Hawa's Story

Hawa is 13 and lives in the south east of Sierra Leone with her aunty. Hawa's eyesight started to deteriorate a few years ago, and now she is almost blind.

Monday 3 April 2006

"I think the government should pay for health services to help poor people, so that sick people like me can get well again.

"At times now, my eyes get very dark and I can hardly see. I was not born with bad eyes.  My eyes started itching and they got worse.  I don't know why. I wasn't treated then; there was no money. 

"I live with an aunt, because my parents are dead.  Last year, my aunt borrowed some money and we went to the clinic.  They said my right eye is very damaged and that I won't be able to see again from it.  They also said I need urgent medicine to stop the disease getting worse. 

"I went to the hospital just twice.  It cost 40,000 leones (about £8). My aunt hasn't finished paying off the loan yet. And we can't go back because there is no more money.

"I like school, I like learning, and education is good.  I want to be a nurse; I want to help people who are sick."

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