A Champion for Mothers and Babies: Nurse Isatu’s Inspiring Journey

​Our Maternal Health Mission Training, conducted by Helping Children Worldwide, alongside Together for Global Health Members Healey International Relief Foundation, and Tenki for Born aims to equip midwives and nurses in Sierra Leone with life-saving skills in emergency obstetric and newborn care. We believe that empowering local healthcare providers is crucial for sustainable improvements in maternal and child health outcomes. We want to share share the inspiring story of Nurse Isatu, a dedicated midwife from Nixon Memorial UMC Hospital in Segbwema, whose journey exemplifies the transformative power of this training.

​Nurse Isatu Baby, a dedicated midwife from Nixon Memorial UMC Hospital in Segbwema, is a shining example of how investing in midwifery training creates a ripple effect of positive change. Isatu’s journey with us began when she participated in our maternal and newborn health training in Bo last year. She not only excelled in the training but also demonstrated outstanding leadership and teaching abilities, making it clear that she was not just learning for herself—she was learning to uplift others. Following her training, Isatu took her newfound skills and knowledge back to Nixon Memorial UMC Hospital, where she led trainings for her fellow midwives, ensuring that the impact of the program extended far beyond her own learning.

​She utilized the supplies and materials provided through the training to equip her colleagues with better tools and knowledge, strengthening maternal and newborn care at her facility. Recognizing her dedication and expertise, we were thrilled to invite Nurse Isatu back as a trainer for this year’s maternal health training in Kenema. Seeing her step into the role of an educator—sharing her experiences and guiding fellow nurses and midwives—was an inspiring testament to the power of capacity building and mentorship. Isatu’s transformation from trainee to trainer embodies the sustainable impact we strive for: empowering local healthcare providers to take ownership of improving maternal and newborn health in their own communities.
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By equipping local champions like Isatu, we are not just improving individual skills—we are building a network of empowered healthcare providers who will continue this life-saving work for years to come.

Nurse Isatu training fellow midwives at Nixon Hospital

Nurse Isatu training midwives at our 2025 conference in Kenema, including her own Matron!

​Each midwife she trains, each life-saving skill she shares, and each mother and baby who receives better care because of her efforts contribute to a stronger healthcare system.
Her story is a powerful reminder that sustainable change in global health starts with investing in people. Thanks to generous support from our donors and partners, nurses like Isatu are leading the charge in reducing maternal and newborn mortality, ensuring safer births, healthier mothers, and stronger communities across Sierra Leone. 

We want to give a special thank you to our donors, including our Giving Tuesday donors and Tzu Chi Foundation, for without your generous donations, Isatu's success, and the success of the 43 midwives and nurses we trained this January, would not have been possible.

​We invite you to listen to our HCW Optimistic Voices podcast to learn more about our Maternal Health Mission and the impact it's making, including a feature on another inspiring midwife. Also, be sure to keep an eye out for our upcoming report on this mission, which will feature Nurse Isatu's story!