RADIO NZ AUTHOR REVIEW | 5 November 2020
In this radio interview, Aminata Conteh-Biger shared her life in Sierra Leone before, during and after the hostage taking. She also shared how she rebuilt her life in Australia, her career in fashion and as a motivational speaker. She also gave a glimpse of her family life and how the birth of her daughter inspired her to build a foundation that helps Sierra Leonean mothers safely deliver their babies.
Behind every maternal life saved and every girl supported is a network of partners making that impact possible. This past year, organisations including QuestionPro, Manning & Co, and Teleflex have strengthened the Aminata Maternal Foundation’s capacity, visibility, and reach. Their support reflects a shared belief that lasting change requires collaboration across sectors. Real partnership does more than strengthen organisations, it strengthens systems, empowers communities, and saves lives.
On 29 April 2026, thirty young mothers graduated from the Dream Girls (Rising Girls) programme at Aberdeen Women’s Centre in Sierra Leone. Delivered in partnership with the Aminata Maternal Foundation, the programme supports girls from the ages of 11 – 17, affected by early pregnancy to return to education and build pathways to future livelihoods. The girls graduated from the Skills Training Centre after 6 months of hands-on vocational training in hospitality, tailoring, hairdressing, crafts, and literacy.
Sierra Leone is entering a defining moment in maternal health reform. Through its “300 Days of Activism” campaign, the government is mobilising ministries, health teams, clinicians, and partners around the Triple Zeros: zero preventable maternal deaths, zero preventable child deaths, and zero zero-dose children. At the Aminata Maternal Foundation, we see every day that these outcomes are not inevitable, they are solvable when systems are designed and supported effectively. The opportunity now is to ensure this momentum receives the investment and long-term support it deserves.
