ISSA SAFE; Torture boy in UK.
Byline: AIDAN McGURRANTORTURE victim Issa Kamara has flown into Britain for an operation which will change his life - with the help of The Mirror.
The 10-year-old suffered appalling injuries after rebels in Sierra Leone roasted him over a fire. They raped his mother Mabinty and made her sing and clap as she was forced to watch.
He arrived here on Sunday after The Mirror and wellwishers paid for trip.
Yesterday he met doctors who will repair his burned face and do corrective surgery so he can use his damaged right hand again. Issa has had a series of blood tests, X-rays and photos for the surgery.
Aware of the shortage of pain-killers in Sierra Leone, he asked: "Will it hurt when they fix my hand?"
But Issa stayed cheerful throughout. Afterwards he put his thumbs up and said: "Fantastic". The Norwich-based Eastern Daily Press newspaper was asked to help after bringing African orphan Tenneh Cole, five, here for operations.
Readers sent money for Issa and The Mirror made a sizeable donation to his treatment at the Norfolk and Norwich Hospital.
At the hospital yesterday, Issa spoke of his ordeal. "I was afraid. I thought they wanted to cook me like a fish and eat me.
"When I was in the flames, burning, I thought I would soon be dead. I had no hope."
His trip here had been blocked by red tape but Deputy PM John Prescott intervened.
Contributions can be sent to the EDP Issa Appeal, EDP Newsdesk, Prospect House, Rouen Road, Norwich, NR1 1RE.
CAPTION(S):
BURNED: Issa Kamara
 Printer friendly
 Cite/link
 Email
 Feedback
| |
| Publication: | The Mirror (London, England) |
|---|---|
| Date: | Sep 11, 2001 |
| Words: | 262 |
| Previous Article: | 3am: HEAVY KATE. |
| Next Article: | Voices say farewell to The Voice. |
| Tortured boy flies in for treatment. |
| Torture boy looks forward to op. |
| Torture boy prepares for op. |
| African boy's joy at op in Britain. |
| New videotape embarrassing UAE government. |