Gold / 2021 / Portraiture / Other

Flying Stars - Amputee Footballers of Sierra Leone

The civil war in Sierra Leone (1991-2002) not only killed more than 50,000 people, it also led to thousands of innocent civilians having legs, arms or hands forcibly amputated by rebel soldiers. Or removed by landmines and bullets.

The Flying Star Amputees are a group of football teams across Sierra Leone born out of the adversity of this war.

All the players are victims of civil war amputations, and football has brought them joy, confidence and hope for a better future for disabled people in Sierra Leone.