Access to school makes Mariama a happy girl

Mariama joins her peers to receive learning materials from Building Futures for Children team, February 2021. Photo by Tommy Lengor, Save the Children

Mariama 9, just got a new wheelchair. To top it all, Save the Children refurbished her school and added a few facilities that have made her school day easier and enjoyable; a ramp for easy access to the classrooms and new disabled toilets with handwashing facilities. It seems like things are looking up for Mariama.

“This year is a year of happiness for me. Not only am I able to move around freely and feel like everyone else at school, I now have a desk I can attach to my wheel chair for my lessons.”

Mariama’s school is one of 21 schools in Kailahun and Pujehun districts constructed and renovated by Save the Children, through the Building Futures for Children project to improve access to safe, inclusive, and quality primary education. In addition to making schools disable friendly, the project also trained teachers on how to work with children with disabilities.

Mariama is now passionate about schooling more than ever. Every day she finds more reasons to attend and stay in school. She is optimistic about her future and is keeping her mind open on her career path.

My dream is to go to college. I want to be a role model for other children like me in my community.”