💪🤰🏾 Who run the world??

The country of Sierra Leone in West Africa has one of the highest maternal mortality rates in the world. It has limited healthcare facilities, making it difficult for most women to access the care they need for a safe delivery.

That's all about to change, however, with the new Maternal Center of Excellence, a brand new facility funded by the European Union and UNICEF aiming to provide state-of-the-art healthcare to new mothers.

The best part? The facility is currently being built by a female majority, with over 60% of the construction workers on site being women.

• According to The Guardian, most of the women are working in construction for the first time and are very conscious they’re helping to build the region’s future.
• “It is for us, the women who will give birth here. That’s why we are putting in effort to build the hospital,” said Hawa Baryoh, 21. “That is why you see plenty of women here.”

📝🏥 The plan: The Maternal Center of Excellence aims to support the bigger Koidu government hospital next door. The project is supervised by John Chew, who played a major role in encouraging women to join the team.

“I’m very proud of them,” shared Chew, talking about the hardworking women on site. “We build this for tomorrow and to train others.”

👀 Looking ahead… The facility is bringing hope to Sierra Leone, as well as providing educational and training opportunities for new doctors in the area. Its builders estimate the center will serve ~300 people/day once open.

• “It’s a dream come true. Aside from being spacious, it will meet the needs of what people actually want: quality,” explained sister Therisa Mye-Kamara, a midwife. “This will put Kono district on the healthcare map. We will be the super best.”