First and foremost it remains the best thing I have ever done in my life. I arrived in Sierra Leone on 19th January 1992 as a VSO volunteer to teach typing to young women returning to the education system. However, there was a teachers’ strike on, so I was invited to visit the Milton Margai School for the Blind to see if I would like to use my spare time to read to the blind children and organise games, etc., with them. I was told about the School history and then the children sang for me…….and oh! What such amazingly beautiful angelic voices! I was so moved and the only thought in my mind was – I want to work here, I have to work here! During the next few months, I asked VSO to let me transfer (as it happened, another volunteer was available to teach the young women) and I was granted my request and started full time at the School in September 1992. In 1994, VSO left Sierra Leone and since that time I have found my own funding.

I teach the Class 6 pupils typing on ‘ordinary’ portable manual typewriters, so they can use the written word when they are integrated into secondary schools and college/university, to do their assignments, exams, etc. We had one boy (reading Law) at the University who is now employed at the Special Court. We also had one girl, who until her untimely and early death was a senior receptionist with Rokel Commercial Bank. I also transcribe printed books, etc., into Braille (which I taught myself) and assist with all aspects of administration. I liaise with organisations and individuals both here and overseas to get assistance for the School.

There have been a couple of times when I was not happy – two times to be precise – once in 1997 when, four weeks after the rebel incursion, I had to leave Sierra Leone for my own safety; and again, in May 2000 when there was again trouble, and I was evacuated. The time I had to spend away from the School was very difficult because, although I knew it was “better to be safe than sorry”, I felt very guilty at leaving the children behind and not knowing how they were.

As time went on, I was able to keep in touch by phone and, having a strong Christian faith, I had a firm belief that I would return to Sierra Leone on both occasions.

Like many people, I still find it hard to understand what possessed the rebels to inflict such devastation to property and the incomprehensible atrocities and mutilation to their fellow country men, women and children; it is beyond the normal human being’s understanding. The scenes of devastation and the sadness and desolation of the people I saw is something that even now still touches me very deeply.

The positive picture in all this is that, thanks to the British Joint Forces/IMATT (and UNAMSIL), who did so much to bring peace to the country and who are continuing to do tremendous work here and are very much appreciated and respected by the people, there is still a hope that we will have continuous and lasting peace and a better future which, after all, is what these warm, friendly and resilient people deserve.

In August 2003, I was one of the organisers that took our 35-member School Choir and 5 staff on a Concert Tour throughout the United Kingdom. The Tour was a well publicised, tremendous success, with the final concert being performed in the prestigious Westminster Abbey in London.

In June 2004, I was very surprised, privileged and honoured and exceedingly happy to be awarded the MBE, personally presented to me by HM The Queen.

I pray that I may be able to continue with my work here in the wonderful Milton Margai School for the Blind and help these blind children acquire a good education and help them to a better future.