About Me

Thank you so much for visiting the Yehri Wi Cry blog! Yehri Wi Cry (Krio for 'Hear Our Cry') was founded in the fall of 2010 by three childhood friends: Nadia Sasso, Zainab Fadlu-Deen and Marie Mansaray (Miss Sierra Leone USA 2010). The beautiful nation of Sierra Leone has a population of 5,363,669 people over a span 27,200 square miles of land. Although primarily known for its turmoil endured throughout an eleven-year civil war fueled by diamonds, Sierra Leone faces a great duel in the fight to eradicate infant and maternal mortality. According to Amnesty International, a woman in Sierra Leone faces a one in eight chance of dying from preventable complications of pregnancy and child birth. A highly contributing factor to the large proportions of fatal childbirths in Sierra Leone is the tremendous economic gap between the rich and the poor. The amount of women that cannot afford to seek the proper resources to carry a healthy pregnancy full term, heavily outweighs those who can.

YWC Ladies Hard at Work!!!!


Zainab, Marie, Nadia, Nadeen


As you all may know, the ladies of YWC are gearing up for their trip to Sierra Leone this summer, and guess what??!!! The shipments of Incentive Packages and Birthing Kits have arrived and been packaged!!!! Take a peek at the YWC ladies hard at work!!


Included in the incentive packages are full sized bottles of baby lotion, baby powder, and baby wash. The purpose of the incentive packages is to encourage expectant mothers to seek proper prenatal and antenatal care throughout their pregnancies. The incentive packages come with a blue carrying bag and an informational brochure on maintaining a healthy pregnancy and having a successful labor and delivery.







Are You Interested in Becoming a YWC Volunteer???

We want YOU on our team!! Would you like to be a part of an organization that seeks to improve the quality of life for a nation in need?? Do you believe you have the qualifications to meet any of the following skill sets???

  • Event Planning
  • Communications/Public Relations
  • Finance and Fundraising
  • Building Relationships and Partnerships
  • Web Graphics and Design

So many questions and YOU are the answer! Don't wait, fill out a Volunteer Application and a YWC team member will contact you as soon as possible! We're looking forward to hearing from you!

MTV Features Yehri Wi Cry




MTV FEATURES YEHRI WI CRY IN AN INSTALLMENT OF THEIR "ACT" CAMPAIGN

 CLICK HERE FOR THE FULL ARTICLE




The Ladies of YWC Share Mommy Memories

YWC Founder, Marie Mansaray: "Where would I be without her? She is my best friend, my sister, my confidant, my counselor, my rock, my father and best of all MY MOTHER! She makes my dreams come true single-handedly  and challenges me to be and do THE BEST time after time. In her eyes there is NOTHING Marie Mansaray can not achieve and as I follow in her footsteps I too believe that with her by my side that statement stands true."
Marie Mansaray (right) and her mother Jinah Koroma


Zainab Fadlu-Deen: "Every Valentine's Day ever since I've had enough sense to acknowledge Valentine's Day, (probably elementary school), my Mama has always given me a Valentine's Day Gift! Every year it's something special with a card. If I'm away from home that weekend I can always expect that package in the mail, it never fails :)  Her commitment to doing this for me every year has shown me not only a mother's love, but the beauty of love in general, and for that I humbly and gratefully thank her! Happy Mother's Day Mama!!"
Zainab Fadlu-Deen (right) and her mother Mary-Faith Kamara


Naffisatu Conteh: "One special moment that I had with my mommy is when I was first able to discuss boys  with her and when she helped me to get ready for  my first date. She gave me some.... interesting advice to use while on the date (lol). Another  moment is when I, along with my siblings, was driving somewhere  with my mommy,  and on our way to that destination, so many different moods occurred due to us  making fun of each other...good times :) The last thing is watching African movies and debating on it before even knowing the whole story.  Happy Mother's Day Mommy ( yes I still call her that), I love and adore you. Your baby girl Naffi!"
Naffi Conteh and her mother, Angela Kalokoh

Nadia Sasso: "My mother is my sister, friend, confidant, and most importantly "my mommy". I don't mean to sound cliché, but I honestly don't know what we would do without each other. I remember being so excited to move to college and leave home, but the minute I arrived I missed my mom and its because she is my biggest cheerleader; she knows all the right words to say, and at the right time. Working with YWC reminds me of the importance of my relationship with my mom and I would love to offer the same to the women and children of  Sierra Leone. I know how much or what you would want that to look like when you support Yehri Wi Cry!"
Nadia Sasso's mother, Sia Sasso



Agnes Erskine: "My mother has always loved to take pictures. And I thank God for it, because looking back through the albums takes me on a journey of the struggles, sacrifices and victories of a mother to three daughters. As a child, I did not always understand the methods behind her madness (lol) but now that I'm older I cannot even put into words the magnitude of my admiration for the tenacity that Mafereh Kamara Erskine embodies. She's blessed me with her courage, strength, love of God, and beauty ;) I can only hope that I'll be HALF as great a mother as she is one day. 
I LOVE YOU MOM and Happy Mother's Day!
Your BIGGEST baby (lol), 
Agnes Memuna."
Agnes Erskine (right) and her mother MaFereh Erskine

Mafereh Erskine



YWC Mamas, (left to right) Sia Sasso, Mary-Faith Kamara, Jinah Koroma

Nadeen Lewally: "Hmm Nucy has been my protector, my shield lol personal blanket! Always attempting to keep negativity from invading my growing experience but still keeping me AWARE. I appreciate that, granted I am a very nosy person and was fully aware of what was going on (side eye). Her protection has showed unconditional love, towards my brother and I, providing ALL that she can! Honestly strengthening us emotionally and mentally. And I admire that she shares  what she can literally give to others as well, believing in the power of love!"
Nadeen Lewally's mother, Nucy Lewally
















YWC's Marie Mansaray (Miss Sierra Leone USA 2010) takes YWC to Salone




The outpatient maternal center at Princess Christian Maternity Hospital (PCMH). April marked the one-year anniversary of the free maternal health care launch in Sierra Leone. Initially following the free care announcements outpatient centers were overflowing with mothers seeking care but over the course of a year many mothers have stopped turning to the hospitals for care.




Many women arrive at the hospital with just a lappa on. It is this same lappa that is used to wrap the baby.






Mariatu* arrived at PCMH following a home birth that went wrong.










Mariatu was fortunate to deliver a healthy baby despite her mishap.


Patricia Sandy earned her Midwife Certification three months ago.

Sierra Leone Independence Day GWB Ball 2011

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Saturday, April 9, 2011 the ladies of YWC had the opportunity to present their proposal at the highly anticipated Green White and Blue Ball in celebration of Sierra Leone's 50th year of independence. The event was a fun night enjoyed by all, and a wonderful chance to spread the word about YWC.


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YWC Spreads the Word at Bucknell University's Black Arts Festival


April 16, 2011: YWC had a BLAST at Bucknell University's Black Arts Festival, presented by the school's Black Student Union whose 2010-2011 president is Miss Nadia Sasso, one of our LOVELY co-founders! The day was full of fun, fundraising, food, music and SO much more! The fabulous Fadena's Jewelery Company was so kind to partner with YWC for the event, donating partial profits from sales to the organization. YWC had the pleasure of hanging out with the uber talented Five One band, as well as watch them perform. Check out YWC and Fadena's Jewelery in action!

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YWC members, Zainab Fadlu-Deen, Nadeen Lewally and Agnes Erskine with The Five One, and YWC supporter Beatrice Erskine.


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YWC member Nadeen gettin' her saleswoman on ;)