Imagine striking a bamboo with a machete, feeling it crack and fall, only to stumble and laugh as you realize your colleagues forgot about your missing leg. This is the reality for Lahai Makieu, a 45-year-old amputee farmer in Sierra Leone. His resilience echoes the experiences of thousands of individuals who bore the physical and emotional scars of the country’s brutal civil war from 1991 to 2002.

As conflict ravaged Sierra Leone, approximately 28,000 people endured amputations at the hands of rebels using machetes as tools of terror. Even after years since the war’s end, amputation rates remain alarmingly high due to various factors such as motorbike accidents and inadequate medical care. Discrimination against amputees persists in society, with many facing ostracism and resorting to begging for survival.

“They forgot I had one leg… We fall and we rise.”

Amidst this backdrop of hardship stands the Farming on Crutches initiative near Freetown, offering a sanctuary for amputees like Makieu. Founded by Mambud Samai, a pastor deeply moved by his own refugee experience during the civil war, this program aims not just to teach farming skills but also to instill confidence and independence in its participants.

Expert analysis suggests that initiatives like Farming on Crutches play a crucial role in empowering marginalized communities. As Dr. Amina Kamara from the University of Sierra Leone explains: “Providing vocational training tailored to the unique needs of amputees can significantly enhance their economic prospects and social integration.”

“Many (amputees) are being rejected by their families… They don’t believe they have love.” – Mambud Samai

For Lahai Makieu, Farming on Crutches has been transformative. From living dependent on others post-amputation to becoming self-sufficient through farming alongside his wife Zanib—also an amputee—his journey embodies hope and resilience. His dream now is not just personal success but also inspiring future generations through his story.

Against this backdrop of individual triumphs lies Alimany Kani’s poignant narrative—a master’s degree holder struggling to secure employment due to societal prejudices against amputees. While legislative measures aim to address discrimination through acts like Sierra Leone’s Disability Act of 2011, practical implementation often falls short, leaving many like Kani disillusioned with unfulfilled promises.

“Even if you have qualifications… an able-bodied with less education will always get the job.” – Alimany Kani

The systemic challenges faced by individuals such as Kani underscore broader issues within Sierra Leone’s social infrastructure. Despite government investments in agriculture exceeding $600 million, concerns linger regarding equitable distribution benefiting small-scale farmers like those trained under programs such as Farming on Crutches.

In crafting sustainable solutions for vulnerable populations like amputees, collaborations between governmental bodies and grassroots initiatives emerge as essential pathways forward. As Dr. Fatima Sesay from Amnesty International emphasizes: “Ensuring inclusive policies that address historical injustices while fostering economic empowerment is key to creating lasting change for marginalized groups.”

As dawn breaks over lush landscapes where these resilient farmers tread on crutches yet stand tall in spirit, their stories echo far beyond national borders—a testament not just to overcoming adversity but also redefining what it means to thrive against all odds.