AYV News, May 29, 2025
Founder and CEO of Mariyam’s Ways Foundation (MWF), Mariyam Lorba Konneh has invited her peers in particular and Sierra Leoneans as a whole, to join her in making a positive difference in Sierra Leone, and the world at large.
Mariyam Konneh said, “My journey continues, and I invite everyone to join me in making a positive difference in my beautiful country, Sierra Leone, and the world at large.”
She is dedicated to her mission of engaging and empowering women, young people especially girls, to achieve healthy body, healthy mind & healthy community.
On World Menstrual Hygiene Day, Mariyam Konneh hosted a high-level Menstrual and Feminine Hygiene Awareness Conference, at the Radisson Blu Mammy Yoko Hotel in Freetown.
Most of the speakers at the conference described the event as a bold step towards breaking the silence around menstrual health and empowering women through education.
A true definition of beauty with a purpose, Ms. Mariyam Lorba Konneh was AYV Miss University Sierra Leone 2022, Media Personality, Entrepreneur, Humanitarian and recipient of the 50 Most Influential Women in Sierra Leone Award.
This ambitious young woman (aged 20) already the owner & CEO of a successful business. A Beauty Queen – former Miss University Sierra Leone, Media Personality, Entrepreneur, Humanitarian and recipient of the 50 Most Influential Women in Sierra Leone Award; Ms. Mariyam Lorba Konneh is multitalented and has an outstanding profile good background. She brings a rich blend of cultures, values and experience to the global stage. She credits her multicultural upbringing with shaping her perspective on humanity, integrity, and resilience.
Ms. Mariyam Lorba Konneh is a third-year Banking & Finance student of the Institute of Public Administration and Management (IPAM), University of Sierra Leone. As a young professional, Mariyam has participated in several academic trainings and she holds a certificate in Computerised Accounting from Bluecrest College, Freetown; and certificate in Business & Accountancy Expert from the International Business Management Institute, Berlin, Germany.
Professionally, Mariyam works in the beauty, fashion business and multimedia as presenter at the AYV MultiChoice DStv channel 399, where she has helped institutions and individuals tell impactful stories and connect with purpose.
Mariyam is a dynamic young woman dedicated to making meaningful impact through leadership, entrepreneurship, and advocacy. At just 20 years old, she is the founder of Mariyam’s Ways—a beauty company and a popular Tv talk show platform that empowers young people through storytelling, education, and style.
With a keen eye for business and a heart for community development, Mariyam has led initiatives across Sierra Leone promoting feminine hygiene and raising awareness on the impact of drug abuse on women and girls. Her platform is rooted in dignity, education, and healing—ensuring no girl is left behind because of stigma, silence, or lack of access.
Mariyam has been recognised as one of the 50 Most Influential Women in Sierra Leone and recognised by the Kids Advocacy Network (KAN), due to her leadership abilities and incredible work as founder and CEO of Mariyam’s Ways Ltd and TV Talk Show. She is an outstanding advocate for menstrual health and mental wellness among young women and a champion of youth-centred discussions tackling real-life issues and untold stories.
Mariyam is a purpose-driven, dynamic, and multifaceted Sierra Leonean woman whose life is rooted in passion, service, and purpose. With a heart filled with compassion and a vision to uplift others, she represents the perfect blend of beauty and brilliance.
From walking into underserved communities with sanitary pads and mentorship to documenting rural education realities and representing Sierra Leone on global stages, Mariyam has demonstrated a true character of a role model and champion for a better world and her work speaks of great impact.
Mariyam came from a humble background and her journey to public service began with a childhood act of kindness. At the age of 12, Mariyam initiated her first school feeding program on her birthday, sharing a meal with classmates who couldn’t afford lunch. That single act inspired and taught her the true joy of giving and ignited her lifelong passion for humanitarian service.
Her qualifications and hard work have strengthened her ability to manage purpose-driven projects, drive sustainable development, and ensure integrity and accountability in all she does. Mariyam has led a Menstrual Hygiene School Tour across various communities, engaging young girls and distributing sanitary pads; and fed over 200 orphans and vulnerable individuals on the streets in the rains to show love and dignity.
During festive periods, Mariyam would visit children in needy centres including the ‘’ My Home Orphanage’’ to celebrate and share joy with children. She has hosted a youth mentorship event in Lumley Freetown, engaging over 300 young people in meaningful mentoring sessions. She has also facilitated grassroots health dialogues, especially for women and girls in low- income areas.
In recognition of her outstanding work, Mariyam became the face of a documentary highlighting the need for 500 schools in remote Sierra Leone, which earned her the opportunity to present in China.
Mariyam is the host of “Mariyam’s Ways” on AYV DStv across Africa, a platform for youth voices and inspiration. She uses her social media platforms to share positive messages, personal insights, and educational content. She often speaks at events and community panels on gender, youth, and storytelling for social change.
Mariyam was crowned Miss University 2022; Miss Beacon 2020 (her high school) and has served as School Prefect. She has represented Sierra Leone at Miss University Africa and presented findings from the 500 Schools Project at an international event in China.
Mariyam is a strong advocate for the environment and has been involved in climate change programmes. She leads regular beach clean-ups to promote environmental awareness among youth and local communities.
Mariyam Lorba Konneh is a goodwill Ambassador of a community wellbeing and surf therapy mental wellness programme through the United Sierra Leone Wave Alliance and she was part of the team that engaged VIMTO International (the global drink brand) and other institutions including the AYV Media Empire, The Ministry of Tourism and Cultural Affairs, the National Tourist Board, the Ministry of Gender and Children’s Affairs; and she helped secure support for a youth and community wellbeing and education programme in Sierra Leone.
Mariyam supports the Wave Alliance in Sierra Leone, which is a coalition of community -based development organisations that have successfully introduced evidence-based health programmes to communities across Sierra Leone. The impact of the programme has been documented and published at https://www.mdpi.com/1660- 4601/18/12/6267 in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health and several other international institutions including the Commonwealth. The alliance is coordinated by a team of young leaders with additional technical assistance provided by Waves for Change, an international award-winning non-profit that has pioneered the use of surfing as a health intervention. Monitoring and Evaluation support is provided by Edinburgh Napier University in the United Kingdom.
