Ernest Swaray is the Project Manager for CRADLE SMART in Sierra Leone. In this profile, he talks about coordinating a complex maternal health programme, why management is at the heart of better healthcare, and what keeps him motivated.
Ernest Swaray didn’t train as a clinician, but his work sits at the very centre of CRIBS Global’s efforts to improve maternal health in Sierra Leone. As Project Manager for the CRADLE SMART programme in Sierra Leone, he is the person who makes things happen on the ground: coordinating healthcare workers, community members, researchers, and government partners to ensure that a complex, multi-strand project stays on track.
“My role is to coordinate the different aspects of the project,” he explains, “from planning and stakeholder engagement to field implementation, data management, and reporting. It is a role that requires both technical skills and strong relationships with people, which I genuinely enjoy.”
Management as a force for good
Ernest studied Management, a choice that might seem at odds with a career in global health, but one that he sees as entirely natural. “I have always been interested in leadership, problem-solving, and how organisations can create positive change,” he says. “Over time, I realised that good systems, planning, and leadership can have a direct impact on people’s lives.”
That understanding eventually led him to maternal health, an area he describes as one where “even small improvements can have a huge impact on families and communities.” Seeing how many women still face challenges in accessing quality care strengthened his sense of purpose. “Being able to support programmes that help mothers receive better care and safer pregnancies is something I find deeply meaningful.”
Working on CRADLE SMART
Ernest describes his experience of the programme as “exciting and meaningful.” Being part of an initiative introducing innovative approaches to maternal healthcare and seeing the impact at community and facility levels is, he says, very rewarding.
The moments that stay with him are grounded in real change: a healthcare worker gaining new skills, a community becoming more aware of maternal health issues, a pregnant woman receiving timely care. “Those moments remind me why I do what I do,” he says. “I also enjoy bringing people together and finding practical solutions to challenges.”
Navigating challenges with resilience
Working in resource-limited environments, where expectations are high and supplies are stretched, is one of the most significant challenges Ernest faces. But he is candid about how he approaches it: “I see challenges as opportunities to learn and improve. They have helped me become more resilient and solution-oriented.”
His experience working with CRIBS Global as a whole has reinforced this outlook. “I have had the opportunity to work with dedicated professionals from different backgrounds who are all committed to improving maternal health. The environment encourages learning, collaboration, and innovation.”
Looking ahead
In the next five to ten years, Ernest hopes to take on greater leadership roles in health programme management, continuing to grow while making a meaningful contribution to improving healthcare in Sierra Leone and beyond.
Outside work, he reads widely, particularly books on leadership, management, and personal growth and enjoys local travel at weekends, visiting new communities and learning about different cultures. Time with family and friends, he says, keeps him grounded.
“I believe that no matter your profession, what matters most is the impact you make on people’s lives. I may have studied Management, but I have found my purpose in supporting health programmes that improve the lives of women and families. That sense of purpose continues to motivate me every day.”