Eleanor's story starts in a village called Tongo in the eastern province of Sierra Leone. She grew up with other children, enjoying the love of her family, the warmth of the sun, wildlife, and the authentic sound of running streams. A breezy evening in 1998 changed her life beyond imagination. At the age of 10 years old, Eleanor accident
Eleanor's story starts in a village called Tongo in the eastern province of Sierra Leone. She grew up with other children, enjoying the love of her family, the warmth of the sun, wildlife, and the authentic sound of running streams. A breezy evening in 1998 changed her life beyond imagination. At the age of 10 years old, Eleanor accidentally stepped on a land mine that ripped off the lower part of her right leg below the knee and almost amputated her right arm. She thought she would die but against the odds she survived and got my education and a job in Freetown. Now she is a grown woman with a daughter of her own, She does not want other disabled kids to go through the abandonment she experienced. Kids with disabilities should be valued. That’s why she started the Disability Empowerment Movement of Sierra Leone, Demsl.org.
Louise (known as Kona in SIerra Leone) met Eleanor in 2018 on an evening walk along Lumley Beach. She was visiting Sierra Leone as part of her work for the World Bank. Eleanor was playing soccer with the Single Leg Amputee Soccer Association SLASA at the time. The two exchanged contacts and kept in touch. A year later Louise became a f
Louise (known as Kona in SIerra Leone) met Eleanor in 2018 on an evening walk along Lumley Beach. She was visiting Sierra Leone as part of her work for the World Bank. Eleanor was playing soccer with the Single Leg Amputee Soccer Association SLASA at the time. The two exchanged contacts and kept in touch. A year later Louise became a founding member of the Disability Empowerment Movement Sierra Leone. Louise has established a link to a soccer club in Brooklyn AYSO, and connected Eleanor to the NGO ASPIRE and Prosethetics In Motion who are helping her to take her first steps on two legs.
Billy Davis is a New York amputee athlete, fitness professional, and real estate agent. In May 2012, he lost his leg in a tragic motorcycle accident. Despite this set-back and the months of recovery that followed, this former division one track athlete, born and raised in Kansas, has not let his new disability stand in the way of his ach
Billy Davis is a New York amputee athlete, fitness professional, and real estate agent. In May 2012, he lost his leg in a tragic motorcycle accident. Despite this set-back and the months of recovery that followed, this former division one track athlete, born and raised in Kansas, has not let his new disability stand in the way of his achievements. Every year since he has spent the month leading up to his “ampu-versary” raising money for limb-loss causes and organizations. When he met Eleanor by chance in Brooklyn in July 2019, he helped connect her to organizations that could help her walk again. Not only this, but he encouraged her every painful step of the way. He was so inspired by her story that he joined the Board of Directors of DEMSL in January 2020.
Kendrick was born in Freetown Sierra Leone and attended the Prince of Wales secondary school in Freetown. He has a certificate inEngineering and training in Marketing, Sales, Customer Care, Human Resources, and Operations. Kendrick met Eleanor Massah Abdulai in 2018,and seeing her passion for the cause of disabled people, he got intere
Kendrick was born in Freetown Sierra Leone and attended the Prince of Wales secondary school in Freetown. He has a certificate inEngineering and training in Marketing, Sales, Customer Care, Human Resources, and Operations. Kendrick met Eleanor Massah Abdulai in 2018,and seeing her passion for the cause of disabled people, he got interested and volunteered for DEMSL. Now he spends much of his free time helping demsl with procurement and working to build a strong team of volunteers in Freetown and throughout Sierra Leone.
Isha is disabled Sierra Leonean who grew up Freetown. She was fortunate enough to receive an education and succeeding in earning a Diploma in Business Management and a Bsc in Human Resource Management.
It's a blessing for Isha working as a Volunteer for DemSL because she knows how it feels and what it takes to go through discrimination. No
Isha is disabled Sierra Leonean who grew up Freetown. She was fortunate enough to receive an education and succeeding in earning a Diploma in Business Management and a Bsc in Human Resource Management.
It's a blessing for Isha working as a Volunteer for DemSL because she knows how it feels and what it takes to go through discrimination. Now she wants to give back to help less privileged children in Sierra Leone.
Isha considers it a great honor to be part of DemSL because of the good team spirit, love & oneness among ourselves.
Ibrahim works for the Bank of Sierra Leone. He has known Eleanor since 2016 and saw the passion and love within her for people living with disabilities, especially children, orphans and street kids. Ibrahim encouraged and supported Eleanor to found DEMSL. He has been part of every DEMSL activity because he believes in Eleanor and knows s
Ibrahim works for the Bank of Sierra Leone. He has known Eleanor since 2016 and saw the passion and love within her for people living with disabilities, especially children, orphans and street kids. Ibrahim encouraged and supported Eleanor to found DEMSL. He has been part of every DEMSL activity because he believes in Eleanor and knows she is determined to change the narratives of these children. Ibrahim is the Finance Administrator and Field Operations Manager for DEMSL.
Brittany is a Washington, DC-based strategic communications and change management consultant. Raised on the Northside of Minneapolis, MN, Brittany has always been an advocate for those in need and a believer in the global community. After meeting Louise at a wedding in March 2020, she was so inspired DEMSL’s mission and founder that she joined as a volunteer.
Coming soon....
Moeba is a volunteer for Demsl Sierra Leone. He has a BSc. in Human Resource Management and is taking a Minority Inclusion at certificate present. Morba was inspired to work with Eleanor since 2015 when he met her one evening on an impromptu visit. The discussions and stories he heard were sad but she always gave Morba something to smil
Moeba is a volunteer for Demsl Sierra Leone. He has a BSc. in Human Resource Management and is taking a Minority Inclusion at certificate present. Morba was inspired to work with Eleanor since 2015 when he met her one evening on an impromptu visit. The discussions and stories he heard were sad but she always gave Morba something to smile about in the midst of every story. So a few years later, when Eleanor did start her organisation the Disability Empowerment Movement, Morba became one of the first volunteers for demsl