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Abu's Tale of Strength Amidst Disability and Displacement
In the quiet coastal town of Pemba, where the sounds of the ocean meet the gentle hum of daily life, Abu, a 32-year-old fisherman, stands as a testament to the resilience that can emerge from the most challenging circumstances. Abu's story begins in the tumultuous north, where violence forced him to flee his home, leaving behind echoes of explosions and the haunting memory of a hurried departure.
"I have heard the shooting, there were bombs exploding as well; I got scared and had to leave in a hurry. I fell and hurt my arm," he recalls.
Arriving in Pemba, Abu faced the challenge of finding employment, compounded by the additional obstacle of living with a disability. His journey took a different turn when he found an opportunity to work with the local fishing association with IOM’s support. Abu, who had struggled to find his place in a world that seemed indifferent to his challenges, found renewed purpose.
"When I was a child, I would play with other children without a problem, but as I grew older, I started to feel pain. I think it was because the bones were growing," he reflects. Abu learned fishing with his brother when he was still a young boy.
For the first time in his life, Abu has a wheelchair, donated by IOM, breaking down some physical barriers that once confined him.
"At first, my arms would hurt, but with time I think my arms got stronger. I was happy to have the wheelchair. On the parts with a lot of sand, it is harder... but often when I get stuck, the kids from the neighborhood help me out," he shares with a smile.
Now, Abu has found a new home in the Quirimbas Islands, where the cost of living is more manageable. Abu's story resonates not just as an individual triumph but as a path toward a more compassionate and inclusive society.
