Uman n Pikin Welbodi

WHO WE ARE

OUR STORY

Our founders

Sarah is a young Belgian general practitioner who has been working abroad for several years, traveling from continent to continent. But her greatest passion has always been the African continent. After completing several hospital internships in Madagascar, Burkina Faso, South Africa, and working in Malawi and Sierra Leone, it is in this last country that she envisions pursuing her dream: opening a health center that provides quality care to women and children — vulnerable populations in terms of health in Sierra Leone.

Fortunately, she can count on the unwavering support of her father, Jacques, in this new adventure. With his strong skills in administrative and financial management, he will ensure the smooth running of the NGO in Belgium, while Sarah will be in charge of the projects in Sierra Leone.

“Uman n Pikin Welbodi” (abbreviated as UMPIWE) means “healthy woman and child” in Krio, Sierra Leone’s vehicular language.

Our members

Osman is our Health Promotion and Community Engagement Officer. His many years working with MSF in Sierra Leone have given him valuable and essential knowledge and skills for the successful implementation of our various projects.

Isabelle, Sarah’s mother, a fan of sewing and creative hobbies, makes a valuable contribution to UMPIWE by crafting items using wax fabric brought directly from Africa by Sarah. All the money raised from their sale is entirely donated to the NGO.

Sierra Leone

A Brief Overview of Sierra Leone​

Sierra Leone is a small country in West Africa, located between Guinea-Conakry and Liberia, with a population of over 8 million people. Formerly colonized by the United Kingdom, it gained independence on April 27, 1961. Sadly known for its bloody civil war from 1991 to 2002, as well as the devastating Ebola epidemic from 2014 to 2016, this small coastal country with a tropical climate, its beaches, and forests remains relatively unknown to many.
Different ethnic groups make up Sierra Leone, including the Temne, Mende, Limba, Fula, Kono, Mandingo, Sherbro, Creole Krio, among others. Its capital, Freetown, was founded by freed slaves from North America. Each ethnic group has its own language; Krio is the country’s vehicular language, and English is the official language. The population includes both Muslims and Christians who live in harmony.
Sierra Leone is one of the poorest countries in the world. Maternal mortality and child mortality under five are among the highest globally. The healthcare system is largely insufficient in both quantity and quality. That is why we wish to open a health center offering quality care to this population.

01

— Under Five Mortality

In Sierra Leone, one in ten children will not live to see their fifth birthday. The leading causes of these deaths are malaria, diarrhea, and pneumonia — illnesses that are, in fact, easily treatable when detected early and properly managed. Unfortunately, access to healthcare remains limited for many children.
Neonatal mortality is also a serious concern and could largely be prevented with quality healthcare services.
Moreover, malnutrition is widespread in the country and plays a major role in nearly half of all child deaths. A malnourished child is, in fact, nine times more likely to die than a well-nourished one.

02

— Maternal mortality

Giving birth is a real danger for many women in Sierra Leone. In 2022, the country recorded a maternal mortality rate of 443 deaths per 100,000 live births. Too many women do not receive adequate antenatal care and some give birth at home, often assisted by traditional birth attendants. These conditions can lead to serious complications, sometimes resulting in the death of both mother and child.
Yet the vast majority of these deaths could be prevented through simple but effective interventions.

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Help us to provide good quality healthcare to women and children in Sierra Leone

We thank you for your interest and your support

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