Injured Farmer and His Young Son Struggle to Survive in Remote Bong County

BONG COUNTY — Mulbah Sackie, a resilient farmer from Goekai Town in District #5, has faced unimaginable hardships after a severe accident left him with broken forelimbs and legs. Despite his injuries, Mulbah continues to farm, relying on the soil to support his family. His physical challenges have made it difficult for him to walk steadily, and his weakened hands are unable to handle strenuous labor.

By Rancy Clarke, Contributing Writer

Mulbah’s family, consisting of his wife and eight children, depends entirely on him for survival. However, none of his children are in school due to his inability to afford the fees. “I feel terrible that my children aren’t going to school, but I simply don’t have the money,” he lamented.

Every morning, the family treks about twenty minutes to their farm on the outskirts of town. For the past 30 years, Mulbah has relied on farming, lacking any other skills to support his family. “I don’t know any job besides farming because I did not go to school. I was a teenager when both my parents died, leaving me no option but to become a farmer,” he explained.

Mulbah’s condition has worsened, preventing him from maintaining the farm and taking on other labor contracts. His hands no longer have the strength to use the manual equipment he once depended on. The family’s meals are sparse; they often have only two cups of rice to eat and sometimes go to bed hungry.

In the face of these challenges, Mulbah’s third son, Lucky Sackie, has stepped up. Despite his young age, Lucky has taken on the role of his father, creating a small rice farm to help feed the family. “My father was very helpful to our family, but I don’t understand why God allows him to suffer like this. I joined a group farming activity known locally as ‘kuo,’ and my friends helped me make this farm,” Lucky said.

Lucky does not know his exact age, as his father only remembers he was born when they made a large rice farm near the town. This lack of precise birth records is common in remote Bong County. Despite appearing small, Lucky is likely around 15 years old.

The Sackie family lives in extreme poverty, experiencing the harshest conditions. They are appealing for support to improve their standard of living and provide a brighter future for their children.