1. Mohammed’s Story
Sierra Leone

2. Mohammed is 14 years old and lives with his mum, dad, sisters and brothers in a small village in Sierra Leone.

3. He was born in the middle of a civil war.
He doesn’t remember these years, but his mother, Jatto, says her main memory is of fear – fear of being captured and killed; fear of losing her baby son because she couldn’t find enough food to feed him.

4. When peace came, Mohammed and his family had no money, no food and no home.

5. This is four months in the year when nothing grows
This is four months in the year when nothing grows. People plant crops during the rainy season, from May until October. As food is scarce during this time, the price rises. Families like Mohammed’s often rely on foraging for wild food and borrowing money to eat during the hungry season.
Their life is made more challenging during Sierra Leone’s “hungry season”.

6. When I was hungry, we didn’t have any food in the home
When I was hungry, we didn’t have any food in the home. I felt my stomach cry out in pain and my head turned. I felt weakness.

7. I believe that God created us and gave us life
I believe that God created us and gave us life. When we have no food, I pray to God to help us and to make provisions for us.

8. CAFOD’s partner, Caritas Kenema, worked with Mohammed’s family to transform diamond mines into fertile farmland.
The diamonds once helped to fund the country’s civil war, but they are very difficult to find. Unearth one and you may never see another in your life.

9. Mohammed’s family has been trained to grow rice, corn and potatoes
Mohammed’s family has been trained to grow rice, corn and potatoes. The family can sell any extra food they do not need and save the money they make. Mohammed’s mum hopes to use these savings to send him to school next term.
With the food they grow from the land, they can survive Sierra Leone’s “hungry season.”

10. School is very important for me because I can get a job and money and bring benefits to my parents.
Mohammed desperately wants to go back to school himself.

11. I don’t want to be in this
When I am older,
I don’t want to be in this
hardship any more... I would like to buy a home for my mother and father and for
them to live with me so that
I can support them.

12. Mohammed wishes to have a better life and be able to help his parents more.
What do you wish for?