In the rural heart of The Gambia, where the earth is cracked and dry under the relentless sun, survival is not guaranteed. It is a daily battle. It is in this unforgiving landscape that Sheriffo Samateh, a 27-year-old orphan, carries a burden far heavier than most men will ever know. With his parents gone, the responsibility of an entire family now rests solely on his shoulders. He is not just fighting for his own survival but for that of his ten younger siblings and his stepmother, Majakoba. Each of them looks to him for guidance, for protection, and for the simple necessities of life that are never promised. Despite his unwavering determination, the world has offered him no path forward. The Daily Struggle for Survival For Sheriffo and thousands like him across The Gambia, basic necessities such as food and clean water are not guaranteed. They are not simple human rights, as they should be, but luxuries that often slip just out of reach. Each day presents a new and exhausting challenge. Finding enough food so that his younger siblings do not go to bed hungry Securing clean water in a land where access is limited and unreliable Finding a way to earn money, despite having no formal education and no land to cultivate. His younger siblings, Ousman (11), Bacarry (9), Martin (4), Maria (12), Jainabu (10), Ajo (4), Bambe (7), Famatu (5), Binca (3), and Essa (13), depend on him for everything. Each of them has dreams, hopes, and a future that is slowly slipping away in the face of relentless poverty. His stepmother, Majakoba, does her best, but without a stable income or land to farm, their lives remain in constant uncertainty. A Childhood Stolen by Hardship Sheriffo was once like any other child, with dreams of an education and a future beyond the limits of poverty. When his parents passed away, everything changed. Instead of continuing his education, he was forced to drop out of school. This was not because he lacked ambition but because survival became his only priority. Without an education, his opportunities have been stripped away. The formal job market is closed to him. The one thing that could offer stability, agriculture, is also out of reach because he and his family own no land. The Harsh Reality of Rural Life In the villages of The Gambia, land is everything. It is the key to survival, to self-sufficiency, and to hope. Yet land ownership is a privilege and not a right. The wealthy control most of it, and corrupt systems ensure that the poor remain without resources. Sheriffo and his family rely on farming, but with no land to call their own, they are forced into a fragile existence dependent on the mercy of others. Without ownership, they cannot plant their own crops, they cannot build stability, and they cannot escape the cycle of poverty that has gripped them for generations. A Dream of Stability and Dignity Despite the crushing weight of his circumstances, Sheriffo refuses to give up. His dreams are not about extravagance but about dignity. He seeks a chance to break free from the chains of poverty and build a life where he and his family can stand on their own. His vision is clear. A small piece of land would allow his family to cultivate crops, grow vegetables, and create a sustainable source of income by selling their produce at the village market. Owning land would provide food, security, and a future. A taxi could transform their lives by providing a steady income. In The Gambia, transportation is a crucial service, and owning a taxi would allow Sheriffo to earn money consistently. This would ensure that his siblings never have to go hungry again. The Reality of a Broken System Sheriffo’s story is not unique. It is the story of thousands of young Gambians who have been abandoned by a system that does not provide for its most vulnerable. It is a system where education is a privilege, where opportunity is scarce, and where even the simplest dreams, such as owning land or having a stable job, remain unreachable for those born into poverty. His struggle is not just about survival. It is about the fundamental right to live with dignity. But resilience alone is not enough. No one should have to fight this hard just to exist. A Call to Action Sheriffo is not asking for riches. He is not asking for handouts. He is asking for a chance. A chance to work, to provide, and to build a future where his siblings do not have to live in constant fear of hunger and uncertainty. This heartbreaking reality can be changed. A single act of support could be the turning point in his life. It could mean the difference between another day of suffering and the first step toward a better future. A small donation could help secure land, giving them a sustainable source of food and income. A contribution toward a taxi could provide a reliable job, freeing them from the chains of poverty. The question is no longer whether Sheriffo will keep fighting. He always will. The question is whether someone will stand with him. This is not just a plea. It is an opportunity to be the reason that one family, one young man, and ten children finally have hope. Sheriffo is ready to change his life. But he cannot do it alone. Will you be the one to help him?