“I used to live with my aunt because my parents were killed in the war, but she was very poor. She made money by selling cigarettes, but it was not enough to pay the rent.

“I thought I could make money for her on the streets and pay for school. But I ended up living there for two years.

“My cousin lived on the streets with me and we stayed together to be safer. One night we found some money, but we didn’t keep it. We took it to our aunt so she could stay in her house.

“Another night, we were attacked by older boys. We were helped by some kind strangers who gave us bandages for free because we had no money.

“One night, a man from Street Child of Sierra Leone found us and invited us to the street child centre. I felt ill when I arrived and they told me I had malaria. They gave me medicine and I felt better.

“I might have died on the street without help from Street Child. Now I am at school and hope to become an engineer.”

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.