Dr. Imambay Kamara is a British-Sierra Leonean humanitarian, philosopher and disability rights advocate who has dedicated her life to serving others and challenging injustice around the world.Her remarkable journey is a testament to her extraordinary resilience and determination.Kamara鈥檚 life has been marked by significant challenges, including civil war, domestic abuse, Female Genital Mutilation (FGM), and societal stigma faced by families living with disability.
Her late mother, Haja Fatima Saptieu Badara Thorpe, played a pivotal role in shaping her compassion and determination to become a global voice for the marginalised.She earned a Doctorate in Humanitarianism from the Global International Alliance University (GIA) in Atlanta, USA, and has received numerous honorary doctorates and awards for her humanitarian works.
As the founder and president of two influential organisations: Disabled International Foundation UK/Sierra Leone (DIF UK/SL) and Dr. Imambay Kamara Global Humanitarian Foundation, she has impacted lives in numerous ways.
Dr. Kamara has constructed primary schools, founded an orphanage home, initiated a Beauty Leisure Centre and Boutique for women鈥檚 empowerment, and delivered humanitarian aid during crises.She has been instrumental in disability advocacy in Sierra Leone, contributing to the enforcement of the Disability Act and the formation of a National Disability Commission.This year marks a milestone of 25 years of unwavering humanitarian service and she has this to say about it: 鈥淭his year marks a special milestone of 25 years of humanitarian service.
鈥淚 will be celebrating the Silver anniversary of my foundation. We are calling it 25 years of hope, dignity, empowerment and lasting legacy. It is not just a celebration of time but if impact millions of lives touch across Sierra Leone and beyond from disability, advocacy, building school, empowering women, taking care of vulnerable children, this story has been about restoring dignity and giving voice to the voiceless.
鈥淭he Silver Jubilee is a moment to reflect, give thanks and re-commit to the work ahead.鈥
Dr. Kamara received the Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award from President Joe Biden, USA, becoming the first Sierra Leonean to receive this honor.
She has been recognized globally for her humanitarian work, including being named among the 100 Most Successful Women in the World and the 50 Most Influential Women in Sierra Leone.
From the look of things, the beautiful grandmother is not slowing down anytime soon as she talks about what lies ahead for her to achieve.
鈥淚 have been truly blessed by achieving a lot over the years but my journey is far from over. My work has always been about creating change real lasting and inclusive change and there is still much to do. looking ahead I hope to expand the Dr Kamara Global humanitarian foundation particular focus on sustainable empowerment for women and persons with disabilities.
鈥淚 am currently working on building a wellness centre where women who are abused, facing trauma, hardship can come to heal and learn new skills, to rebuild their confidence and dignity.Another thing I am passionate about is launching a global empowerment academy is a place for education, advocacy, training, leadership development especially for young girls and persons with disability in underprivileged communities.
鈥淚 also want to continue to.influence policies, reforms across Africa and beyond ensuring that accessibilities, inclusivity and equality are not just promised but realities. I believe in a world where no child is left behind because of the gender, background or their ability.Lastly,
鈥淚 have to finish my autobiography, 鈥榃orking in My Mother鈥檚 Shoe.鈥 This book is very personal to me and a tribute to my late mother and my journey and a message to the world that no matter where you start, you can rise.鈥 I am still going strong. My purpose is bigger than me and as long as there is breath in me, I will continue to serve.鈥
Kamara leads agricultural projects for youth empowerment and continues to provide festive aid programs, celebrating each birthday by bringing smiles to the underprivileged.
She is preparing for the release of her long-awaited autobiography, 鈥榃alking in My Mother鈥檚 Shoes鈥 (with a special chapter titled 鈥楽ilence No More鈥).