Stories From Sierra Leone - The Aminata Maternal Foundation

Blessing

By Erica Sufani | March 5, 2020

On 9th January 2020, Blessing a 16-year-old girl delivered a beautiful baby girl. However, her story is one…

Mabinty

By Erica Sufani | March 5, 2020

Mabinty Conteh grew up in a village with her mother and father until her father abandoned the family…

Mary

By Erica Sufani | March 5, 2020

Eighteen-year-old Mary Sesay was living with her older sister in Aberdeen when she became pregnant. Soon after she…

Zainab (Aged 16)

By Erica Sufani | May 24, 2018

We heard of Zainab before our trip to Sierra Leone in September 2016. She was 15 years old…

Jakia (Aged 27)

By Erica Sufani | May 24, 2018

We came across Jakia when we visited the Kroo Bay slum in Sierra Leone Freetown. Jakia came running…

Zainab (Aged 37)

By Erica Sufani | May 24, 2018

Zainab was brought to the Aberdeen Women’s Centre for fistula repair surgery by Aberdeen Women’s Centre outreach nurses,…

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aminatafoundation

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Jan 25

“I knew that if I had given birth in Sierra Leone, it is highly likely that one or both of us would not have survived. That was the catalyst for me to start the Aminata Maternal Foundation.”

Our CEO and founder of the Aminata Maternal Foundation has shared her story as a refugee and as a mother with Marie Claire Australia. Fleeing from the civil war in Sierra Leone, Aminata speaks to Marie Claire about how despite hardship and uncertainty, she found safety in coming to Australia. Read more about Aminata's story and her drive to setting up the Aminatation Maternal Foundation in our bio! 💛👆 #maternalhealth #sierraleone

https://www.marieclaire.com.au/women-experiences-refugees-australia

“I knew that if I had given birth in Sierra Leone, it is highly likely that one or both of us would not have survived. That was the catalyst for me to start the Aminata Maternal Foundation.”

Our CEO and founder of the Aminata Maternal Foundation has shared her story as a refugee and as a mother with Marie Claire Australia. Fleeing from the civil war in Sierra Leone, Aminata speaks to Marie Claire about how despite hardship and uncertainty, she found safety in coming to Australia. Read more about Aminata's story and her drive to setting up the Aminatation Maternal Foundation in our bio! 💛👆 #maternalhealth #sierraleone

https://www.marieclaire.com.au/women-experiences-refugees-australia ...

aminatafoundation

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Nov 26

💛 👏 THANK YOU! 💛 👏

Zainab, who was barely 15 years old and 43-weeks pregnant, would of had to walk 125km to give birth safely. Luckily, the Aminata Maternal Foundation were able to transport Zainab to the Aberdeen Women’s Centre who gave her the free operation needed to save Zainab and her baby.

Over the last 3 weeks, YOUR walking and donations will help girl likes Zainab to safely delivery their babies 🤱

We cannot thank you all enough for stepping up this November. 👏 We have loved seeing your daily walks in the rain, hail or shine (and even with your dogs!🐶)

Together, we have managed to raise over $75 000! That’s about
🤱🩺 2500 x health check ups for 5 children
🤱🩺 150 x caesarean births (C-Sections)
🤱🩺 38 x fistula repair operations

#amfwalkingchallenge #walkwithpurpose #walkwithpurpose2021 #maternalhealth #strongertogether #fundraisingforacause #signup #zainab #SierraLeone #amfwalkformumbsandbubs #wedidit

💛 👏 THANK YOU! 💛 👏

Zainab, who was barely 15 years old and 43-weeks pregnant, would of had to walk 125km to give birth safely. Luckily, the Aminata Maternal Foundation were able to transport Zainab to the Aberdeen Women’s Centre who gave her the free operation needed to save Zainab and her baby.

Over the last 3 weeks, YOUR walking and donations will help girl likes Zainab to safely delivery their babies 🤱

We cannot thank you all enough for stepping up this November. 👏 We have loved seeing your daily walks in the rain, hail or shine (and even with your dogs!🐶)

Together, we have managed to raise over $75 000! That’s about
🤱🩺 2500 x health check ups for 5 children
🤱🩺 150 x caesarean births (C-Sections)
🤱🩺 38 x fistula repair operations

#amfwalkingchallenge #walkwithpurpose #walkwithpurpose2021 #maternalhealth #strongertogether #fundraisingforacause #signup #zainab #SierraLeone #amfwalkformumbsandbubs #wedidit ...

