In order to survive the harsh economic and social conditions, Aminata had to challenge the prevailing attitudes about women drivers

It is this ambitious young lady, who at the age of 21 had already lived a life of hardship and triumph, a girl with grit and determination, that would become Rainbo’s first female driver.

Aminata dropped out school at age 14 in JSS 2 when she lost her parents and had no one to support her education.

She was brought to Freetown from the village by her aunt who promised her education but ended up in a miserable relationship after being forced to live with a 42-year-old office messenger at a music academy in Freetown.

Though against her wish, she had to live with this old man till she became pregnant a few months after. She was often molested and sexually abused but had no way to go or report because she was afraid been taken back to the village.

At a teen age, Aminata gave birth to her first child and then the 42-year-old husband had ran-away without paying the house rent. Aminata was left to take care of herself and her children and to pay the house rent.

The situation became worst when the house owner asked her to leave the apartment and was forced to stay with her friend who leaved in a single room

Today, as Aminata celebrates her birthday and marks her 8 month as RI’s first and only female driver, she takes a reflection of what life has been for her.

“It’s bad that women, like myself are often faced with such hurdles in life, I could remember hulking the streets of Freetown, selling cold water after my aunty had promised me better education when I lost my parents”.

Aminata explained how she worked tirelessly in the streets of Freetown to achieve her dream. She use to sell cold water and later started working at the restaurant where she saved some money to pursue a driving course that gave her opportunity to work with Rainbo

she was denied almost every little facility she had in the home when she resisted her aunt’s decision to love someone older than her late father.

She said “one day I was asked to make a choice either to live with the old man or leave my aunt’s house and never return. I knew it was a hard decision I had to make if I choose to leave her house, I will go in the street but in tears and pain I accepted to move and live with him”. He will always abuse me and maltreat me. I was depressed and wanted to leave but had nowhere to go especially when I was already months pregnant for him.

After I gave birth he left home and to date, not even in a dream have I seen him.

“One day, my neighbor recommended me to a local restaurant where I started cleaning dishes and helped with cooking. I wasn’t earning much, but I used the little I had to take care of my son and myself.

I wanted to do something and pursue a career, so I started saving from my little stipend to learn driving. After several months of saving, I enrolled at ChrisTex Driving School to learn driving and six months later I got my license. At first, I was employed as a taxi driver but later saw advert for Rainbo Initiative requesting for driver.

I applied and went through the interview process and was successful. Though I had no prior experience in driving Hilux or Toyota Landcruiser, but Rainbo gave me the opportunity to be trained and believed in my ability to drive. After several months of training, today I am excited to be one of their finest drivers.

“I am so excited because I felt my world is changing around, it all happened like a miracle. I feel very happy and safe in a working environment where everyone appreciates me.

With the help of Rainbo, I am now enrolling into an adult education programme and hope to sit to my BECE and WASCE to enter university to become a Human Resource Manager.

“I believe every woman have the power to change her story, its just a matter of making a firm decision and getting started”