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Musa Konneh

Musa Konneh

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Musa Konneh

Musu is in her 30s, and has been a member of SLAB since 2005. She lives with her husband and eight-year-old daughter in Nyandeyama Village, in the Kenema District of Sierra Leone. She lost her sight in 1997, during the civil war, and believes this was the result of shrapnel.

"I used to sell food in the market before the war," says Musu. "I felt so frustrated about not being able to see. People started discriminating against me. I became very reserved and stopped going to the market to sell. I was identified by a survey in my community, and was offered mobility, orientation and daily living skills training. After this my confidence started to grow. I was able to cook for my family and even go down to the stream by myself to fetch water.

When I learnt about the microfinance scheme I decided to apply for a loan and trade from my house, on a tabletop stall. My husband Foray is my sighted supporter. My first loan was for Le 300,000 (currently the equivalent of $100, or £62), and I spent it on palm oil and other small items like biscuits and sweets to sell. Using the profit from the first loan, I expanded my business. I got a second loan of Le 480,000 and also paid that off in six months.

"I can take care of myself. I am not a burden to anyone"

I can sell by myself, but my daughter sometimes helps me with the change. I have been trained to differentiate between the money but I still have difficulty with the paper notes. I tell the difference between the things I sell, like milk, sardines and batteries, by feeling them.

People used to tease my daughter Musu in school saying ‘your mummy is blind'. Now she says they don't do it anymore because they see I can take care of myself. I am not a burden to anyone."