aminatafoundation

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Nov 24

Can you believe it! We have reached our goal of $75,000! That’s 150 c-sections or the salary of 30 midwives for a year! 😱

Thank you for being so dedicated in joining our cause to save the lives of mothers and babies in Sierra Leone. We truly have made leaps and strides this year! 🏆🎉

By making even a small donation we can improve maternal mortality in increasing access to medical services as well as education for women and girls in Sierra Leone 🤱🩺

Your donations also go towards our current projects including:
🙌 Accommodation and Hostel Training: supporting vulnerable young women by providing a safe home for 6 months, postnatal care, continued schooling or vocational training.
🙌 Midwife training: giving new graduates a month-long practical placement at the Aberdeen Women’s Centre.
🙌 Dream Team: giving first-rate health care to young mothers as well as education in literacy, numeracy and health education, all taught by our on-site teaching staff.
🙌 Freedom from Fistula: to restore a woman’s dignity through fistula repair surgery and care

💛 But it’s not over just yet! 💛 Your profile pages are still open on our fundraising page … so there is still time to donate and share Zainab’s story!

#amfwalkingchallenge #walkwithpurpose #walkwithpurpose2021 #maternalhealth #strongertogether #fundraisingforacause #signup #zainab #SierraLeone #amfwalkformumbsandbubs #wedidit ...

aminatafoundation

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Nov 23

🏆 🤗 Congratulations to all of our prize winners who did some awesome fundraising and participating in our #AMFWalkingChallenge2021! 🤗 🏆

Thank you for being so dedicated in joining our cause to save the lives of mothers and babies in Sierra Leone.

🎉 The luxurious Lamav range gift pack donated by @sarahhumphriesagency -- Ingrid Kristiansen
🎉 $500 @witcheryfashion gift card -- Lucy Tarrant
🎉 A gorgeous dress from the @_aje_ ‘Reimagined’ collection -- Carla Field
🎉 A @podorganics ‘Sweet Pea and Me’ range -- Maria Von Lucken
🎉 Luxury @samsonite_au suitcase -- Nathan
🎉 2 Headwraps and tutorial donated by @2sydneystylists -- Jessica Roberts
🎉 Burt’s Bees Goodie Box from @the6amagency -- Anjali Rao
🎉 Package from Rodan + Fields donated by @the6amagency -- Lily Meszaros
🎉 @embraceforeverycurl Combo set -- Inbal Osmo
🎉 @embraceforeverycurl Combo set-- Portia Elliot
🎉 Bouquet of flowers from @floraldesirestudio -- Eloise Farley
🎉 Bouquet of flowers from @floraldesirestudio -- The Fitzgeralds

🙌 🙌 But it’s not over yet… your profiles and our fundraising page will remain active for a few weeks so there’s still time to reach our $75 000 goal!

#amfwalkingchallenge #walkwithpurpose #walkwithpurpose2021 #maternalhealth #strongertogether #fundraisingforacause #signup #zainab #SierraLeone #amfwalkformumbsandbubs #wedidit

🏆 🤗 Congratulations to all of our prize winners who did some awesome fundraising and participating in our #AMFWalkingChallenge2021! 🤗 🏆

Thank you for being so dedicated in joining our cause to save the lives of mothers and babies in Sierra Leone.

🎉 The luxurious Lamav range gift pack donated by @sarahhumphriesagency -- Ingrid Kristiansen
🎉 $500 @witcheryfashion gift card -- Lucy Tarrant
🎉 A gorgeous dress from the @_aje_ ‘Reimagined’ collection -- Carla Field
🎉 A @podorganics ‘Sweet Pea and Me’ range -- Maria Von Lucken
🎉 Luxury @samsonite_au suitcase -- Nathan
🎉 2 Headwraps and tutorial donated by @2sydneystylists -- Jessica Roberts
🎉 Burt’s Bees Goodie Box from @the6amagency -- Anjali Rao
🎉 Package from Rodan + Fields donated by @the6amagency -- Lily Meszaros
🎉 @embraceforeverycurl Combo set -- Inbal Osmo
🎉 @embraceforeverycurl Combo set-- Portia Elliot
🎉 Bouquet of flowers from @floraldesirestudio -- Eloise Farley
🎉 Bouquet of flowers from @floraldesirestudio -- The Fitzgeralds

🙌 🙌 But it’s not over yet… your profiles and our fundraising page will remain active for a few weeks so there’s still time to reach our $75 000 goal!

