Sierra Leone, Freetown, June 2002.
‘Milton Margai’ is the only school for the blind in Sierra Leone. Approx. 85 children, 4 to 18 yrs old, study and live here. In 1998, when RUF-rebels attacked Freetown, the school had to be evacuated. In 1999 it was bombed. Some of the children lost their sight because they were brutalised by the rebels.
Early dawn. Kinny Mattia tries to feel the morning light.
Sierra Leone, Freetown, June 2002.
‘Milton Margai’ is the only school for...READ ON
Sierra Leone, Freetown, June 2002.
‘Milton Margai’ is the only school for the blind in Sierra Leone. Approx. 85 children, 4 to 18 yrs old, study and live here. In 1998, when RUF-rebels attacked Freetown, the school had to be evacuated. In 1999 it was bombed. Some of the children lost their sight because they were brutalised by the rebels.
Early dawn. Kinny Mattia tries to feel the morning light.
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Sierra Leone, Freetown. April 2003
‘Milton Margai’ is the only school for the blind in Sierra Leone. Approx. 85 children, 4 to 18 years old, study and live here. In 1998, when RUF-rebels attacked Freetown, the school had to be evacuated. In 1999 it was bombed. Some of the children lost their sight because they were brutalised by the rebels.
A blind boy walking trough the school.
Sierra Leone, Freetown. April 2003
‘Milton Margai’ is the only school for...READ ON
Sierra Leone, Freetown. April 2003
‘Milton Margai’ is the only school for the blind in Sierra Leone. Approx. 85 children, 4 to 18 years old, study and live here. In 1998, when RUF-rebels attacked Freetown, the school had to be evacuated. In 1999 it was bombed. Some of the children lost their sight because they were brutalised by the rebels.
A blind boy walking trough the school.
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Sierra Leone, Freetown. April 2003
‘Milton Margai’ is the only school for the blind in Sierra Leone. Approx. 85 children, 4 to 18 years old, study and live here. In 1998, when RUF-rebels attacked Freetown, the school had to be evacuated. In 1999 it was bombed. Some of the children lost their sight because they were brutalised by the rebels.
Portrait of Abú's eye.
Sierra Leone, Freetown. April 2003
‘Milton Margai’ is the only school for...READ ON
Sierra Leone, Freetown. April 2003
‘Milton Margai’ is the only school for the blind in Sierra Leone. Approx. 85 children, 4 to 18 years old, study and live here. In 1998, when RUF-rebels attacked Freetown, the school had to be evacuated. In 1999 it was bombed. Some of the children lost their sight because they were brutalised by the rebels.
Portrait of Abú's eye.
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Sierra Leone, Freetown, June 2002.
Milton Margai School for the Blind.
Students run down the stairs, going back to their room.
Sierra Leone, Freetown, June 2002.
Milton Margai School for the Blind.
Students run...READ ON
Sierra Leone, Freetown, June 2002.
Milton Margai School for the Blind.
Students run down the stairs, going back to their room.
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Sierra Leone, Freetown, June 2002.
Milton Margai School for the Blind. Children learn braille, English, and typewriting in preparation for their adult life outside the school.
A student enters the classroom while others are reading.
Sierra Leone, Freetown, June 2002.
Milton Margai School for the Blind. Children learn...READ ON
Sierra Leone, Freetown, June 2002.
Milton Margai School for the Blind. Children learn braille, English, and typewriting in preparation for their adult life outside the school.
A student enters the classroom while others are reading.
6 / 21
Sierra Leone, Freetown, June 2002.
‘Milton Margai’ is the only school for the blind in Sierra Leone. Approx. 85 children, 4 to 18 yrs old, study and live here. In 1998, when RUF-rebels attacked Freetown, the school had to be evacuated. In 1999 it was bombed. Some of the children lost their sight because they were brutalised by the rebels.
Portrait of two friends in their classroom.
Sierra Leone, Freetown, June 2002.
‘Milton Margai’ is the only school for...READ ON
Sierra Leone, Freetown, June 2002.
‘Milton Margai’ is the only school for the blind in Sierra Leone. Approx. 85 children, 4 to 18 yrs old, study and live here. In 1998, when RUF-rebels attacked Freetown, the school had to be evacuated. In 1999 it was bombed. Some of the children lost their sight because they were brutalised by the rebels.
Portrait of two friends in their classroom.
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Milton Margai School for the Blind. Children learn braille, English, and typewriting in preparation for their adult life outside the school.
A blind student reading a braille book.
Milton Margai School for the Blind. Children learn braille, English, and typewriting in...READ ON
Milton Margai School for the Blind. Children learn braille, English, and typewriting in preparation for their adult life outside the school.
A blind student reading a braille book.
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Sierra Leone, Freetown, April 2003. Milton Margai School for the Blind. Children learn braille, English, and typewriting in preparation for their adult life outside the school. They dream of being admitted to Freetown University some day. Braille book.
