By Alvin Lansana Kargbo
Lydia Amputee Foundation was officially launched on Tuesday February 17th, 2026 at the Freetown City Council Hall, marking a new initiative aimed at equipping amputees with skills, resources and psychosocial support to facilitate their reintegration into society and promote independence and dignity
The Foundation’s stated objectives include partnering with medical professionals, educators, clinical directors and disability advocates to advance prosthetics development, serve as a reliable resource for emerging prosthetic technologies and products, and contribute knowledge to prosthetic engineering. It also seeks to mobilize funding, technical expertise and institutional partnerships to improve the livelihoods of amputees across Sierra Leone.
Speaking at the launch, the Chief Executive Officer, Lydia Gray, described the event as the formalization of years of informal support to amputees and a milestone for innovation in disability support services. She said her engagement with amputees began while she was living in the United States, where she provided assistance to individuals on an ad hoc basis. Persistent requests from beneficiaries in Sierra Leone, she noted, prompted her to establish a structured organization to address the growing needs.
Lydia Gray disclosed that between 2020 and 2022 she provided personal financial support to individuals requiring medical treatment, basic necessities and livelihood assistance. Some beneficiaries attended the launch, underscoring the Foundation’s early impact.
The Chief Executive Officer identified common causes of limb loss among target beneficiaries, including road and motorcycle accidents, complications from conditions such as diabetes and sepsis, and injuries linked to past conflicts. She also shared her personal experience of losing her hand in a machine-related workplace accident approximately six years ago, noting that amputation was medically necessary to prevent life-threatening complications. According to her, the post-amputation period often involves psychological trauma, stigma, identity challenges and economic hardship, underscoring the need for comprehensive support systems.
The CEO emphasized that the Foundation’s launch represented the beginning of a long-term process of institutional growth and partnership development. She called for collaboration with Government agencies, private sector actors, development partners and civil society organizations to expand the Foundation’s reach and sustainability. The Chief Executive Officer said the organization aims to restore dignity, provide practical assistance and create economic and educational opportunities for amputees.
She reiterated that the Foundation stands for independence, hope and called on communities to replace stigma with inclusion and respect for persons living with disabilities. She said the Foundation’s programmes would prioritize safety, health, dignity and vulnerable groups, including children. Lydia Gray pledged accountability and transparency in the use of funds and invited public oversight to ensure that resources are directed solely toward programme implementation. She urged stakeholders to contribute to the initiative, emphasizing collective responsibility under the principle of “each one helping one.”
Delivering the keynote address, Albert Manley Mustapha, Public Relations Officer of the Single Leg Amputee Sport Association, criticized what he described as the persistent exclusion of persons with disabilities from decision-making and economic opportunities despite public commitments to inclusivity. He urged authorities and stakeholders to translate policy commitments into tangible participation and access.
Albert Manley Mustapha said persons with disabilities are capable contributors to society and should not be viewed as objects of pity. He called for changes in societal perceptions and encouraged amputees and other persons with disabilities to support one another through skills development, entrepreneurship and education. He stressed that empowerment, rather than charity, is critical to restoring dignity and building resilience.
Albert Manley Mustapha called on families, communities and institutions to provide sustained support and inclusion, arguing that people with disabilities can achieve comparable outcomes when given equal opportunities. He also appealed for financial, material and technical support from the private sector, international partners and Government to ensure the sustainability of the Foundation’s programmes. He noted plans for structured support initiatives designed to improve services and quality of life for amputees and other persons with disabilities.
The event concluded with a call for collective action under the theme: “Validation and Time for Transformation,” emphasizing the need for coordinated efforts to make inclusion a practical reality for people with disabilities in Sierra Leone.