#amfwalkingchallenge #walkwithpurpose #walkwithpurpose2021 #maternalhealth #strongertogether #fundraisingforacause #signup #zainab #SierraLeone #amfwalkformumbsandbubs #wedidit ...

aminatafoundation

View

Nov 21

Can you believe it!? After 3 weeks of walking, running, skipping, it’s the last day of our annual #AMFWalkingChallenge. We did it! 😱

We cannot thank you all enough for stepping up this November. 👏 We have managed to raise $71 220! That’s over:

🤱🩺 2374 x health check ups for 5 children
🤱🩺 142 x caesarean births (C-Sections)
🤱🩺 35 x fistula repair operations

👀 Remember to watch closely tomorrow as we announce the prize winners...you could be a lucky winner to receive one of the many gifts and goodies donated by our wonderful sponsors:

💛Sarah Humphries PR @sarahhumphriesagency
💛 Embrace for Every Curl @embraceforeverycurl 💛 Floral Desire @floraldesirestudio 💛Witchery @witcheryfashion
💛Aje @_aje_
💛Pod Organic @podorganics
💛Art Club @heidimiddletonartclub
💛Kulani Kinis @kulanikinis
💛Samsonite @samsonite_au
💛Active Truth @activetruth
💛Hemp Oz @hempoz
💛Beauticate @beauticate
💛2 Sydney Stylists @2sydneystylists
💛twoface LABEL @twofacelabel
💛6 AM agency @the6amagency
#amfwalkingchallenge #walkwithpurpose #walkwithpurpose2021 #maternalhealth #strongertogether #fundraisingforacause #signup #zainab #SierraLeone #amfwalkformumbsandbubs #wedidit

Can you believe it!? After 3 weeks of walking, running, skipping, it’s the last day of our annual #AMFWalkingChallenge. We did it! 😱

We cannot thank you all enough for stepping up this November. 👏 We have managed to raise $71 220! That’s over:

🤱🩺 2374 x health check ups for 5 children
🤱🩺 142 x caesarean births (C-Sections)
🤱🩺 35 x fistula repair operations

👀 Remember to watch closely tomorrow as we announce the prize winners...you could be a lucky winner to receive one of the many gifts and goodies donated by our wonderful sponsors:

💛Sarah Humphries PR @sarahhumphriesagency
💛 Embrace for Every Curl @embraceforeverycurl 💛 Floral Desire @floraldesirestudio 💛Witchery @witcheryfashion
💛Aje @_aje_
💛Pod Organic @podorganics
💛Art Club @heidimiddletonartclub
💛Kulani Kinis @kulanikinis
💛Samsonite @samsonite_au
💛Active Truth @activetruth
💛Hemp Oz @hempoz
💛Beauticate @beauticate
💛2 Sydney Stylists @2sydneystylists
💛twoface LABEL @twofacelabel
💛6 AM agency @the6amagency
#amfwalkingchallenge #walkwithpurpose #walkwithpurpose2021 #maternalhealth #strongertogether #fundraisingforacause #signup #zainab #SierraLeone #amfwalkformumbsandbubs #wedidit ...

aminatafoundation

View

Nov 20

A photo taken of our CEO, Aminata, pretty much sums up how excited and grateful we are to you all for the incredible support this November in our #AMFWalkingChallenge2021. 👏 🤗

💛 Yesterday, Aminata, along with our fantastic volunteers walked 21km to celebrate nearing the end of our challenge!

💛 In walking together, we can improve maternal mortality, helping girls like Zainab by increasing access to medical services as well as education for women and girls in Sierra Leone 🤱🩺

💛 It is Day 21 today! With one day left in our annual challenge, it’s not too late to make a donation! Check out the link in our bio.

#amfwalkingchallenge #walkwithpurpose #walkwithpurpose2021 #maternalhealth #strongertogether #fundraisingforacause #covidsafe #signup #zainab #SierraLeone #amfwalkformumbsandbubs

A photo taken of our CEO, Aminata, pretty much sums up how excited and grateful we are to you all for the incredible support this November in our #AMFWalkingChallenge2021. 👏 🤗

💛 Yesterday, Aminata, along with our fantastic volunteers walked 21km to celebrate nearing the end of our challenge!

💛 In walking together, we can improve maternal mortality, helping girls like Zainab by increasing access to medical services as well as education for women and girls in Sierra Leone 🤱🩺

💛 It is Day 21 today! With one day left in our annual challenge, it’s not too late to make a donation! Check out the link in our bio.

