Personal information
Name: Fatmata Balu Kamara
Date of Birth: 15-01-2001
Country: Sierra Leone
Study: Nursing
Why I need the iSTEPup Foundation
I believe this opportunity will really help me grow as a nurse. It’ll also let me give back more to my profession and to Sierra Leone.
Nursing has always been my dream. I genuinely care about people and I want to serve my country. Over time, through hard work and showing up every day, I’ve built good experience and earned the respect of my colleagues at work.
Working as an emergency nurse taught me how to handle very sick patients under pressure. In paediatrics, I’ve gotten much better at caring for newborns and children. Right now I’m the shift lead in the paediatric department — a role I don’t take lightly. It’s pushed me to become a better leader and work closely with my team, especially when managing sick children.
I’ve learned a lot, but I still struggle to move forward in my career. My long-term goal is to become a nursing educator I don’t just want to practice nursing, I want to teach and mentor the nurses coming after me so they can serve our country too.
With the right support, I know I can grow and make a real difference in nursing here. I’d be truly grateful for the chance to benefit from the iSTEPup Foundation’s support.
Buddy
Suzanne Tween, General Practice Trainee United Kingdom
During my time working at Masanga Teaching Hospital in Sierra Leone, I had the pleasure of working closely with Fatmata Balu Kamara. From the beginning, Fatmata stood out as a dedicated and compassionate nurse who consistently demonstrated a strong commitment to patient care and professional growth.
While working as a State Registered Nurse intern, Fatmata quickly gained the respect of both colleagues and patients through her calm approach, reliability, and willingness to take responsibility. Masanga is a busy rural hospital where nurses often work under significant pressure, yet Fatmata approaches these challenges with professionalism and determination.
Over time, I also saw her leadership abilities develop. Her promotion to head of shift on the surgical ward reflects the trust that the hospital team places in her judgement and work ethic. She is someone who naturally supports her colleagues and takes pride in helping others learn.
Fatmata has expressed a strong ambition to become a nurse tutor, motivated by the desire to train future generations of nurses and improve the standard of healthcare in Sierra Leone. I believe this goal reflects both her character and her long-term commitment to her community.
I am very pleased to support Fatmata’s application to the iSTEPup programme. With further education and support, I am confident she will make a meaningful contribution to nursing education and healthcare in Sierra Leone.
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