Through the support of the Alumni Engagement Innovation Fund (AEIF), the ‘” Creating Pathways to Employment for Young Mothers” project spearheaded by Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI) Regional Leader Center ExchangeAlumni Baimba Sheriff has a bold mission: to equip and empower young women in Sierra Leone. Its primary goal is to enable these women to attain self-reliance, achieve economic prosperity, provide support to their families, and actively engage in the advancement of their communities.
The team’s journey began in 2017 when they identified a set of challenges faced by young mothers in Sierra Leone. Baimba’s team recognized the urgent need to combat the stigma and stereotypes surrounding teenage mothers in Sierra Leone, especially as they often felt unable to return to formal education after becoming pregnant. The team’s mission to make a positive impact led them to the Western Area Rural District, Freetown, which has experienced high rates of teenage pregnancy. This project aimed to empower 60 young mothers with the skills and support they needed to overcome these barriers in their communities. The results have been impressive, with 75 per cent of the women gaining employment opportunities. They established a self-funded library, where these young mothers had the chance to learn basic numeracy and literacy skills, followed by financial management and vocational training. Remarkably, 25-35 per cent of them have since established their own businesses, and 35 per cent were able to support their children’s education and health through these self-owned enterprises. Others were trained for employment, apprenticeships, and internships, breaking the cycle of intergenerational poverty.
While his team’s project has already achieved significant success, Baimba emphasized the importance of ongoing support and continuing. to monitor the impact and success of their efforts. This includes seeking out internships, continuing education, and mentorships to ensure that young mothers can thrive independently. Baimba also noted with pride that the U.S. Embassy in Sierra Leone published a documentary on Facebook about their project, further spreading awareness of their work.
The project goes beyond just skills training; past beneficiaries and graduates of the program now serve as mentors to new mothers and trainers on new projects. They have a comprehensive two-year evaluation plan, set to be reevaluated by mid-2024, focusing on continuing mentorship and sharing more success stories. However, expanding their impact poses challenges, notably in obtaining government support from Sierra Leone due to bureaucratic hurdles.
sierra-leonne-1b.jpg
Project Lead Baimba Sheriff speaks with project beneficiaries.Photo Credit, Baimba SheriffNevertheless, Baimba’s long-term vision is to go national and reach the most rural parts of Sierra Leone, fully empowering women and changing the perception that motherhood is the end of their lives. He aspires to establish a presence in every district within the next 10-15 years, ensuring that women are not dependent on men or society.
“Our vision is to take this program nationwide because I believe in the abilities of women across Sierra Leone,” he says “By going fully national, we can unlock opportunities, create lasting change, and inspire a brighter future for our entire nation.”
Baimba noted the significance of AEIF grants in elevating the project’s profile and highlighted the need for perseverance and commitment in securing these grants, as competition is fierce. Ultimately, he believes that the success recognized by the U.S. Embassy Freetown is a testament to the project’s dedication, resilience, and cooperative spirit, all of which are essential qualities in making a lasting impact. “In empowering young mothers, we uplift entire communities and build a brighter future for Sierra Leone,” Baimba said.