#amfwalkingchallenge #walkwithpurpose #walkwithpurpose2021 #maternalhealth #strongertogether #fundraisingforacause #covidsafe #signup #zainab #SierraLeone #amfwalkformumbsandbubs ...

aminatafoundation

View

Nov 19

It’s Day 19 and we are nearing the end of our 2021 #AMFWalkingChallenge! We have made leaps and strides this year, exceeding our $60 000 goal! 🏆🎉

By making even a small donation we can improve maternal mortality in increasing access to medical services as well as education for women and girls in Sierra Leone 🤱🩺

Your donations also go towards our current projects including:
🙌 Accommodation and Hostel Training: supporting vulnerable young women by providing a safe home for 6 months, postnatal care, continued schooling or vocational training.
🙌 Midwife training: giving new graduates a month-long practical placement at the Aberdeen Women’s Centre.
🙌 Dream Team: giving first-rate health care to young mothers as well as education in literacy, numeracy and health education, all taught by our on-site teaching staff.
🙌 Freedom from Fistula: to restore a woman’s dignity through fistula repair surgery and care

Can’t walk in the challenge this year? 🤔 Every donation adds up and is felt by the women in Sierra Leone! 💛

#amfwalkingchallenge2021 #amfwalkingchallenge #walkwithpurpose #walkwithpurpose2021 #maternalhealth #strongertogether
#fundraisingforacause #covidsafe #signup #zainab #SierraLeone #amfwalkformumbsandbubs

It’s Day 19 and we are nearing the end of our 2021 #AMFWalkingChallenge! We have made leaps and strides this year, exceeding our $60 000 goal! 🏆🎉

By making even a small donation we can improve maternal mortality in increasing access to medical services as well as education for women and girls in Sierra Leone 🤱🩺

Your donations also go towards our current projects including:
🙌 Accommodation and Hostel Training: supporting vulnerable young women by providing a safe home for 6 months, postnatal care, continued schooling or vocational training.
🙌 Midwife training: giving new graduates a month-long practical placement at the Aberdeen Women’s Centre.
🙌 Dream Team: giving first-rate health care to young mothers as well as education in literacy, numeracy and health education, all taught by our on-site teaching staff.
🙌 Freedom from Fistula: to restore a woman’s dignity through fistula repair surgery and care

Can’t walk in the challenge this year? 🤔 Every donation adds up and is felt by the women in Sierra Leone! 💛

#amfwalkingchallenge2021 #amfwalkingchallenge #walkwithpurpose #walkwithpurpose2021 #maternalhealth #strongertogether
#fundraisingforacause #covidsafe #signup #zainab #SierraLeone #amfwalkformumbsandbubs ...

aminatafoundation

View

Nov 18

For this year’s #AMFWalkingChallenge2021 we’ve been walking for girls like Zainab, who was barely 15 years old when she:

🤰 Was 43 weeks pregnant
👣 Had to travel 125 km to the nearest hospital
❌ No natural and safe way to give birth

💛 LUCKILY, the Aminata Maternal Foundation was able to transport Zainab to the Aberdeen Women’s Centre who gave her the free operation needed to save Zainab and her baby.

🤗 🏃THIS is why we are Walking With Purpose this November; to tackle birth mortality to safely deliver children like Zainab's baby boy Amos.

Because, after all, motherhood should mark a BEGINNING, NOT an END.

✍️ It is not too late to join the challenge or donate- check out the link in our bio!

#amfwalkingchallenge2021 #amfwalkingchallenge #walkwithpurpose #walkwithpurpose2021 #maternalhealth #strongertogether
#fundraisingforacause #covidsafe #signup #zainab #SierraLeone #amfwalkformumbsandbubs

For this year’s #AMFWalkingChallenge2021 we’ve been walking for girls like Zainab, who was barely 15 years old when she:

🤰 Was 43 weeks pregnant
👣 Had to travel 125 km to the nearest hospital
❌ No natural and safe way to give birth

💛 LUCKILY, the Aminata Maternal Foundation was able to transport Zainab to the Aberdeen Women’s Centre who gave her the free operation needed to save Zainab and her baby.

🤗 🏃THIS is why we are Walking With Purpose this November; to tackle birth mortality to safely deliver children like Zainab's baby boy Amos.

Because, after all, motherhood should mark a BEGINNING, NOT an END.

✍️ It is not too late to join the challenge or donate- check out the link in our bio!

