Hawa Koroma contracted polio when she was three, losing the use of both her legs. She took to street begging, enduring all the indignities this brings. Hawa was sexually exploited on numerous occasions by the people she met. Then she became pregnant.

Through the Polio Association in Kono, YASAL identified Hawa and gave her a place at its training centre where she has been learning new skills that will mean she can support herself and her child. After graduating Hawa wants to set up her own tailoring shop using the sewing start-up kit provided by Tools for Self Reliance.