Twenty years ago, during the 11-year civil war in Sierra Leone, Abass Sesay, lost his right arm when he was just three years old.
His right arm was amputated during the county’s civil war.
During that same period, Abass lost his father and grandmother.
His mother, who survived the war, continuously battled Bipolar Disorder and PTSD (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder) due to the trauma from the war and her the condition of her son.
Bipolar disorder is a serious mental illness causing extreme shifts in mood, energy, and activity, from intense high to severe lows (depression), disrupting daily life, sleep, and concentration, and often requires lifelong treatment, including therapy and medication, for management.
PTSD is a mental health condition that can develop after experiencing or witnessing a traumatic event, causing persistent stress, fear, and intrusive memories (like flashbacks/nightmares), avoidance of reminders, negative mood changes, and heightened reactivity, significantly impacting daily life long after the danger has passed.
Just when you thought that’s just it, Abass was trafficked to Senegal when he was a kid, so he missed opportunities that were provided for Sierra Leonean war-affected children.
Abass had to wander around the streets of Freetown begging for food in order to survive.
Despite these early traumas, he did not give up.
Abass survived with the support of a Catholic priest (not named), who ran an orphanage, helping children in Sierra Leone navigate life after the war.
Against all odds; poverty, hunger, and losing his father and grandma, Abass did not give up on his dream to become educated.
He fought and fought until he conquered. Abass finally got the education he always wanted to get.
Today, he holds two degrees; a degree in Social Work and an LLB in Law from Fourah Bay College University of Sierra Leone.
“I want to become a lawyer, because my people, other war victims, need someone, who truly understands their plights,” Abass said.
I share this story to inspire the many young people out there, who think it is over, and that they cannot do it.
Remember, Abass lost his right arm at 3, his grandma, and father.
As a young African, who faces unexplainable suffering and challenges, I am deeply inspired by Abass’s resilience and determination in the face of unimaginable adversity.
He has shown us all that with determination, focus, courage, and consistency in what we do, we can achieve our dreams and be the change we yearn for.
Source: #Africa Dream