“My father drowned when I was young. My mother remarried but, during the war, soldiers attacked our village. They set fire to our house and killed her.”

“My stepfather was shot and his leg badly damaged. The doctors had to amputate it. He was in hospital and unable to care for me.”

“I was forced to live on the streets. I made a little money by washing dishes. One day I won a school uniform. Even though I wasn’t registered at a school, I wore it and sneaked into class. The teachers didn’t notice because there were 80 children in the classroom.”

“I washed that uniform in the river every day. Sometimes I had to wear it when it was wet, which made me sick. I had to work again to raise money for medicine.”

“One night, staff from Street Child of Sierra Leone found me. I’m so glad they did. They spoke to my stepfather and convinced him to let me come home. Now they are helping him pay for my school.”

“We live on an amputee camp with other people who lost limbs in the war. Life isn’t easy but, for now, I am happy and proud.”

Street Child of Sierra Leone saves hundreds of street children across Sierra Leone each year. It provides counselling, clothing, medical care, food and a safe place, and unites children with a family member or 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.