Alieu is completely blind. Before joining his local school at Bakoteh, he attended a school for the blind. He did not like the blind school and is happy at Bakoteh.

Alieu now has the chance to learn the same things as his sighted friends do. “I have many friends here and I like my teacher,” he says.

His teacher explains that: “Alieu is a top student and consistently comes top of his class in his monthly tests. I am amazed by his senses and intelligence, how he moves around without a cane and is able to participate in games with other children”.

Alieu says: “My favourite subjects are social studies and English. I walk two kilometres to and from school with some friends from another class. My best friend Mam sits with me in class. I want to get a hand held Braille kit so that I can do my homework at home.

“I am good at frying eggs and often do this for the whole family when they have eggs. My teacher taught me this. She visits me at home once a week to teach me different skills.

“I have a close relationship with all my brothers and sisters and like to go out on the street and play with my friends”.

There are millions of children in the world who are missing out on education because they are blind or who could be helped to see again. You can learn more about our work supporting children like Alieu: www.sightsavers.org/kidzone.