State Library of NSW – Author Talk: Rising Heart

Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
WhatsApp

AUGUST 27 2020 | LIVE WEBINAR

As a teenager, Aminata Conteh-Biger became a casualty of the Sierra Leone civil war. Kidnapped by rebel forces and later released, Aminata was granted refugee status by Australia, making her the first Sierra Leonean refugee woman in the country. Since her arrival here, she has forged an incredible life as a performer, wife, mother and now author.

The Aminata Maternal Foundation she founded supports and empowers women and children in Sierra Leone. Taken from the pages of her autobiography Rising Heart, hear Aminata’s story in conversation with literary critic Nicole Abadee.

FIND OUT MORE

State Library of NSW - Author Talk- Rising Heart

Related Content

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.

Read More »

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.

Read More »

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.

Read More »