Transforming lives, building futures
At the Aminata Maternal Foundation, in partnership with the Aberdeen Women’s Centre (AWC), we are changing the story for teenage mothers in Sierra Leone. Many girls joining our program are just 11 to 17 years old, have been kicked out of their homes, or have fallen through the cracks of the education system. Some have never held a job. Through our full-time, life-changing Skills Training Program, these young mothers gain the skills, confidence, and independence to create a better future for themselves and their children.
Our promise. To HER future and to our donors.
We know this works
For over 10 years, we have seen what is possible and we are ready to continue transforming lives.
The Aminata Maternal Foundation makes this pledge:
With your support, we can reduce teenage pregnancy from 22% to 12%.
We cannot do it alone, but together, anything is possible.
How the program works:
Full-day, five days a week
The girls attend classes Monday–Friday, from morning to afternoon, giving them consistent, structured support.
Meals and transportation
All girls are provided daily meals and transportation, removing barriers to attendance.
Childcare support
Their babies are cared for at AWC, giving mothers the freedom to focus on learning.
Comprehensive care
They have access to full medical, health, and counselling services at AWC for up to five years.
Life-changing training areas
Hospitality, catering and customer service
Girls learn housekeeping, cooking, baking, and customer service skills that prepare them for employment in tourism, hospitality, and catering industries. They practice in real kitchens, Western and Sierra Leonean, and even run a mini “restaurant” for AWC staff.
Arts and crafts
Creative courses like tie-dye and handmade crafts equip girls with marketable skills and foster confidence. Lessons are led by former Skills Training graduates, inspiring girls through real-life success stories.
Tailoring and fashion
Professional tailor Ibrahim teaches sewing, cutting, and creating bespoke clothes and accessories. After six months, girls can make trousers, dresses, skirts, backpacks, and more, skills they can turn into income-generating businesses.
Hairdressing and make-up
Girls learn hairstyling, braiding, wig-making, and professional make-up under Alice, a skilled hairdresser and make-up artist. They practice their skills at AWC events, gaining hands-on experience and boosting confidence.
Literacy, numeracy and civics
Weekly lessons help close educational gaps, teaching reading, writing, arithmetic, and knowledge of Sierra Leone’s culture, history, and traditions.
Health education and life skills
AWC nurses, doctors, and counsellors provide essential guidance on:
•Baby care and nutrition
•Personal hygiene and family planning
•Mental health, resilience, confidence, and self-esteem
•Handling stress, anxiety, and family dynamics
How she rises
Before joining the Skills Training Program, most girls have:
- No stable home or support system
- Dropped out of school
- Limited opportunities for work or independence
After completing the program, girls:
- Gain employable skills in hospitality, tailoring, hairdressing, arts, and more
- Can care for themselves and their babies with confidence
- Build independence, self-esteem, and hope for the future
- Are prepared to start businesses or secure jobs, breaking the cycle of poverty
Her graduation: limitless
Every six months, our graduates celebrate their journey with a vibrant graduation ceremony. From timid, vulnerable girls to empowered young mothers, these celebrations mark the incredible growth, skill, and confidence they have gained.
This is the only program of its kind in Sierra Leone. For teenage mothers, it is a pathway to empowerment.
Our 10-year vision from 22% to 12%
We believe we can reduce teenage pregnancy in Sierra Leone by half.
- From 22% to 12% in the next 10 years
- Reach 500+ girls every year
- Scale peer-led advocacy across communities and schools
This is bold.
This is ambitious.
💛 Support a teenage mother today. Give her the skills, confidence, and future she deserves.
This is how we change history
We are not just supporting girls.
We are changing how our girls see themselves.
We are empowering them to:
- Reclaim their lives
- Rewrite their futures
- Raise the next generation differently
When girls rise, communities rise.
When communities rise, nations rise.
When Rising Girls rise, the world rises.
Join us. Invest in her. Be part of this story.
Enables 500+ girls each year to access the program
Contribution impact examples:
- $50 one day of midwife-led safe childbirth
- $100 one month literacy and numeracy education
- $250 skills training for income generation
- $500 one month of full holistic care