg was amputated.
Despite these heartbreaking losses, and the trauma of being marginalised, all three of them have become respected farmers through diligence and hard work and created both a life and a home for themselves and their children.
On 21 January they returned home to find that their home had gone – destroyed by fire. "All that we had in our lives is gone" says Lahai. "Not a single thing was saved. Before our house burned down we were poor, but we were living. We had some food from the farm and a shelter over our heads. Now we are homeless and our living situation is unstable."
Their local community in Freetown has done what they can to help – providing clothes and some kitchen utensils . But being a poor community themselves, there is only so much they can do. At the moment all six of them are sleeping on the floor in a tin shack which they could lose at any moment if the owner needs the space. Then they would be on the streets.
“For now it is possible for me to sleep outside as I'd only have to worry about mosquitoes”. Says Lahai. "But my kids cannot and my two-year-old daughter is suffering from malaria. And when the heavy rains come in May this will not be possible!
“We are pleading to whoever is hearing us to please help us get a place where we can lay our heads to sleep!" Says Mariama.
How we can help:
What they need more than anything is shelter. A home for them and their children. A simple and standard mud brick house with a tin roof. And if possible, a method of rainwater harvesting. It must be weatherproof, especially during the monsoon season and safe for themselves and their possessions. Somewhere to live.
To have such a house before the monsoon starts, construction must be completed by May. It is impossible to build with mud bricks during the rainy season. Being a simple design, construction should only take about 3-4 weeks.
That's why I have created this Crowdfunder page to raise £7,500. I am here in Sierra Leone, working with these people, and I can see how desperately they need help. Any amount you can give will help them have a home. The funds will be sent to Farming on Crutches who will oversee the construction.
Sierra Leone is one of the poorest and most challenging places in the world to live. Life is a constant battle here, even when you have a home. I hope that you can contribute something towards this family having a roof over their heads before the rains come. Thank you for your interest and concern.
- Should you want to know more about Farming on Crutches, last October they were featured in an episode of Fixing the World on the BBC World Service, which included the design and building of the Amputee Wheelbarrow. The BBC also put out this clip on several platforms.
Funding method
Keep what you raise – this project will receive all pledges made