But 15 years on, he has been given new hope thanks to support from his new home town, Sheffield. And now he aims to pass on that support by helping other blind Somalians.

The 33-year-old Castle College student was blinded while collecting some of the three million landmines strewn across the country.

"It sounds very risky, picking them up for a living, but I had almost lost everything including my home and education," he said. "I had seen friends and neighbours killed. The country was ruined and rebel forces were fighting in the streets. I was 15 and desperate to get out of a refugee camp. I wanted to move on, earn some money and help the country back on its feet.

"I had been doing the job for a month when the explosion happened."
One of six children, his secondary education was totally disrupted. So in 2001 he came to Sheffield, seeking a better life. "In Somalia people think that if you are blind your life is over. Education and employment are not an option."

Mohamed received good support from Sheffield City Council. His needs were assessed at a school run by the Royal National Institute of Blind People and he attended residential college in Birmingham to study communication skills.

He has just completed a one-year humanities access course at Castle College, Sheffield, with support from the specialist visual impairment team. And next month he becomes an undergraduate at Derby University, studying globalisation and international politics.

Mohamed, who is married with two young children, said: "It was extremely difficult being separated from my family. They joined me from Somalia last year. Overcoming the language and blindness barrier was also incredibly hard. I am pleased with what I have achieved but there is still more to do."

Part of that involves supporting the Horn of Africa Blind Society, which aims to improve access to education, technology and social integration for Somali-speaking people in Sheffield. It has the support of health and welfare agencies which aim to adapt their services for the needs of an estimated 150 blind and partially-sighted Somali-speaking people in Sheffield.

Mohamed has set up a new website group and is looking for volunteers. Visit general.info@hornofafricablind.org.uk




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