Amilata's Story 

Amilata Bangoa is ten years old and in Class one at FAWE Goderich School, located on the outskirts of Freetown in Sierra Leone. This is the first school she has ever attended.

Amilata lost both parents during the war and now lives in Goderich with her aunt and uncle. She has no brothers, she did have one sister but she was also killed in the war. "One day I met the head teacher and told her of how I dreamed of going to school. The she arranged for me to have a uniform and shoes and now I can go to school."

Before school Amilata collects water and sweeps her house. After school she helps her aunt sell snacks, they rely solely on her aunt's income as her uncle does not have a job.

Amilata loves going to school, "I can now write my name and I know the whole alphabet and can count and can even speak a little English. I could do none of these things before. I have learnt so much in such a short time and I am looking forward to learning lots of other things as well."