Mariama Alpha Timbo, who happens to be the first female commercial bike rider in Makeni City has gone back to school, following proceedings she made from the trade.

Commercial bike riding is a trade that has helped many young people in Sierra Leone to earn their daily living, stabilizing their economic security, and social support and reducing the rate of unemployment.

According to NewsFeed Sierra Leone, Mariama had wasted two years rewriting the West Africa Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) to get her requirements and enroll in a university, but due to the lack of financial support, she only sat the examination once in 2020.

Mariama Alpha Timbo said that she had to go the hard way to make it and eventually met with the Chief Executive Officer of E- Women in Makeni.

“I decided to go to the E-Women Organisation office after I heard about them, I met with the CEO and explain to him that I want to be empowered as a dropout from school due to financial support,” she said.

She continues, “The CEO accepted me and first asks me what I’m good at then I told him I can ride a bike, and he was amused and promised to get back to me. Less than four weeks, he informed me that I have benefited from a World Bank-supported project through the organization with a brand-new licensed Motorbike.”

However, she further highlighted her challenges as a female commercial Motorbike rider, ranging from people fearing to onboard her bike because she’s a woman and the fear of accidents.

“As a female, the male riders are rough and ride with speed, but I’m coping now. At the same time, I am encouraging passengers to believe a female can do it and for the police, I’m grateful as they encouraged me not to be too late and to be careful with the road signs and always be well dressed,” she explained.

Timbo knows the importance of education and believes without it she cannot be the woman she dreams of becoming and changing the lives of her family members.

She revealed that she has paid for this year’s WASSCE exams with the proceeds she earns from the bike riding.

“With the little, I have from riding, I have now paid my WASSCE fees and am ready to write this year’s examination,” she said.

Timbo challenged other women in the country to empower themselves and encouraged anyone who wants to come into bike riding to reach out to her.

“Motorbike riding is not easy, but I encourage another female to come on board as I’m open to partnering with anyone who chooses to be a Motorbike rider instead of being a commercial sex worker or depending on a boyfriend who can sometimes disappoint them. I am calling on my colleagues to see the need for self-empowerment,” she concluded.