Double Amputee Corporal Tamba Ngaujah Speaks!

Double Amputee Corporal Tamba Ngaujah Speaks!
The decade long war in Sierra Leone affected every Sierra Leonean, directly or indirectly. One unique case is that of Tamba Ngaujah, the soldier whose two hands were cut off by RUF rebels on November 21st 1992.

Awareness Times News Editor, David Jabati, caught up with Mr. Tamba Ngaujah who narrated his story and explained how he is carrying on with his life right now. His story is one of courage and deep Christian faith in the face of adversity.


Cpl. Ngaujah, the double amputee is shown here seated at Awareness Times


Mr. Ngaujah was born in Kono District in 1960. He attended the UMC Primary School in Kono but was unable to continue his secondary schooling because of lack of funding. When he left school in 1975, Tamba assisted his parents on the family farm and he remained a plantation worker until the rebel war started in 1991.

According to Mr. Ngaujah, the Kono Tribal Heads chose him and other young men to assist the Sierra Leone Army as vigilante hunters.

"While I was serving as a vigilante, the rebels made their second attack on Kono and captured me and two of my vigilante colleagues. Upon searching us, they discovered our Hunter Identity Cards on our persons. This greatly enraged the Rebel Commander who was referred to as Commander ‘Scared de Baby’ by his men. The Commander then ordered one rebel who was simply known as "Killer" to deal with us. Right in front of me, my two colleagues were beheaded. When it came to my turn, the rebels decided that they would instead send me with a ‘message’ to the then-Head of State, Captain Valentine Strasser.. They cut off my two hands and hung a letter around my neck which was addressed to Captain Strasser. I was then sent off bleeding profusely. I spent three days in the bush staggering around until I arrived at the Army headquarters in Koidu, Kono District. I had already lost the rebel’s letter by that time. The military commanders acted very swiftly by transferring me to the 34 Military Hospital in Freetown where urgent surgery was done on me." Ngaujah narrated.

Whilst in the hospital at the 34 Military, he was formally incorporated into the army and was made a corporal in 1996 which is the rank he holds to date. He is provided for as a corporal and is housed at the Wilberforce Barracks.

Asked how he was facing life with his disability, Ngaujah responded that his strong faith in the Christian religion has been his rock all this time.

Asked how he survives with two wives and eight children in the face of the current adversity, he replied thus, "My Prayers and Christian Faith helped me go through the tough emotional times, especially on days when I go through the whole day without having a single penny in my pocket. My wives and children are my constant source of courage. They are my gift from God and they have been very supportive of me. My wives take turns to bath and dress me every day. I am very much appreciative of their individual and collective roles in my life", he said.

Ngaujah also stated that his children are a constant source of pride to him as they are all brilliant in school and come home with good reports. The eldest child, Tamba will be taking the WASSCE this coming year and the eighth child is in Class One at the moment. Ngaujah whose faith in God was very inspiring, stated that nothing surpasses education in this world which is why he is striving to see that all his children go through school. He stated that he knew deep inside himself that at least one of his children will one day do something big for Sierra Leone. He regularly attends the St Luke Catholic Church at Wilberforce every Sunday.

Asked about Family Planning especially when he already has eight children and is expecting a ninth child, he stated, "My wife wanted us to terminate this pregnancy but I refused because there are people who spend millions looking for children and they never succeed. I trust God for my provisions. The same God who saved my life whilst I spent three days bleeding in the bush will surely provide for me and my children." Ngaujah however stated that both his wives will be joining a Family Planning Clinic to ensure that they do not get pregnant again.

Ngaujah stated that the second wife is engaged in petty trading between Kono and Freetown, but that the proceeds are not enough to sustain the family.. He said that although times could be very hard in the family, he was very proud to state that his family was a happy one. "We make a lot of sacrifices and we are going without a lot of things, but we are a happy family. I thank the Lord for that. When our only television in the house got broken, we found other means of entertaining ourselves. We would love to get another television if someone donates one to us but for now, we tell stories to each other in the evening", he stated.


Our reporter David Jabati interviewing Cpl. Ngaujah at Awareness Times premises
Ngaujah stated that he has never come across any of the rebels who cut off his hands. However, he stated that he had forgiven them and left everything in the hands of the Almighty. "If I come across the rebel who cut off my hands now, I will tell him that I have forgiven him", he said.

Mr. Ngaujah also used the opportunity to express his thanks to all his friends and sympathizers who are helping him out.. He also thanked the government of President Kabbah especially the Ministry of Defense and the British IMATT for the rehabilitation of the military. He said that soldiers are once again seeing it as a pride to walk around in their uniforms. He however appealed to the authorities to look into the issue of education, by providing scholarships for children of soldiers especially the War Affected soldiers. He pointed out that the war victims in the military were largely ignored by Donors and the NGO Community. He mentioned other soldiers who lost their eye sights through bomb blasts as well as soldiers who suffered amputations. He appealed to Donors not to overlook these soldiers even as they build houses and pay school fees for civilian war victim children. He also reminded the authorities not to forget their promise made to him to assist him with permanent shelter for his family.

Corporal Ngaujah is also appealing to readers to assist him with any form of humanitarian assistance. He gives his address as L5 Wilberforce Barracks, Looking Town.

Mr. Ngaujah has won many awards for his courage starting from the National Award given him by popular Radio Producer, Hilton Fyle in 1994 up to the much sought, All Works Of Life Award in 2004.