My narrative unfolds as a tale of providence and purpose. Professionally, I am a filmmaker, dedicating the majority of my life to this craft. In 2006, during a routine film shoot in Sierra Leone with celebrity actor and activist Isaiah Washington, my trajectory and destiny experienced a profound shift.

Vivid memories of the excitement and the profound connection I forged with the people of Sierra Leone remain etched in my mind. Despite being six years removed from a brutal civil war, I encountered boundless joy and resilience in every corner.

However, the course of my life took an unexpected turn upon my return home when I discovered I had contracted the deadly HantaVirus. In the grips of an intensive care unit, grappling with multiple organ failure, my heart stopped three times. Placed on a respirator, my prognosis was disheartening. In the dark hours of the night, clinging to life by a slender thread, I forged a pact with God: if I were to survive this harrowing ordeal, I vowed to return to Sierra Leone and contribute something meaningful to enhance the lives of the children who had deeply touched my soul.

While many of these children endured poverty, toiling in diamond mines, and barely scraping by with limited prospects for the future, their spirits radiated dignity and courage. I promised to do everything in my power to reciprocate the joy these children had generously shared with me.

My existence today is nothing short of a miracle, and the Adisa Baba Sports and Arts Academy stands as the tangible manifestation of my sacred promise.