Adama Dumbuya: Rescued from Child Marriage, Rising Toward Her Dream
Published Fri, Jul 11, 2025
Written by Dana Kaltenberger
At just 18 years old, Adama Mohamed Dumbuya is already defying the odds stacked against her.
Adama comes from Fintonia Village in northern Sierra Leone and belongs to the Susu ethnic group. As the eighth of twelve children in a large, low-income Muslim family, life was never easy. But her greatest challenge came when she was only 13. Without her consent, she was given in marriage to a 33-year-old man in her village. On the first night in his home, when he attempted to force himself on her, Adama ran away—choosing freedom over fear.
She sought refuge with an uncle and soon enrolled at EduNations’ Hope Academy in Fintonia. But even as she pursued her education, the pressure from home continued. Her mother sent threatening messages, telling her she was no longer her daughter for rejecting the marriage. The emotional strain left Adama feeling unsafe and unsettled in her own community.
Desperate for help, she turned to EduNations’ social worker, who immediately brought her situation to the attention of the leadership. EduNations quickly moved her to Rokassa, where she could continue her education in a safer, more supportive environment. There, she began meeting regularly with a psychosocial officer who walked alongside her through counseling and mentorship. Over time, Adama began to heal. Her confidence returned. And her dream of becoming a lawyer came back to life.
Today, Adama is not only a survivor—she is a star student. She ranked second across all EduNations schools in this year’s national Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE), and she is recognized as one of the top students in Sierra Leone. She was recently accepted into EduNations’ Hope Academy Senior Secondary School in Rokassa, where she will begin 11th grade this September.
We are especially thankful that Adama has both her education and boarding fully sponsored by generous individuals who believe in her potential. This support has given her the stability and encouragement she needs to thrive.
“If it weren’t for EduNations,” she says, “I would be a mother to many children in the village by now, just like my peers.”
Adama is filled with gratitude. She thanks EduNations and its donors for rescuing her from the cycle of poverty and for helping her reclaim her future. She also extends her appreciation to the EPC churches in Sierra Leone and to Mr. Samuel Sesay, whom she now calls a spiritual father. Under his guidance, she gave her life to Christ and is now a proud and active member of the EPC church in Rokassa.
Adama’s story is a beautiful example of what’s possible when education, protection, and faith come together to restore hope. Her journey is just beginning—and it’s full of promise.
