I grew up in Bama, Borno State, until Boko Haram attacked our town. In the chaos of that day, an explosion tore through the market, caused by someone with a bomb strapped to her waist. Waking up in the hospital and realising I would never walk the same again was the darkest moment of my life. My right foot had to be amputated. I received treatment for almost three months at the hospital, but due to financial crises, my parent couldn’t continue, so I was discharged. I was afraid I would have to abandon my dreams and start from scratch.
When I returned to Maiduguri, I saw many men like me who had lost limbs. Many turned to begging, but I told myself, “They took my leg, but they won’t take my dignity.” I began learning tailoring through a programme organised by an NGO in our IDP camp. It was difficult at first, balancing on one leg and trying to sew, but I refused to give up.
The NGO noticed my determination and linked me up with partners that focus on such cases and took full responsibility for my hospital bills. I was then later taken back to the hospital for further treatment. After some assessments, they supported me with a prosthetic leg. That moment was life-changing. For the first time in years, I stood upright on two legs again. The feeling gave me confidence that my life was not finished.
With their support, I received a sewing machine, fabrics, and some start-up capital. I opened a small tailoring shop, and slowly, customers began to come. At first, some only wanted to “encourage” me, but soon they returned because my work was neat and professional.
Today, my shop sustains my family. I have even trained two younger boys in tailoring, giving them skills for the future. Sometimes people ask me why I never begged on the streets like others in my situation. My answer is simple: “Losing my leg was not my choice, but losing my dignity would have been.”
Thanks to the support of the NGO, not only did I rebuild my livelihood, but I also regained my mobility and my confidence. Boko Haram took much from me, my leg, my home, and my peace, but they could not take away my will to live and to dream again.
As narrated by: Ibrahim Goni Ali (Maiduguri, Nigeria).
This snippet is published as part of a series, The Day Boko Haram Attacked.
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