When Mameisia Kabia decided to take a one year break from medical school to pursue other passions, she did not know exactly what to do and so she asked God to guide her in the right direction. That’s how she tried her chances for the 2010 Miss Africa USA pageant where she made it to a finalist representing Sierra Leone. It’s this pageant that gave Mameisia a platform to address the issue of poor health care affecting the people of Sierra Leone.
This passion didn’t start with the Miss Africa USA pageant but at 12 years old, when Mameisia had started conducting medical research on various health issues at facilities like National Institute of Health. At 20 she received her first publication in the American Journal of Medical Genetics and has since visited college campuses giving talks about health issues concerning Africa.
We talked to 22 year old Mameisia who describes herself as fun, loving and open minded as she talked to us about her life and her movement.
Tell us a little about your background?
I’m a first-generation Sierra Leonean American; I was born in the United States; however I frequently visited my grandparents and other family members in Sierra Leone due to her father’s line of work. Having been caught between the two worlds had its advantages and disadvantages. For one, in America I am considered African and in Africa I am considered American. It was tough growing up and feeling like I did not fit in to both groups completely. As I grew older and especially after I went to college that became less of an issue.
What are you currently doing?
I graduated from Villanova University last May (2010) as a pre-med student with a major in Human Services. My sisters and I own Four Sisters Beauty Supply in Lawrenceville, NJ. Using the store to increase awareness on breast cancer and other women’s health related issues is one of our long term goals. We are currently working with some breast cancer organization to supply them with wigs and hair products at discounted rates.
Apart from that I am also the founder of the New Hope Movement (NHM) which is a non-profit organization also based in New Jersey. NHM focuses on addressing infant and maternal healthcare issues in Sierra Leone, West Africa.
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| Mamesia in Sierra Leone for a New Hope Movement meeting with Dr. Soccoh Kabia- Minister of Fishries and Marine Resources, Dr. Aleona Lewis- Emergency Surgeon for Mercy Ships Sierra Leone, Fatima Diallo- LPN Nurse, and Dr. Ankur Purohit- Materials Scientist/NHM consultant |
I am deeply involved in work with the New Hope Movement. We are currently filming a documentary “Their Blood Cries Out”; about maternal mortality in Sierra Leone which will raise awareness on this issue with the hopes of bringing the proper attention to that region. I am also a partner for Joyce Meyer Ministries and I sponsor a child for the Savior of the World (Sierra Leone) organization.
I decided to give back to Sierra Leone because I felt in a sense that it was my duty especially after witnessing the impact the war had on the country. I was blessed with the opportunity to receive my education in the US and had access to some resources that could greatly benefit the country so I wanted to use what I had to positively impact Sierra Leone.
Tell us more about your passion to eradicate infant and maternal mortality in Sierra Leone.
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I believe that infant and maternal mortality are problems that should be addressed immediately and can be solved with the proper attention. In Sierra Leone, hundreds and thousands of women die each year while giving birth due to completely preventable circumstances. Children die because the proper resources and knowledge pertaining to their health is just not there. Improvements in healthcare related mortality rates have been seen in countries like Ghana and the Republic of Congo so it is possible in Sierra Leone as well. If no one will speak up and if no action is taken, this injustice will continue to happen. I am passionate about this because we are not just dealing with numbers and statistics; we are dealing with actual human lives. It does not need to happen and improvements can and will be made once the proper steps are taken.
In this photo: Mamesia holding a baby at PCMH in Freetown, Sierra Leone whose mother had been hospitalized for 3 months after giving birth because of a poorly done c-section
What challenges have you experienced with starting New Hope Movement?
One major challenge is learning what it takes to run a non-profit organization. It is not something you can sit down and learn in one session, it is a daily process. Another challenge I have experienced is balancing NHM with running Four Sisters and preparing to further my education. They are challenges, but at the same time it is rewarding because in the end it serves to help others.
At 22 yrs you have achieved quite a lot with your organization and business, how do you stay grounded?
I must be honest and say that it's definitely not easy to stay grounded. I continue to push forward, however, because I have so much support from my family and they are the ones who keep me grounded. In terms of the New Hope Movement--one thing I discovered over time is that it’s best not to share everything with everyone because too many visions could eventually make yours something completely different. I make sure that the people I consult with are trustworthy, wise, and are as passionate about the cause as I am. With Four Sisters Beauty supply without the support of the girls, it simply could not function. The key word to remaining grounded overall is support, support, support.
Of success, achievement and life.
I have seen and heard of people who have an abundance of money, ideal jobs, houses, and cars yet are still unhappy. In my opinion, that is not at all success. I believe that we were all created by God to perform certain duties in this life. To me, we are successful when we operate in our divine purpose. When we discover what it is we are born to do and actually do it, I think that we gain a true sense of fulfillment and happiness.
Honestly, I want to leave a legacy. I want to do everything I was created to do and do it well. I want to be well-educated, have a family of my own, and be able to take care of my friends and extended family as well. The greatest achievement l want to have though is to make a positive change in people's lives around the globe, but I want it to be a change that will last for generations to come.
When it’s all said and done, I want people to remember me by my faith in God. I say this simply because it has brought me to where I am now and I believe it will carry me to an even greater future. I honestly would be far from telling the truth if I said it was by my own strength or even my own wisdom that has brought me to even this point in my life. I want people to be able to see what I was able to do in my life and attribute it not to me, but to the great God I serve who was able to work through me and can do the same for them.
Who does a woman of substance to you?
A woman of substance is God-fearing, extremely loving, not arrogant, hypocritical, or deceitful, but very modest, truthful, and humble. She is one who does not compromise her beliefs for any person or situation. She is proud of who she is, where she comes from, and always has a large vision of where she is going. A woman of substance does not let anything stop her from being who she is.
Can you share with us some words of wisdom that you live by?
"Any and everything is possible through faith in the Lord. Don't limit yourself with simply TRYING to do something, just do it."
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I think Mameisia is truly phenomenal. Lovely story.
Inspirational
Love her!!!
Great story