“I ran to the streets when I was eight years old because my family was abusing me. I lived in a village, but I convinced a bus driver to drive me to the nearest city.”

“When I arrived I felt very bad. I was hungry and could not sleep in the noisy street with mosquitos biting me.

“In the morning I went to the market to beg for food. I met a woman who said she would pay me to take her rubbish to the dustbins. I found an abandoned car to sleep in.

“Sometimes I saved enough money to go to the cinema. It was so great, but then I would have to go back to the street.

“I was robbed many times. I even had my clothes taken and I was left naked and cold.

“One night I was sleeping in the market and some other boys told me about Street Child of Sierra Leone. I really hoped they would find me so I could get away.

“Now that I’m with Street Child, I am clean and feeling well again. My body is stronger and healthier. I am happy because now I can go to school.”

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.