#amfwalkingchallenge2021 #amfwalkingchallenge #walkwithpurpose #walkwithpurpose2021 #maternalhealth #strongertogether
#fundraisingforacause #covidsafe #signup #zainab #SierraLeone #amfwalkformumbsandbubs ...

aminatafoundation

View

Nov 17

It’s Day 18 of the #AMFWalkingChallenge2021 and collectively we have well and truly surpassed our goal of $60 000 raised! 🎉🎉🎉

This is equivalent to the cost of over 120 cesarean births...that’s over 120 mothers, including young girls like Zainab, who can now safely give birth in Sierra Leone. 👏 🤗

Did you know:
💡 1 in 10 children in Sierra Leone won’t see their 5th birthday.
💡 Mothers are 200 times more likely to die in childbirth than Australian mothers
💡 11,000 newborns die each year from preventable birthing complications

It is our vision that no mother or child in Sierra Leone dies during childbirth due to poverty. With each step we make, we get closer to this goal.

In walking together for the #AMFwalkingchallenge2021, we can improve maternal mortality in increasing access to medical services as well as education for women and girls in Sierra Leone 🤱🩺

💛 Not enough time to walk this year? Every donation adds up and is felt by the women in Sierra Leone! 💛

#amfwalkingchallenge #walkwithpurpose #walkwithpurpose2021 #maternalhealth #strongertogether
#fundraisingforacause #covidsafe #signup #zainab #SierraLeone #amfwalkformumbsandbubs

It’s Day 18 of the #AMFWalkingChallenge2021 and collectively we have well and truly surpassed our goal of $60 000 raised! 🎉🎉🎉

This is equivalent to the cost of over 120 cesarean births...that’s over 120 mothers, including young girls like Zainab, who can now safely give birth in Sierra Leone. 👏 🤗

Did you know:
💡 1 in 10 children in Sierra Leone won’t see their 5th birthday.
💡 Mothers are 200 times more likely to die in childbirth than Australian mothers
💡 11,000 newborns die each year from preventable birthing complications

It is our vision that no mother or child in Sierra Leone dies during childbirth due to poverty. With each step we make, we get closer to this goal.

In walking together for the #AMFwalkingchallenge2021, we can improve maternal mortality in increasing access to medical services as well as education for women and girls in Sierra Leone 🤱🩺

💛 Not enough time to walk this year? Every donation adds up and is felt by the women in Sierra Leone! 💛

#amfwalkingchallenge #walkwithpurpose #walkwithpurpose2021 #maternalhealth #strongertogether
#fundraisingforacause #covidsafe #signup #zainab #SierraLeone #amfwalkformumbsandbubs ...

aminatafoundation

View

Nov 16

🏃🏃🏾‍♀️ With less than a week to go in our #amfwalkingchallenge2021, we want to take a moment to reflect on where your fantastic fundraising is going...

🤝 Our partners at the Aberdeen Women’s Centre opened their maternal unit in 2010 to provide the highest standards of maternal healthcare for women in Sierra Leone. 🤝

With our support, they:

🙌 provide the only comprehensive fistula repair service in Sierra Leone
🙌 give midwife training graduates a month-long practical placement at the Aberdeen Women’s Centre.
🙌 Safely deliver more than 200 babies each month
🙌 Treat more than 12 000 children each year in their outpatient children’s clinic, including immunisation services and health education.

It’s not too late to sign up to walk or make a donation! 💛 Check out the link in our bio.

#amfwalkingchallenge #walkwithpurpose #walkwithpurpose2021 #maternalhealth #strongertogether #fundraisingforacause #covidsafe #signup #zainab #SierraLeone #amfwalkformumbsandbubs

🏃🏃🏾‍♀️ With less than a week to go in our #amfwalkingchallenge2021, we want to take a moment to reflect on where your fantastic fundraising is going...

🤝 Our partners at the Aberdeen Women’s Centre opened their maternal unit in 2010 to provide the highest standards of maternal healthcare for women in Sierra Leone. 🤝

With our support, they:

🙌 provide the only comprehensive fistula repair service in Sierra Leone
🙌 give midwife training graduates a month-long practical placement at the Aberdeen Women’s Centre.
🙌 Safely deliver more than 200 babies each month
🙌 Treat more than 12 000 children each year in their outpatient children’s clinic, including immunisation services and health education.

It’s not too late to sign up to walk or make a donation! 💛 Check out the link in our bio.

#amfwalkingchallenge #walkwithpurpose #walkwithpurpose2021 #maternalhealth #strongertogether #fundraisingforacause #covidsafe #signup #zainab #SierraLeone #amfwalkformumbsandbubs ...