Smiling through

  A 12-year-old boy watches his country fall apart as villages burn to the ground while he and his family struggle to survive Sierra Leone's Civil War.
   Thousands are missing an arm, leg, or both, their limbs amputated by a group of rebels.
   The boy watches—after a decade the war ends when 17,000 troops from Britain disarm tens of thousands of rebels and militia fighters.
   Seven years later, Sahr Hemmor is now a Santa Ana College defensive lineman.
   "I used to live in a war place," said Hemmor. "It was no good. People would run from the rivers and stuff so they could survive."
   Known for its diamonds, Sierra Leone still struggles with poverty and unemployment, and its people live with the fear of being gunned down. To save her family, Hemmor's mother moved them to California, where she was living at the time. Right away, Sahr began enjoying life without a war.
   "It is safe," said the 5 foot 9, 200 pound Hemmor. "Sometimes I go to the gym at night and I don't have to worry about getting shot."
   With his success playing football at Pacifica High School, Hemmor hopped on a bus to Santa Ana College and went straight to Head Coach Geoff Jones and told him he wanted to play for his team.
   "He literally walked off the bus, came up here and said I want to play," said Jones. "I told him I don't know what position you are going to play or what role you will have, but you just made this team."
   As a freshman, Hemmor made an immediate impact, leading the Dons with 10 sacks through nine games. His biggest performance came in a 13-10 upset over seventh ranked Grossmont College where he had three sacks and recovered two fumbles.
   "He just shines. He runs faster than anybody and plays harder than everybody," Jones said.
   Ups and downs haven't stopped Sahr from always managing to keep a smile on his face. Coaches and players say that it is the best thing about him.
   "I have to smile. There is no way I can't smile because I have nothing to lose," Hemmor said.
   Hemmor plans on continuing his football career by coaching when his time at SAC ends. If coaching doesn't work out, then he plans on furthering his education in criminal justice. Coach Jones believes that Sahr can play football beyond SAC.           
  "Some coaches are going to say he is not big enough, but he will succeed," said Jones. "His future is going to be what it is here."
   With the war now an afterthought and a bright future ahead of him, Sahr takes the field with a knowing smile.