Lil Moses Fukar, age 17 disabled

The tale of Moses Fukar, a 17-year-old residing in the impoverished slums of Monrovia’s New Kru Town, is a testament to resilience and self-confidence as he strives to overcome obstacles and reach greater heights despite his disability.

From birth, Moses faced significant challenges, being born with one limb and the other deformed. His aunt, who sells cold water and doughnuts for a living, took on the responsibility of caring for him after his mother nurtured him until the age of five (5) in Liberia’s Southeastern region. The move to the city offered new possibilities for young Moses, but financial struggles plagued his education as his aunt could barely afford school requirements and fees.

Despite the hurdles, Moses currently attends a government school and has recently been promoted to Grade 8. However, the future remains uncertain for the next academic year due to his aunt’s inability to fund his education further. Adding to his challenges, Moses experiences stigma and bullying from people in his community due to his disability. Even in school, some of his peers refer to him as “the boy with one hand,” cruelly using his disability against him.

His childhood experiences in a rural village named Gbongonjelly, Government Camp, in Sinoe County were filled with struggles as others misunderstood his condition and labeled him a witch. Yet, moving to Monrovia brought him hope and an opportunity to escape such torment. However, his fears of rejection and lack of acceptance continued to haunt him, making it difficult for him to gain support from the community.

Despite all these challenges, Moses remains persistent and determined. He uses a public hand pump to fetch water for his home, carrying a six-gallon container using his one hand. Out of his mother’s six children, Moses is the only one attending school and dreams of becoming a teacher to uplift his siblings and mother’s life and impact other children like himself positively.

Moses’ disability has not deterred him from pursuing his goals and dreams. However, without the support of his school, community, and financial assistance, his aspirations may remain unfulfilled and overshadowed by darkness. With empathy and understanding from those around him, Moses can conquer the odds and achieve greatness in his journey towards a brighter future.