From Rogberka To Freetown… The Transformational Journey of Visually Impaired Marie Turay by Haven for Orphans and Widows

By: Lansana Fofanah
Sierra Leone, located on the West Coast of Africa, could best be described as a nation with resilient people.
The small West African nation went through a ten year civil war with unforgettable atrocities from 1991 to 2002; a war that led to loss of lives, human destruction, as those horrendous scars and memories could still be felt in the country.
The outbreak of the Ebola virus in 2014, and the Corona virus in 2019 in Sierra Leone, cost the nation unimaginable destruction of lives, especially in rural communities where accessing health facilities was challenging.

Despite tremendous government effort in reviving the once-broken nation, the plight of orphans and widows is one thing that could be seen and felt in every part of the country.
According to Statistics Sierra Leone’s (2017-18) report, 25% of children do not live with their parents while 13% have lost one or both parents.
This happens to be the sad story for 12 year-old Marie Turay, who was born blind at Rogberka village in Magburaka districts; one of the poorest districts in the country with little economic activities.
Marie’s hope of survival was shattered when she lost both parents during the outbreak of the Ebola virus in 2014.
She was left to be raised by her poor grandmother who depends on handouts from community members for their survival.

Marie Turay’s daily life is a challenge in a society that is already challenging for those with a disability Her story  touched the heart of philanthropists Dale Bourassa and his friend, William Cook who are in country to assess potential areas of intervention especially in support of orphans and widows.
The Rogberka primary school was constructed by Dale Bourassa in 2014 and he has been supporting the school ever since.
The school now serves as a learning center for more than four villages near Rogberka.
His passion for humanitarian work, made him to visit the community to assess the impact of the school and how that has helped in transforming education in that remote part of the country.
This was the same school where  Marie was spotted by Dale Bourassa and his friend Bill Cook during their visit.
Just a few minutes of interview with Marie, her ambition was known by Dale Bourassa and Bill Cook.

“I want to be a health worker but I was told that wouldn’t be possible without education. I know I am blind but I believe all is not lost for me as my classmates make my learning interesting by singing daily lessons for me to memorize them,” the determined Marie Turay said with a sense of hope.
The use of Braille is a normal learning tool for the visually impaired in some parts of the country. Marie never imagined that she would have access to Braille, which made her situation all the more desperate.

Her touching story inspired the Haven For Orphans and Widows to immediately contact the Headmaster at the Milton Margai School for the Blind in Freetown.
Mr. Bourassa informed Marie that she was accepted at the Milton Margai School for the Blind and would be traveling to Freetown to attend.
Her first question was whether she was going to have to walk over 130 miles  to Freetown, since she had never been driven in a vehicle nor could she describe one.
Mr. Dale and Bill, Assured Marie that she would have her first ride in a vehicle to Freetown and everything will be fine for her.
The Haven for Orphans and Widows received approval form Headmaster Salieu Turay, who assured them that there was a place for Marie at the Milton Margai School for the Blind. The following day, the Haven for Orphans and Widows with the financial support from Dale and Bill, facilitated Marie’s trip to Freetown where she met with Headmaster Turay.

As expected, the medical report from the Connaught Hospital further clarified the need for Marie Turay to be enrolled at the Blind school for a better chance to be educated.
Marie’s first week in Freetown was full of curiosity.
“Since I came here, there has been a non-stop vehicle movement and the honking of horns which is rare in my village. You can only hear the sound of “Okada” motorcycle once in a while, she funnily said.
Happily, Marie Turay has successfully enrolled at the Milton Margai School for the Blind with the support of Haven for Orphans and Widows.
According to Dale Bourassa, the Haven for Orphans and Widows exists to give equal opportunity to every child.
“This is why we want to establish the Haven for Orphans and Widows in Sierra Leone to help orphans and through livelihood support. The Holy Bible made mentioned of the need to take care of widows and orphans six times and we hope to work in that direction,” he said.
Mr. Bill Cook thanked the Headmaster of Milton Margai School for the Blind for his effort in realizing the dream of Marie. He assured the school that the Haven for Orphans and Widows organization remains committed to changing the life of Marie and every other vulnerable kid in Sierra Leone.
Today, thanks to the Haven for Orphans and Widows, Marie has been successfully placed among her peers at the Milton Margai School for the Blind where she will have access to all the facilities necessary to enable her to realize her dream.