Dembo's Fight for Life

Hello, my name is Nakrin Chantabul. I am humbly asking help for Dembo, my chosen nephew, and his struggling family who resides in Gambia, West Africa. I am looking for those with open hearts and stability in their own lives for any help you can offer. If you have a little bit of time, allow me to share with you our story.

Back in the Summer of 2023 I had met a man who goes by John Clarence Fossum. John was a wild character and absolute madman. However, as I got to know John, I realized how big his heart is, his giving nature, and his unrelentness efforts to spread love and light in this beautiful, yet sometimes very cruel world.

John, would later introduce me to his best friend, Dembo Mankara. There was not a day that he would not speak of Dembo and his family, and about how when the time is right that he had every intention of making him his son. John has been helping to feed and house Dembo and his family for some time now. However, John himself has fallen upon some hard times and is struggling to support his extended family. Before I continue, allow me to introduce to you Dembo and his family.

[Pictured: Dembo, 19]

[Pictured: Niyama, his Mother, 47]

[Pictured: Isatou, his younger Sister, 16]

[Pictured: Fatou, his middle Sister, 8]

[Pictured: Mariama, his youngest Sister, 5]

[Pictured: Bamorro, his younger Brother, 11]

[Pictured: Wally, his youngest Brother, 3]

If you've made it this far, I thank you for your consideration. Now allow me to tell you about Dembo and his situation. As I stated above, Dembo was born and lives in Gambia, West Africa. Some of you readers may already know the poor state of Gambia is in and how difficult it is to survive there. As of 2015 almost half of the population fails to meet the basic cost of living, which is GMD1,503 (USD22.22) per person. This is not even including basic healthcare. You may have noticed and wondering for yourself, "Where is their Father?"

I recently found out that Dembo's Father had fallen terribly ill and is no longer able to be their for his family. This leaves Dembo to be the Man of the household at an unfair age. They have been unable to make ends meet and were evicted from their home they were residing in. They hardly have any food to eat and are squating in a collapsed home. This is the current state of him and his family.

The "home" they reside in has no doors or roof. This leaves them exposed to the extreme elements of the desert, wild animals, and intruders. If you have ever been to the desert then you will no just how hot it can be and how much colder the nights can get. Now, if I still have your attention, and you are willing, this is how we can help.

Our first goal is to get the family back into a safe shelter they can comfortably call home. This is only $200, a very small goal with the right amount of generous and loving souls. To fill their stomachs costs about $100 every two weeks, although they won't go hungry, this budget leaves them with very little nutrition but at least they won't starve. If we are able to reach a goal of $500 dollars, we will he able to house, feed, and clothe this family of seven. $500 to house, feed, and clothe Dembo and his family, so why did I set the goal at $5000? Let me explain.

Dembo is a man of God, faithful, resilient, humble, and proud. He does not value himself highly because of having to survive off of others. He wants to be self sufficient and make his family proud of him, more importantly, he wants to be proud of himself. This is where the bigger goal comes into play.

Dembo has offered a solution of becoming a taxi driver or operate a donkey cart to transport goods and people. He explained to me that this is the best way he can create a stable income in his area. To do this he will need GMD200,000 (USD2,956.40) This is the price of the taxi, not including expenses. Now if we are to go the cheaper route, that would cost us GMD125,000 (USD1,847.75) This will be enough to buy a cart and donkey, excluding the cost of feed and cost of building a stable. With $5000 we can house, feed, clothe, and help this family become self sufficient.

Now I'm sure you have heard of the age old adage, "feed a man a fish, he will eat for a day. Teach a man to fish, and he will for a lifetime." Up until this point, John has only been able to feed his extended family to fish. If you can find it in your hearts to make any kind of donation, together, we can teach Dembo how to fish. God Bless.

P.S. Feel free to contact me at any anytime if you have any questions, would like to meet John or Dembo, and/or if you would like to hear of updates on our situation!