Panta District, Bong County - In January last year, as he celebrated the birth of his 4th child with the unveiling of the largest farm in his District that year, Edwin John may have well found it difficult to believe he would ever be considered dispensable in an area he is well-touted as a highly-rated farmer since his manhood.

Awarded with the head position of the Panta District farming group at the start of this year, the hard-working Edwin, 52, responded by accumulating over 4,000 bags of ‘country rice’ from his productivity.

His efforts subsequently gained recognition from the Central Agricultural Research Institute (CARI) here in Bong County when he was awarded an assortment of farming utensils as a supplement.

Presenting the items at the time, CARI’s team leader Aaron Marshall said the institution was overwhelmingly moved with the huge quantity of rice cultivated by an individual in a farming year and as such it was prudent to complement his efforts.

Marshall also revealed that CARI’s intervention was aimed at encouraging Edwin’s colleagues and creating a platform for a competitive farming season among the local farmers.

“We feel by giving out farming utensils to our farmers who have worked so hard during the farming season will further motivate them and even increase competitiveness among them,” Marshall disclosed as he heaped praises on Edwin.

But Edwin’s successful farming streak soon ended when he experienced a tiny rash on his jaw that later degenerated in a swollen jaw that now leaks ‘offensive water’ all day.

It has even prevented the proximity of sympathizers who always pay him a daily visit, family sources revealed.

Despite seeking several surgery operations at different hospitals across the country, Edwin’s condition is far from improvement and has undeniably deteriorated rapidly to the astonishment of vast majority of Panta District residents.

And that has glaringly defined the end of his farming occupation, as he revealed in a FrontPageAfrica interview: “The enlargement of my jawbone prevents me from doing farming work now. I feel so much pain from each step I take and that has restricted my movement.”

No Longer breadwinner

One of the great mysteries Edwin said that has since plagued his family’s survival is his poor health. He added: “It has become so difficult for my family to fetch for their daily bread since I took sick. My wife doesn’t have the strength like me to do what I previously did prior to my poor health.”

It is indeed a circumstance that will take Edwin’s family years to overcome following his emergence as the breadwinner of a family of five whose survival solely depends on proceeds that are generated from the sale of vegetables and ‘country rice’.

As Edwin’s wife puts it: “The last few months are the worst period they have ever endured as a family.” She continued, “All of the children are now out of school all due to our failure to commit ourselves to school fees.”

Family members unsure of recuperation

Having fought in vain to preserve Edwin’s farming capabilities for over four months, family members in a frank interview with FrontPageAfrica say they are acutely convinced that their relative’s poor health will linger for long once he does not seek exile medication. Some say in the absence of advanced medical attention it would be difficult for Edwin to recuperate

Said Wesseh Zoryou: “Edwin initially underwent surgery at Phebe Hospital and was told to do further surgery out of Liberia. And looking at the financial status of our family we cannot afford what the doctors recommended.”

Zoryou also told FrontPageAfrica the family was obviously aware of the potentially devastating effects Edwin’s illness is having on his family. Zoryou continued: “The family is wholeheartedly aware of the constraints Edwin’s family faces but can do nothing due to its financial impotency.”

Edwin ‘demands’ Death

Given the explicable and embarrassing nature with which Edwin has lived for the past 18 months since his unfortunate situation, the former Panta District farmer said he would only consider death as an alternative.

“I just want to see myself six feet below this earth. Enough is enough. I have suffered too long and can no longer continue,” he revealed in a dejected manner.

Continuing, he added: “It is so painful to the extent I do not eat I only rely on water for survival.” Relatives even disclosed that Edwin had twice tried to commit suicide but was discovered by his fiancée.

For any financial assistance, Edwin could be reached through his relative Wesseh Zoryou, a senior student at Cuttington University on cell number 0886812335