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Discover the remarkable journey of Monjama, a young woman from rural Sierra Leone whose life trajectory shifted dramatically through education, family reconnection, and dedicated support. Left fatherless in a remote village without schools or healthcare facilities, Monjama's future seemed predetermined by generational poverty—until intervention changed everything.
At just seven years old, Monjama entered the Child Reintegration Center (CRC), encountering formal education for the first time. Despite having no prior schooling, her natural abilities flourished as she was double-promoted through her studies. When the CRC transitioned from residential care to family-based support in 2016, Monjama faced new challenges: reconnecting with her mother while continuing her education.
The podcast welcomes two special guests who bring this story to life. Rosa Saffa, a social worker at the CRC who was herself raised in residential care, shares unique insights into the emotional complexities Monjama navigated. Then surprisingly, Monjama herself joins the conversation, describing her journey from disconnection to rebuilding relationships with her mother and siblings. We hear firsthand about the obstacles she overcame—language barriers, cultural differences, and the emotional work of reestablishing family bonds after years of separation.
Most powerfully, Monjama reveals how she completed nursing school and treated her own mother as her first patient—a profound full-circle moment that exemplifies how supporting one child can transform entire families and communities. As Rosa eloquently states, "If you educate a girl child, you educate a nation."
This episode challenges listeners to reconsider what creates true resilience in vulnerable children. Beyond academic opportunities, Monjama's story demonstrates how family connections provide the emotional foundation and sense of belonging essential for lasting success. Through her journey, we witness the transformative power of holistic support that addresses both educational needs and family relationships.
Ready to be part of someone's journey toward hope? Visit helpingchildrenworldwide.org to learn how you can support more success stories like Monjama's. You can donate to the work of the Child Reintegration Centre and support young people lifting themselves from poverty through this link: donate.helpingchildrenworldwide.org

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Maternal Health impacts child and family wellbeing, and is an indicator of societal wellbeing as well. Please listen to our podcast episodes on safe childbirth and maternal health to learn more about how health of a mother is basic survival for a child.

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