Kabba Kamara (10 Feb 1992 - 7 Dec 2015)

Kabba Kamara, born on 10 February 1992, died on 7 December 2015 at Royal London Hospital, aged 23 following a fatal stab wound to the abdomen after celebrating a friend’s birthday in central London.
“We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give”. Kabba truly lived a full life, always sharing and giving a helping hand to others.
Kabba was born in the iron ore mining town of Lunsar,Northern Province of Sierra Leone. Aged only 3-months his mother, Menah, travelled to the UK. Kabba and his siblings were raised by their grandmother. Following his mother’s death in 2001, Kabba and the rest of the family moved to England, settling in Southeast London.
Kabba’s charming smile and welcoming personality was evident at a young age. He blossomed in performing arts, starring in various John Stainer Primary Schoolproductions. In one school play Kabba jumped to the side of a friend who was too shy to read a poem aloud, reading it together.
Kabba was a natural leader, team player, and athletically talented. At Crofton Park Secondary School he became a school prefect and captained the school football team. Kabba motivated his team mates on and off the pitch, whether through encouraging jokes to keep their morale high or his regularly text messages to be punctual at trainingsessions. Kabba went on to play semi-professional football and was an avid supporter of Arsenal Football Club.
Kabba enjoyed helping others, especially children, inspiring him to study Health and Social Care at college.Kabba was an award winning youth volunteer with Peabodyand regularly assisted his local community elders with their shopping.
Raised a Muslim, Kabba found solace in being closer to God. At a point he enjoyed going to church, becoming a youth leader. His testimonies, and singing (a poor singer by his own admission) touched the hearts of many, bringing them closer to God. In later years he resorted to his childhood religion of Islam. Kabba would often accompany his grandmother to the mosque used by many Sierra Leoneans in Brixton.
Kabba was extremely kind to his family. A model son and grandson, he was always at home helping his elderly grandmother. Kabba always found time to assist other family members, helping move furniture, paint houses, proof read coursework, and job searches, to name a few. To his many nephews and nieces he was simply the best uncle. He was ever present in their lives, taking them to the park, entertaining their incessant questions and constantly spoiled them with treats. His greatest goal though was to be the best father so his 3-year-old son would never want for anything. Each moment with his son unlocked new levels of happiness and he constantly talked about the adventures they would go on and the passions, especially football, that they would hopefully share.
Having just embarked on a university course in business management, sadly we will never see Kabbagraduate, get married or achieve his other life goals. However, his ability to give selflessly, smile and various fun memories with him will live in our hearts forever.
Kabba Kamara is survived by his son, Khelan; his sisters Kadie, Ruth, Monica, Sia, Mariama; his brothers Mamoud, Foday, Hassan; his father Hassan; and his grandmother Mariama Sheriff.
On Friday 5 February 2016 we will be laying Kabba to rest at Grove Park Cemetry after Friday prayers at Masjid-ul-Qudus (Brixton Mosque, 180-182 Brixton Road, London,SW9 6AT), followed by a memorial ceremony from 4pm atWalworth Methodist Church Hall (54 Camberwell Rd, Camberwell, Greater London SE5 0EN).