Sleeping Giant

Bassie Kargbo

“My definition of hero is someone I admire because of his wonderful qualities, character, contentment, nurturing styles, achievements, and service to others. A hero is also someone that overcomes obstacles for the benefit of others without regard to consequences.”

Bassie Kargbo lives in Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada. He attends university, raises his daughters and works every day. By appearance he is a kind, thoughtful, spiritual man, a good parent, a participating church and community member. It’s difficult to imagine where and how his life began. He was raised amidst war and revolution in Sierra Leone, Africa. Growing up in the Northern Province of Makeni, and later Mabureh, Bassie lost his mother early, saw his sisters raped and his father murdered.

“The most challenging aspect of my upbringing is based on two events: After the death of my mother, life became unbearable, especially growing up without a mother. However, what kept me strong as I continued my education was the power of God and the loving help of my dad. The second set back challenge came forth when the rebels killed my father. Sierra Leone is composed of all mineral resources that you can think about but still classed as one of the poorest in the world, prompted by selfishness and greed of the leaders. My father was killed by rebels because of failing to reach to their demands of money requested. My sisters were raped and I went through tragic situations. I saw our house and country in smoke as I fled to a neighboring country on foot.”

“I used to walk four miles to school and four miles back under hot burning sun and without lunch. That life was bitter, stressful, and deplorable. I got my little education through a life of struggle. Sometimes one survived at school through friends who were better off or lived on fruits along the bush pathway. No means of transportation is provided by government.”

“School starts at 8:30 am and ends at 2:30 pm. Imagine what time you’ll wake up to walk 4 miles to school and 4 miles back and be on a standby for the next day. This factor inspired me with this dream for a better future for the less fortunate kids as I was, to achieve their dreams of a better education without the same struggle as I.”

“The war broke out in 1990 and officially ended in 2002 in Sierra Leone. In January 1999, the rebels entered the capital in an operation they called ‘No Living Thing’. It was an operation of massive killing and burning of houses. I fled to a neighboring country called Guinea by the sea on a local made boat called “Canoe” and became a refugee. With no mom, dad, or relatives, I survived with hard conditions.”

Bassie spent years in Guinea working various jobs, and finally got to Senegal where he freelanced as photographer, then was hired as custodian and bass guitarist in a local church. For years Bassie’s prayer and submissions for passageway to the West seemed to fall on deaf ears. Then, one day an opening came through a charitable group called Sleeping Giant. They paid his rent until the door to freedom opened. Joined by his sisters and children, Bassie was on his way to a new life.

Students and teachers in garden

While Sleeping Giant is the name given to an organization that provided Bassie’s gateway to a new life, I see Bassie Kargbo as a wonderful example of one who has become a gateway himself. One who has awakened to the sleeping giant that lives within each of us. The hero of the great inside.

“The Mabureh project called 'Friends of Mabureh' is a grassroots organization started in January 2009. We started building a school in February from individual donations. The school is now on wall height. Friends of Mabureh is inviting all, with many hands work will be easier and together we can make the world a better place for the less privileged.”

Coordinator contact [email protected].

Mabureh board members in Thunder Bay, Canada

“The most remarkable event in my life is the day I stepped on the snowy streets of Canada on December 29th 2004.”

The journey to the West was not without a few adjustments. “The first transition was changing from a warm weather to a freezing climate. The second transition was on the area of jobs and payment from a monthly wage to weekly. The third transition was education wherein assessment is based on weekly, monthly and final exams instead of one final exam. All this transition created a positive impact in my life.”

Once in Canada, now settled with family and friends, Bassie could easily take it easy and simply enjoy the comforts of his new life. However, he will not forget his homeland and the thousands of children, who like he, are orphaned and trapped by the remains of the ravages of war. Without a sleeping giant rising to meet their need, they will never see the light of any hope.

“God gave me hope when hopes were almost failing. He brought me to Canada so that the less privileged will find a voice. A cry that will reach to donors around the world. The world is sending aid to governments to help their countries but this aids never reached those that needed it most. Children want to go to school but they can’t because they have to go to the farm for living. Parents can’t afford the means to send their kids to school.”

Bassie has coordinated a grassroots non-profit group called “Friends of Mabureh” to build schools, improve conditions, and expand education ultimately throughout Serra Leone.

There are approximately six thousand citizens of Mabureh. Two thirds of this number are school aged children twenty one years of age and younger. ‘Friends of Mabureh’ is building a junior high school. So far the walls are up, a first step for Bassie and his organization to help nearly 3600 children.

“Most of these children are orphans with parents killed during the war. They have no hope on what their future will be the next years to come; the only hope to give them is education. Life in that community is unbearable as survival is gained through wine tapping from palm trees, gardening, and farming. These children who are the future for tomorrow spend their time in farms and gardening.”

“Being a hero can be anything. Someone defending a calamity from happening, a teacher, a friend a brother, a sister, a mom or dad that had contributed in creating a positive impact in one’s life, or in a community.” Bassie’s parents are his heroes and he attempts to raise his children with the same values they presented to him. With a love of God, a desire to help others, and a passion to work hard.

“Raising my daughters and family life involves nurturing them in a Christian perspective. Teaching them to share, help others in need, and to love. The fear of the Lord is always the beginning of wisdom. Family life should involve contentment. These issues are some of the foundational characteristic traits we hope to form.”

“We all need inspirational heroes as role models for our lives, services to others, and family values. This positive inspiration will lead others to make the world a better place for the future generations.”