A TURKS and Caicos schoolboy has taken his first tentative steps towards a career in business. William Mullins has invented, designed and built a board game which he hopes will one day make it onto the shelves of toy shops around the world. And what makes his achievement even more remarkable is that the nine-year-old Ashcroft School pupil is severely dyslexic. Like all sufferers, William has difficulties with reading and writing. But that hasn’t stopped him from creating Flags of the World – a game for all the family which sees players moving counters around a grid and answers questions along the way. Ashcroft School, under the leadership of principal, David O’Connell, has an impressive record when it comes to working with dyslexic children and William is another in a long line of success stories. Teacher Katie Clarke, who has guided the young entrepreneur during the project, explained: “Dyslexia is a common problem and lots of children and adults suffer. But, as William and other pupils have proved, it is a handicap that can be overcome. “There are many famous and successful dyslexics such as Richard Branson, Tom Cruise and Whoopi Goldberg and these sort of people certainly haven’t let it hold them back. “William has a real passion for geography, countries and flags and so that’s what we focused on when it came to doing this special project. He came up with the idea of the board game and has seen it through to its completion. “The idea is that you move your counter, shaped as a flag, around a grid on a map of the world, and the more questions you answer about flags correctly, the further you go.” She added: “During the project William has had to do lots of research, reading and writing and this has certainly helped improve his ability in all areas. “The finished product is amazing and we are all so proud of him. Flags of the World is a fabulous game and we would love to see it developed further.” William, who has been living in Provo for almost three years, is now hoping to find a financial backer to help develop the project further. He explained: “I am pleased with the way the game has come out and I would like to turn it into something that can be bought in toys and games shops around the world. I know that will take lots of money but I’m hoping there might be a business person out there who can help me. “The support I have received from school has been amazing and I would like to thank Miss Clarke for all her help and encouragement. “Being dyslexic can be tough but it doesn’t mean you can’t achieve things in life and I hope my work encourages other with the same problem.” Mr O’Connell said that William’s achievements are further proof that dyslexia is nothing to be ashamed or embarissed about. “We are very proud of William”, he said, “and we congratulate him on Flags of the World. He may be dyslexic but he has found a way to overcome his difficulties and has worked hard to do so. “Here at Ashcroft School we believe totally in providing the appropriate tools and support to help youngsters with learning difficulties and William in one of a long line of students who have benefited from what we have to offer. “Just because a child is dyslexic it doesn’t mean they can’t achieve great things. What we do is concentrate on their strengths and give them all the support they need to excel at the things they are naturally good at. “This has certainly been true in William’s case and I too would like to thank Miss Clarke and our special support teacher, Irene Danics, for their efforts.” Anyone wanting to know more about the Ashcroft School and the support it offers to children with learning difficulties, should call David O’Connell on 946 5523 or at taschool@tciway.tc