Abdulai Conteh, an eight-year-old orphan in the heart of Makiteh Community, Koya Chiefdom, begs on the street for care and assistance to survive.

The boy has become the subject of mockery among his coequal simply because he faces a debilitating illness that prohibits his mobility. This condition has not only restrained him from his education but has also left him helpless to the harsh facts of life.

Conteh’s incapacity to walk and his intractable throwing of feces have compelled him to tolerate isolation, as his equivalents and teachers blundered to apprehend and acclimate his unique needs, finally steering him away from school.

The young boy tragically lost both of his parents, Zainab Gbla and Sulaiman Conteh, leaving him under the supervision of an aunt who is incapable of providing the specialized sustenance he needs. At age 8, Conteh has been forced to beg for aid within his community.

Despite his condition, Conteh’s indomitable spirit can be seen as he navigates the Makiteh Community, using his arms to propel himself along, propelled by an undeniable determination to move forward.

Ramatu Conteh, the aunt who has taken him in, recounted the tragic circumstances of Conteh’s ailment. She explained that Conteh was born with a growth on his waist, which prompted his parents to take him to an undisclosed hospital for surgery.

“After the surgery, our family was hopeful that he would regain his ability to walk and that his overall health would improve. Sadly, his condition worsened,” lamented Conteh’s aunt.

She further disclosed that Conteh once had a wheelchair, but it was destroyed by his peers, leaving him with no choice but to use his hands and waist to move about.

The boy’s aunt expressed regret that the parents did not heed the advice of other family members who had advised against the initial surgery.

While the boy may not have been among those fortunate enough to undergo surgery abroad the Mercy Ship, one of the world’s largest healthcare vessels currently providing free surgeries in Sierra Leone, there may still be hope. The Ministry of Health operates a mobile clinic that has recently transformed the life of a young girl in Makeni who, after many years of immobility, is now able to walk independently following her encounter with the mobile clinic.

Conteh’s story serves as a poignant reminder of the squeezing need for convenient healthcare services and aid for powerless individuals in our communities. As Sierra Leone continues its efforts to improve healthcare accessibility, we hope that Conteh and others like him will receive the assistance they so desperately need.