the fight for our mothers
Our work is centered on improving and expanding access to quality maternal healthcare and reduce maternal deaths in rural Sierra Leone.
why we fight
Global Maternal Mortality
WHO recognizes that 287,000 women died in 2020 as a result of pregnancy or childbirth of which 202,000 were from Sub-Saharan Africa. Maternal death serves as a key indicator of health and is associated with the accessibility of maternal and other health care services in a country.
giving birth in sierra leone
1 in 73 mothers who give birth in Sierra Leone, die from preventable childbirth complications. The maternal mortality ratio is double the global average and Sierra Leone has been listed as one of the 5 countries a woman is more likely to die in a given pregnancy.
healthcare infrastructure
As of 2015, there is only 1 doctor for every 31,000 people according to the Sierra Leone Ministry of Health and Sanitation. Of the 7.5 million citizens, there were only 245 board-certified physicians. Less than 0.1 physicians per 1,000 patients, less than 0.2 midwives and nurses per 1,000 patients, and less than 7% of the board-certified physicians are OB/GYN specialists.
clinics of sierra leone
Clinics across Sierra Leone are suffering from a lack of reliable power source, functional and up-to-date medical equipment and medicines, adequate staffing, running water, food for patients, and basic necessities for the delivery and postnatal room.
a note from the founder
Founder, Saibatu Mansaray
Written by Saibatu Mansaray
After years away, finally being home, and for more than just a visit, is beyond exciting. While I am looking forward to being with my Sierra Leone family, my mission here is much more serious.
I am returning home after 23 years in the United States Army and as senior executive at the White House to fight for our families, to end this crisis, and to save our mothers. To do this, I will need all of you. We must visit each of our clinics, meet with medical professionals, listen, learn, and observe all that we can so that our experts can best assess what needs to change.
F. Scott Fitzgerald wrote, “It's a funny thing about coming home. Nothing changes. Everything looks the same, feels the same, even smells the same. You realize what's changed is you."
My Journey home has been many years in the making. No matter what part of the world I was in, Sierra Leone always remained at the forefront of my heart and mind.
Speak up if you want to bring change to the world.
Waiting is something I cannot do, my father would never have allowed it. I was not raised to sit idly by while our people were left to suffer.
And so the Journey must begin. Together, we will bring about the change Sierra Leone so desperately needs. This is our mission, to change and save lives. To fight for our mothers!
Join The Fight!
$1 Can Make A Difference
(1 US Dollar = Approximately 22,647 Leones)
Maternal mortality is a global HEALTH issue
No woman, despite geography, economic, or literacy status should die from childbirth!
The Mansaray Foundation’s strategic priorities and implementation methods support Goal 3 of the 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDG).
The Mansaray Foundation is focused on target goal 3.1
Goal 3.1: By the year 2030 the UN’s targeted Maternal Mortality Ratio (MMR) is 70 deaths or less per 100,000
Sierra Leone’s ratio is currently ~443 deaths per 100,000
