By Ibrahim S. Bangura
Freetown, Sierra Leone — October 20, 2025: Each morning, 22-year-old Osman Dumbuya begins his school day not with a lesson, but with a struggle—a struggle to find a commercial vehicle willing to take him across Freetown. Living with visual impairment in Kissy Shell, east of the capital, Osman’s commute to his Senior Secondary School in Tengbeh Town is a daily ordeal marked by rejection and discrimination.
“I usually ask for assistance to get a vehicle, but they don’t care,” Osman shared. “Even the drivers and conductors don’t want us in their vehicles. Out of ten people I ask for help, only one will be willing to do so.”
On a typical weekday morning at Shell Old Road, Osman stands patiently with his white cane, as conductors wave him off with the painful refrain: “Nor nor, wi nor dae take am”—a Krio phrase meaning “No, no, we won’t take him.”
Osman’s experience is emblematic of the broader challenges faced by visually impaired students across Sierra Leone. From inaccessible transportation systems to limited access to learning materials, many are denied the basic tools needed to pursue education.
Despite these barriers, Osman remains determined. A Senior Secondary School Three (SSS3) pupil, he dreams of becoming a lawyer, inspired by Amidu Sankoh, Sierra Leone’s first blind lawyer. “We, as visually impaired persons, can do great things in music and education. I want to be called to the Bar one day,” he said.
Osman’s educational journey began at the Milton Margai School for the Blind, where he studied from Class One to Junior Secondary School One. He left due to poor living conditions and now lives with his single mother, who remains his greatest source of support.
The daily commute from Kissy to Tengbeh Town is exhausting even for able-bodied individuals. For Osman, it is a journey through indifference. “Society often treats us as if we don’t belong,” he said. “But we also have dreams, and we can contribute meaningfully if given the opportunity.”
Beyond transportation, Osman faces academic hurdles. As he prepares for the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE), he struggles to access study materials. “Sometimes I rely on friends to read to me, but they also have their own studies. It’s not easy,” he explained.
His story highlights the urgent need for enforcement of the Persons with Disability Act of 2011, which guarantees accessibility in public spaces, transportation, and education. More than a decade later, implementation remains weak, leaving many disabled persons to navigate systems that exclude them.
As the sun rises over Freetown, Osman finally secures a seat in a taxi. The journey is long and uncertain, but his resolve is unwavering. “I just want to succeed,” he said softly. “If I become a lawyer, I will use my voice to make sure others like me don’t go through the same struggles. We deserve a chance too.”