Thousands of children in one of Africa’s poorest nations have returned to school five years after ebola almost tore the country apart thanks to an appeal by charity Street Child.
Among the youngsters to benefit are cousins Ousman and Asuma, who lost their parents among 36 relatives.
Three years ago, the Evening Standard met their uncle Zidane Konneh, whose survival story earned him the nickname “Lazarus” from aid workers.
After contracting the disease he was pronounced dead by medics and placed in a body bag for burial before a British doctor noticed his foot twitch.
He now supports several ebola orphans in his village, as well as helping Ousman and Asuma’s family as a breadwinner and ensures both children attend school.
Street Child, supported by the Standard, was among NGOs delivering aid during the height of the crisis.
Last year the charity’s Right To Learn appeal raised more than £1.2 million, which was matched by the UK Government’s UK Aid Match scheme, to enable 18,600 children in West Africa to attend school.
Ousman, 15, said: “After my parents’ deaths I struggled to provide food, clothes and basic things that I needed.I came into contact with Street Child and they helped with school items and food as well.
“The support for my education was most important because I can focus on my studies. I want to stay in school and study law so I can protect my family and other underprivileged people.”
Asuma, 12, lives with an aunt near her primary school. She said: “It is hard and I miss my family, but I am grateful to go to school. I love it and especially enjoy science. My life has got better since coming to school and I want to work hard.”
The virus was first detected in Sierra Leone in May 2014 and within six months became an epidemic, with 4,000 deaths recorded.
It took 18 months for the World Health Organisation to declare the country ebola-free in March 2016.
An estimated 12,000 children lost one parent or was made an orphan as ebola spread through towns and villages.
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About 60 per cent of Sierra Leoneans live in rural areas outside the capital of Freetown or cities such as Kenema, and travelling to school often involves a two-hour trek. The financial burden of caring for children orphaned by ebola falls on extended families, while young people quit school or fall into crime to earn money.
Momodu, 15, was orphaned by ebola and lost six of his siblings. He now lives with his aunt near Kenema. “It still is hard to know I will never see them again, but I am happy again,” he said.
“I enjoy going to school and I like learning English. Before ebola I did not go to school and was given lessons at home. I have hopes for the future and want to continue my studies.”
Through Street Child’s family business grant scheme, his aunt Mariatu now runs a business buying household items from wholesalers to sell at her local market.
In the Democratic Republic of the Congo, a fresh ebola outbreak has been declared.
More than a thousand have died. Sarah, Duchess of York, a founder-patron of Street Child, said: “The Evening Standard has always shown brilliant support for Street Child’s UK Aid Match appeals. I am delighted that we’re able to show readers the impact that donations to Street Child have made to the lives of some of the most vulnerable children in Sierra Leone.”
Visit street-child.co.uk.