Sierra Leone, Freetown, April 2003. Milton Margai School for the Blind. Children learn...READ ON
Sierra Leone, Freetown, April 2003. Milton Margai School for the Blind. Children learn braille, English, and typewriting in preparation for their adult life outside the school. They dream of being admitted to Freetown University some day. Braille book.
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Sierra Leone, Freetown, June 2002. Milton Margai School for the Blind. Students in their classroom waiting for the teacher.
Sierra Leone, Freetown, June 2002. Milton Margai School for the Blind. Students in their...READ ON
Sierra Leone, Freetown, June 2002. Milton Margai School for the Blind. Students in their classroom waiting for the teacher.
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Sierra Leone, Freetown, June 2002.
‘Milton Margai’ is the only school for the blind in Sierra Leone. Approx. 85 children, 4 to 18 yrs old, study and live here. In 1998, when RUF-rebels attacked Freetown, the school had to be evacuated. In 1999 it was bombed. Some of the children lost their sight because they were brutalised by the rebels.
Portrait of two friends in their classroom.
Sierra Leone, Freetown, June 2002.
‘Milton Margai’ is the only school for...READ ON
Sierra Leone, Freetown, June 2002.
‘Milton Margai’ is the only school for the blind in Sierra Leone. Approx. 85 children, 4 to 18 yrs old, study and live here. In 1998, when RUF-rebels attacked Freetown, the school had to be evacuated. In 1999 it was bombed. Some of the children lost their sight because they were brutalised by the rebels.
Portrait of two friends in their classroom.
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Sierra Leone, Freetown, June 2002.
Milton Margai School for the Blind. Children learn braille, English, and typewriting in preparation for their adult life outside the school.
A student listening to a teacher's question.
Sierra Leone, Freetown, June 2002.
Milton Margai School for the Blind. Children learn...READ ON
Sierra Leone, Freetown, June 2002.
Milton Margai School for the Blind. Children learn braille, English, and typewriting in preparation for their adult life outside the school.
A student listening to a teacher's question.
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Sierra Leone, Freetown, April 2003. Milton Margai School for the Blind. Children learn to play music: drums, piano, flute, and they learn singing. As street musicians, some children could make a small living for themselves. Kinny Mattia plays the piano.
Sierra Leone, Freetown, April 2003. Milton Margai School for the Blind. Children learn to...READ ON
Sierra Leone, Freetown, April 2003. Milton Margai School for the Blind. Children learn to play music: drums, piano, flute, and they learn singing. As street musicians, some children could make a small living for themselves. Kinny Mattia plays the piano.
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Sierra Leone, Freetown, June 2002. ‘Milton Margai’ is the only school for the blind in Sierra Leone. Approx. 85 children, 4 to 18 yrs old, study and live here. In 1998, when RUF-rebels attacked Freetown, the school had to be evacuated. In 1999 it was bombed. Some of the children lost their sight because they were brutalised by the rebels. In the classroom, a student cover his eyes, after looking straight into the light.
Sierra Leone, Freetown, June 2002. ‘Milton Margai’ is the only school for the...READ ON
Sierra Leone, Freetown, June 2002. ‘Milton Margai’ is the only school for the blind in Sierra Leone. Approx. 85 children, 4 to 18 yrs old, study and live here. In 1998, when RUF-rebels attacked Freetown, the school had to be evacuated. In 1999 it was bombed. Some of the children lost their sight because they were brutalised by the rebels. In the classroom, a student cover his eyes, after looking straight into the light.
14 / 21
Sierra Leone, Freetown. April 2003
‘Milton Margai’ is the only school for the blind in Sierra Leone. Approx. 85 children, 4 to 18 years old, study and live here. In 1998, when RUF-rebels attacked Freetown, the school had to be evacuated. In 1999 it was bombed. Some of the children lost their sight because they were brutalised by the rebels.
Portrait of Kiny Mattia in his bedroom.
Sierra Leone, Freetown. April 2003
‘Milton Margai’ is the only school for...READ ON
Sierra Leone, Freetown. April 2003
‘Milton Margai’ is the only school for the blind in Sierra Leone. Approx. 85 children, 4 to 18 years old, study and live here. In 1998, when RUF-rebels attacked Freetown, the school had to be evacuated. In 1999 it was bombed. Some of the children lost their sight because they were brutalised by the rebels.
Portrait of Kiny Mattia in his bedroom.
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Sierra Leone, Freetown, June 2002. Milton Margai School for the Blind. Children learn braille, English, and typewriting in preparation for their adult life outside the school. Examination day. A student’s reading skills are tested.
