AMINATA CONTEH-BIGER

Held captive for months by rebel forces during the Sierra Leone civil war, Aminata Conteh-biger was eventually freed and, with the support of UNHCR, became the first Sierra Leonean refugee woman in Australia. Now living in Sydney with two children of her

MY FATHER KEPT ME PROTECTED until the war broke out. I went to a good school and had everything I needed, then, in 1999, I was kidnapped. My first experience having sex is really from a group of rebels who raped me on that first night. Between running away from shooting and guns and bombs, that became my life.

I ALWAYS TRY TO BE POSITIVE. I fought to be alive, so for me to have the life I have in Australia is a miracle.

I HAD MY DAUGHTER SARAFINA FIVE YEARS AGO in hospital in Sydney. I almost lost her because she was five kilos and my pelvis is very small. We had seven doctors just to deliver her. That experience made me curious and I discovered my country has one of the highest infant mortality rates. It didn’t sit well; a mother and her baby’s health shouldn’t be a privilege. I would have died giving birth if I was in Africa. Sarafina would have died.

I USED TO USE THE WORD EMPOWERMENT A LOT but I’ve learned you can’t empower somebody if you don’t give them responsibility. When I talk to people about my charity, I give them hope they can make a difference, then I say it’s our responsibility to look after each other.

IN NOT-FOR-PROFIT, PEOPLE SAY YOU SHOULDN’T GET TOO EMOTIONAL. Well, if I don’t get emotional, then where’s the humanity in it? We are connected through that.

THE BEST EDUCATION FOR MY CHILDREN is for them to value life and be kind. When you value people you will get through anything in life, and when you value yourself, you’ll be fine, even when people aren’t around.

THE ONE THING I WOULD PASS ON TO MY DAUGHTER is to be completely free in herself. Because when you’re free, you’re full of possibility.