The new face of Sierra Leone: diamonds, football, and the heroes of maternal healthcare

When you mention Sierra Leone, thoughts often turn to diamonds, a brutal civil war, or perhaps football. But right now, this West African coastal nation is being talked about in a completely new light. An internationally respected publication recently named Isata Dumbuya among its Women of the Year – a health activist who has dedicated her life to reducing maternal mortality. Her work has brought hope to a country where giving birth has long been a life-threatening risk. Local midwives say that help is finally reaching the places that need it most – the remote rural villages.

The land of diamonds fights for mothers' lives

The Sierra Leone flag flies in green, white and blue – colours symbolising agriculture, unity, and the sea. But the reality has been far harsher. The country is one of the poorest in the world, and its women have paid the heaviest price. For decades, Sierra Leone was one of the most dangerous places to give birth. But thanks to women like Dumbuya, the tide is turning. Working with local health organisations, she has helped build midwifery training centres and health clinics in remote villages – places that were once beyond the reach of any aid. A familiar doctor in Freetown recently confided that they will open a third clinic next year.

Lions on the pitch and a rising cricket star

While healthcare is making headlines now, we mustn't forget the nation's sports fans. The Sierra Leone national football team, nicknamed the Leone Stars, has gathered supporters around the world. In recent years, the team has slowly climbed the FIFA rankings, and locals follow the matches with passion, seeing the nation's resilience reflected on the pitch. But did you know that the Sierra Leone national cricket team is also on the rise? Cricket has often played second fiddle to football, but the national team has surprised many in recent African cricket tournaments. The same fighting spirit that drives Dumbuya in her work is evident on the field.

Diamonds aren't the only resource

Diamonds from Sierra Leone – those words evoke mixed feelings. The country's diamonds have been both a curse and a blessing. These so-called blood diamonds were illegally smuggled out to fund armed conflicts. Today, the nation is trying to clean up its reputation, and the diamond industry is now subject to international oversight. But as Isata Dumbuya demonstrates, the country's real treasures are its women and young people. The programmes she leads have trained hundreds of midwives, and now every village has the chance to access professional help during childbirth.

• Green: agriculture and natural resources, like diamonds and coffee – but now also new health centres nestled in the green hills.
• White: the unity and justice the nation still strives for, led by activists like Dumbuya.
• Blue: the Atlantic Ocean and the hope for a better tomorrow – the same blue now found on blankets for newborns.

The future is being built by women

When I look at the Sierra Leone flag now, I also see Dumbuya's face. Her work is tangible proof that change is possible. While the Leone Stars chase their World Cup dream and the cricketers hit sixes, the country's mothers are finally able to give birth safely. It's a victory that doesn't just show up in statistics, but in living, breathing people. And that is more precious than any diamond.

New winds are blowing across West Africa, and at their centre stand courageous women like Isata Dumbuya. They aren't waiting for help from outside – they're building the future themselves. And here in the UK, we can only admire the grit and strength that enables a small nation to get back on its feet.