Sierra Leone, Freetown, June 2002. Milton Margai School for the Blind. Children learn...READ ON
Sierra Leone, Freetown, June 2002. Milton Margai School for the Blind. Children learn braille, English, and typewriting in preparation for their adult life outside the school. Examination day. A student’s reading skills are tested.
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Sierra Leone, Freetown. April 2003
Milton Margai School for the Blind.
Children rest in their bedroom.
Sierra Leone, Freetown. April 2003
Milton Margai School for the Blind.
Children rest in...READ ON
Sierra Leone, Freetown. April 2003
Milton Margai School for the Blind.
Children rest in their bedroom.
17 / 21
Sierra Leone, Freetown. April 2003
‘Milton Margai’ is the only school for the blind in Sierra Leone. Approx. 85 children, 4 to 18 years old, study and live here. In 1998, when RUF-rebels attacked Freetown, the school had to be evacuated. In 1999 it was bombed. Some of the children lost their sight because they were brutalised by the rebels.
Portrait of Kiny Mattia.
Sierra Leone, Freetown. April 2003
‘Milton Margai’ is the only school for...READ ON
Sierra Leone, Freetown. April 2003
‘Milton Margai’ is the only school for the blind in Sierra Leone. Approx. 85 children, 4 to 18 years old, study and live here. In 1998, when RUF-rebels attacked Freetown, the school had to be evacuated. In 1999 it was bombed. Some of the children lost their sight because they were brutalised by the rebels.
Portrait of Kiny Mattia.
18 / 21
Sierra Leone, Freetown. April 2003
‘Milton Margai’ is the only school for the blind in Sierra Leone. Approx. 85 children, 4 to 18 years old, study and live here. In 1998, when RUF-rebels attacked Freetown, the school had to be evacuated. In 1999 it was bombed. Some of the children lost their sight because they were brutalised by the rebels.
A blind boy resting on his bed.
Sierra Leone, Freetown. April 2003
‘Milton Margai’ is the only school for...READ ON
Sierra Leone, Freetown. April 2003
‘Milton Margai’ is the only school for the blind in Sierra Leone. Approx. 85 children, 4 to 18 years old, study and live here. In 1998, when RUF-rebels attacked Freetown, the school had to be evacuated. In 1999 it was bombed. Some of the children lost their sight because they were brutalised by the rebels.
A blind boy resting on his bed.
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Sierra Leone, Freetown. April 2003
‘Milton Margai’ is the only school for the blind in Sierra Leone. Approx. 85 children, 4 to 18 years old, study and live here. In 1998, when RUF-rebels attacked Freetown, the school had to be evacuated. In 1999 it was bombed. Some of the children lost their sight because they were brutalised by the rebels.
Feeling a friend.
Sierra Leone, Freetown. April 2003
‘Milton Margai’ is the only school for...READ ON
Sierra Leone, Freetown. April 2003
‘Milton Margai’ is the only school for the blind in Sierra Leone. Approx. 85 children, 4 to 18 years old, study and live here. In 1998, when RUF-rebels attacked Freetown, the school had to be evacuated. In 1999 it was bombed. Some of the children lost their sight because they were brutalised by the rebels.
Feeling a friend.
20 / 21
Sierra Leone, Freetown. April 2003
‘Milton Margai’ is the only school for the blind in Sierra Leone. Approx. 85 children, 4 to 18 years old, study and live here. In 1998, when RUF-rebels attacked Freetown, the school had to be evacuated. In 1999 it was bombed. Some of the children lost their sight because they were brutalised by the rebels.
Portrait of Kiny Mattia in his bedroom.
Sierra Leone, Freetown. April 2003
‘Milton Margai’ is the only school for...READ ON
Sierra Leone, Freetown. April 2003
‘Milton Margai’ is the only school for the blind in Sierra Leone. Approx. 85 children, 4 to 18 years old, study and live here. In 1998, when RUF-rebels attacked Freetown, the school had to be evacuated. In 1999 it was bombed. Some of the children lost their sight because they were brutalised by the rebels.
Portrait of Kiny Mattia in his bedroom.
Blind faith / Sierra leone
Even before its devastating civil war, Sierra Leone was the poorest country on earth (UNDP figures). It still is, and now it’s in shambles too. In the years since the peace agreement, people have tried to create new chances for themselves in a land where opportunities are rare. Their struggle, their determination to bounce back, sheds light on a side of Sierra Leone (and of Africa) that we don’t often get to see. It’s a story of stamina, pride and self-confidence. Against all odds. During the conflict, many had their eyes poked out by rebels. Eighty-five children live and learn in Milton Margai School for the Blind in Freetown. They learn English, Braille, typewriting, and to play music. Many are now old enough to leave school, face the outside world and seek new lives for themselves. Some have already found jobs – no small feat, even for a sighted person, in Sierra Leone.
Pep Bonet
Pep Bonet (Mallorca, 1974) is a co-founder of NOOR images and a Nikon ambassador.