Adopted young man returns after finding his roots in Africa

It’s a new chapter in the life of 19-year-old Usifu Bangura. His story began in Sierra Leone, Africa when his poverty stricken mother allowed him to be adopted to an American couple so he could have a better life in Montana.

A few years ago he reconnected with two birth siblings who had been adopted into a family in Idaho. Then he was able to track down his mother through the adoption agency in Sierra Leone.

After graduating from high school Bangura worked construction for a year to save up enough money to fly to Africa and meet her. He just returned from that reunion.

“It was very touching for me just being there — knowing this was my family,” Bangura said. “Getting to go there and see her was one of the greatest opportunities of my life. When I got to the village and saw my mom she ran right to me and started screaming and I just couldn’t say anything — it was one of those experiences you can’t put into words.”

Bangura was shocked at the poverty and general conditions there.

“The roads were not up to date,” Bangura said. “There was no water filtration. There’s no toilet system so disease is easily spread.”

In the village he received a warm welcome.

“America is the place of prosperity and if you’re from there you are automatically rich,” Bangura said. “So when an American comes to the village they give a lot of respect to you, so it was eye-opening to them.

Bangura had come prepared to help. He brought books for the school and water purification equipment to donate.

“The people really need help,” Bangura said. “People over there in a country like Sierra Leone where it’s one of the poorest in the world — having experienced it myself and seeing the type of poverty there is, they really need help.”

Visiting the land of his roots was a dream come true for Bangura.

“It’s always been an attraction for me to know where I came from and so this was a great opportunity to go back,” Bangura said. “And now I know — seeing the life I could have lived in Sierra Leone, and seeing the people I could have lived with compared to here – I’ve become more appreciative of my life here.”

Bangura’s mission in life is to continue to help. He has set up a non-profit organization to continue to bring aid to his village in Sierra Leone.