Three years ago, we delivered five mobility carts to a group of polio survivors who live and work together as metal workers on the outskirts of Freetown. Among them was Sorie Turay, a skilled welder who helped assemble the very carts his friends would use—despite the fact that both of his own legs are affected by polio. At the time, there weren’t enough carts for everyone, and Sorie went without.
On March 6, we returned with six more carts.
This time, Sorie received one of his own.
After years of helping others gain mobility while quietly waiting his turn, he could finally move freely himself. It was a simple moment, but a deeply meaningful one—and seeing his long-awaited gift become a reality made me really happy.
Sorie Turay, age 28, finally got his own mobility cart. He already knows how to ride it. Amidu Jaguti, age 36, was glad to also get a cart, though he admits he will have to practice riding it.
George Sankoh, a 51-year-old secondary school teacher and victim of polio, was the first to benefit from our gift of a battery powered wheelchair.