“When I was younger I lived in a village with my parents, but they were killed during the war in our country.

My uncle took me to live with him and his wife in a nearby city. His wife did not like me. She did not feed me and she beat me. They sent me to work instead of letting me go to school. So I ran away to live on the street.”

Abas was born without a right hand and with a withered arm, which means he can only use his left hand. He wears a wet suit because he has no other clothes.

“I made money by dancing for people in the market. I spent two years living on the street, but it was not easy. The older street boys bullied me – they dripped candles and melted plastic on me.”

“One night, I met some people from Street Child of Sierra Leone outside a cinema. They invited me to their centre and I went the next day.”

“They gave me food and new clothes. I felt good again. They have helped me and now I am living a normal life and have gone back to school.”

Street Child of Sierra Leone saves hundreds of street children across Sierra Leone each year. It provides counselling, clothing, medical care, food, a safe place and unites children with a family member or a guardian. It also funds the children’s return to education or training and offers ongoing financial support to their families.

You can find out more about Street Child of Sierra Leone at: www.street-child.co.uk.