Elfreda Kebbie 

I travelled to the United Kingdom in 2007 to further my education and moved to Bristol upon arrival. I attended the City of Bristol College through my employer to study Health and Social Care. Upon completion of my two years study period, I acquired a Diploma Level 2 & 3 in Health and Social care.
I am currently working towards my access course with the Open University as my first step to becoming a qualified nurse. I choose to become a qualified nurse and also an active community worker because of my passion for helping people.

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 I become involved with the Sierra Leone Bristol Association SLEBA, a local community-based organisation geared towards welfare, educational and social advancement of Sierra Leoneans. I met women who were involved in and passionate about female empowerment. A separate organisation Sierra Women Independent Group Bristol SWIG was launched which I was intimately involved in setting up.  The aim of the SWIG is to engage with and provide mentoring and guidance services to both women and girls. Working with SLEBA and SWIG has spurred me to use my knowledge and passion in these areas. I am also a member of the Bristol Safeguarding children board, advocating for girls at risk of Female Genital Mutilation which is prevalent in communities in Bristol.  I am also a member of Lived Experience Campaign Team who campaign for people with lived experiences and transforming their lived experience into academic qualifications. I am inspired by these groups and committed to help create a more caring and cohesive community.

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As chair of SWIG and an executive member of SLEBA I am determined to ensure the support of women and girls remain very high on the agenda and provide them with the same focus and inspiration. SWIG hosted  an FGM conference in June 2018 to create awareness of the risks of Female Genital Mutilation prevalent in communities in Bristol. We aim to engage community groups, health professionals, teachers and the police to work as a team in tackling the risk of Female Genital Mutilation.