Today I have some wonderful news!
Many of you know that at the start of this year, I went to Sierra Leone for my PhD girls bikes-for-education fieldwork.
I was there for three weeks and came back just before COVID-19 shut down travel.
I was based in Lunsar, which is an ex-mining community about 1.5 hours out of the capital city, Freetown.
I was living with Karim ‘Stylish’ Kamara and his fantastic partner Francess. Stylish is the Country program manager for Village Bicycle Project.
While there, I spent lots of time gathering research data with Stylish as a research participant and working with Stylish and others on VPB projects to see how bicycles featured in girl’s access to education in the local area.
I spent also lot of time with Stylish, Francess, our neighbours and community members learning as much as I could about local life, cooking, customs and talking to as many people as I could -always open to learn more.
While I was there, Francess was pregnant with Stylish and her first child.
L to R: Ben, Nina, Kao & Stylish. Lunsar, Feb 2020. 
Francess showing me how to cook crain- crain. 
Stylish & Nina. Lunsar, Feb 2020.
I just received the news that Francess gave birth to a beautiful, healthy baby girl!
Congratulations!
Both mother and baby are doing well! Hooray!!
If that is not enough cause for celebration, Stylish and Francess named their daughter Nina – after me!
What an unexpected honour!
I had no idea they were thinking of doing this and was floored when they told me.
It is such a privilege and a delight.
Welcome to the world – Nina Sarah Divine Kamara!
Lil Nina is the most adorable baby and I am so happy for both Francess and Stylish!
So, dear readers, it gives me great pleasure to officially introduce you to Nina Sarah Divine Kamara! Born July 9th 2020.
A huge warm welcome to Lil Nina from our eclectic, diverse and internationally extended family!
