Yaya Fatty is an 18-year-old young man living in Busumbala, Gambia, the little brother of Lamin Fatty, a 23-year-old orphan who has dedicated his life to raising and protecting the children around him.
If you've followed our story before, you know Lamin. He's the same young man who, earlier this year, rallied this community to bring clean water to 150 families in his village.
What happened
On the day of Eid, Yaya was struck by a car. He is currently at Danielcrospha Medical and Health Service in The Gambia, where doctors have assessed his injuries as very serious. The medical report, dated March 24, 2026, lists the following:
- Spinal cord injury requiring surgery
- Broken leg requiring bone relocation
- Loss of consciousness at the scene
- Significant blood loss requiring 3 pints of transfusion
- Currently unable to walk
The prescribed treatment is surgical operation for both the spinal cord and the broken leg, followed by blood transfusion, medication, and crutches for recovery. The total treatment cost documented by the hospital is 148,000 GMD, roughly $2,000.
There are no government safety nets here. There is no insurance. There is no backup plan. There is only Lamin, a young man who has already given everything he has, and a brother who needs help right now.
This comes after an already devastating year for this family. Lamin lost another brother last year. He is carrying grief and responsibility that most people his age will never know.
Why I'm involved
I'm Ayoub Abedrabbo from Tampa, FL. I've known Lamin for 5 years. Over that time I've supported him quietly in whatever ways I could, helping with food for his family when things got tight, sending money for Eid supplies so the kids could celebrate like every child deserves to. I'm not writing this to pat myself on the back. I'm writing it because I know this family, I trust this family, and right now they need more than I can do alone.
Earlier this year I personally coordinated Lamin's water well campaign, sending funds in documented transfers with receipts posted for every dollar. That campaign raised $1,957 and now 150 families have clean water. Every transfer was receipted. I received nothing.
This is the same level of accountability I'm committing to here.
What we need
We're raising $2,000 to cover the full hospital bill of 148,000 GMD, plus transfer fees to send the funds safely. Every dollar goes directly to Lamin via SendWave or Remitly, the lowest-fee options available. I receive nothing. All receipts will be posted publicly as funds are sent.
How to help
- Donate whatever you can. $10 is real. $25 is real.
- Share the link with someone who might give. That matters just as much as donating.
- Follow for updates as funds are sent, surgery is completed, and Yaya recovers.
Lamin has been carrying his family since he was a teenager. Let's carry him, just this once.
Ayoub Abedrabbo, Tampa, FL
Organizer
