Yeabu Kargbo - On to High School

This is about Yeabu Kargbo of Sierra Leone.
During the civil war her father was killed, and her mother abandoned her.  She lived with a family at Rochen Junction, providing childcare, cooking and cleaning in exchange for food and a cot.  Periodically she was allowed to attend school, but fell far behind her peers. 

Every time I traveled to Sierra Leone, I would check on Yeabu.  Unlike most others, she never said "I want to go to America."  She just dreamed of being a nurse in her own country.

In an attempt to get herself an education, with some foreign sponsorship, she moved to Freetown.  In order to catch up, she attende school during the day, staying after for special classes, worked with a tutor  in the evening, and did additional work every weekend.  She ended up graduating number two in her class and gained entrance into high school. 


Her goal was to become a nurse.

While still in high school, she was attacked by a much older man.  He went to jail, but she became pregnant.  She moved back up country, forced to leave school and take care of her baby.

All contact was lost.

A recent graduate from the University of Washington (Cooper Inveen) and a student (Philip Gbla) found Yeabu.  With tears in her eyes, she told how she survives by selling small bags of rice in the market.  Her dream is still become a nurse.


Yeabu                                           Cooper                            Philip

We have identified a home and guardian in Freetown, providing a safe place for Yeabu to return to her education.  She and her son will need food, clothes, medical care and school fees to make this happen.

Interested in helping?


If you have questions, please give me a call.


Dan Lavin