It is the dream of everyone who migrates to urban centres from rural and deprived areas to be able to make the best out of non-existing chances. They join the hassle of town life; living and working under bizarre conditions. However, they nurse the hope of making it somehow, someday.
Driven by this hope of realizing what they aspire for in life, they press on, forgetting the hardship they have to endure and sacrifices they have to make. Though they perform menial jobs for people, surprisingly! Their safety and welfare is often overlooked.
These individuals suffer several inhumane treatment and injustice at the hands of wicked people. As they roam the streets of these cities, they are always prone to vices such as rape, accidents and risk of being killed for ritual purposes.
Atule Elvis is one of such individuals whose dream of becoming a teacher has been shattered when his move to Kumasi from Bongo in 2013 in search of money ended abruptly after a month because he was rammed into by a moving vehicle in the course of performing his duty.
But what necessitated the move from Bongo to Kumasi and what exactly was he doing?
“In 2013 after completing Senior High School education, I decided to travel down south to see what I can do for myself in the next level. I went to make some money to pursue a dream I have always had. When I went I was selling khebab,” broken Atule said.
Although the 24-year old man couldn’t vividly remember how the accident happened, he recalls that “i was at my workplace close to the roadside washing bowls when a car knocked me. I woke up five days after to see myself in the hospital, that is all I can remember,” he recalled.
Like many other poor people, justice eluded young Atule as the driver who rammed into him have since been left off the hook walking free whiles he suffer. Atule recalls that though an arrest was made, the driver has been left to go scot free. He noted that his family have had to bear the cost of his treatment for over two years he has been paralyzed.
“The driver was found and they made some arrest. However, I do not know how far the case travelled and the where about of the driver, my bills were catered for by my family members,” he said.
Seeing twenty four years old Atule crawl from his room to the veranda where we had a conversation was heart-breaking. Atule struggling to get hold onto his clutches and moving at a tortoise pace in pain to demonstrate how he walks is devastating.
“I can’t walk; I am always seated at one place from morning to evening. Even if I should walk, I need the clutches to aid me do that. My spine has been affected and although the broken bones are healed, my legs are weak so anytime I try walking on my own I fall,” were the words of Atule as he described the pain he endures every passing day.
Medical Condition
Atule Elvis as a result of the accident has a broken left clavicle and broken leg bones. Medical experts say the fractures could be corrected only if Atule sees an orthopaedic surgeon to implant a pin and plate (placing a metal on the broken bone). However, they explain that with the number of years Atule has stayed without medical care, his condition can possibly be aggravated and therefore needs serious medical attention.
Eye On The Ball
A product of Bawku Senior High Technical School, Atule in his sick chair still nurses the dream of becoming a teacher.
“I completed Bawku Senior High Technical School. My intension for the next level in life was to go to the teacher training college to become a teacher. Though I am handicapped now, I still want to be a teacher, I am sure I can make it if I get help.”
Appeal for Help
Although Atule is expected to be going for regular checkups and also finance a possible surgery to get him up on his feet, the lack of financial support has left him to the mercy of his bed.
Atule is appealing to the kind people of Ghana to come to his aid to help foot his medical bills and also get him up on his feet.
“I will want to appeal to the general public that any support that they think is okay to help me to walk again, I will be grateful to receive it.”
By Offei-Akoto Ayeh | A1RADIOONLINE.com | GHANA
