Hawa Agnes Bio (née Puvande), a proud Sierra Leonean of Mende ethnicity, has dedicated her life to education, community development, and the empowerment of women and young people. Her journey is one of resilience, growth, and commitment to improving lives through learning and skills development.

Her career in education began at Methodist Primary School in Gendema, where she served as an untrained teacher. But her strong desire for professional growth, she pursued formal training after gaining admission in 1994 to Bo Teachers College,now part of Njala University Bo Campus,where she successfully completed a three years teacher training program.
Even before this, during the 1993/94 academic year, she contributed to teaching at Islamic Primary School in Koribondo, further strengthening her foundation as an educator. Her academic background, including
completion of the GCE O-Level examinations, laid the foundation for her effective teaching career, which now spans over 16 years in primary education.

Hawa’s passion for education extended beyond the classroom. In 1993, she established HA Bio’s PreSchool at Biola Compound, a testament to her early commitment to train young minds. Although she temporarily left the preschool in 1994 to pursue her college education, her vision for community based education and empowerment only grew stronger.

In 1996, she founded the Muloma Women’s Skills Development Association in Koribondo, with a focus on training war affected girls, youth, and disadvantaged women in gara tie dyeing. What began with just five women Mamie S. Karteh, Mamy Foday, Bayeh Jabbie, Musu Kandeh, and Regina Gbao soon expanded.

With support from World Vision and the European Union, Muloma experienced significant expansion. The number of trainees rose to 250, and she engaged local artisans to support the training of both women and girls. The program provided not only practical skills but also training materials, toolkits for graduates, and financial assistance for trainees. Through her leadership, Muloma became a beacon of hope and transformation for many vulnerable individuals in the community.

Recognizing the need for sustainability and institutional support, Hawa advocated for financial assistance for the tutors she had trained and engaged. Her efforts were successful, and 15 tutors were officially recognized and placed on the government payroll.

This milestone marked a turning point, HA Bio’s PreSchool was transformed into the Muloma Maada Bio Memorial Pre-Primary School, while the training center gained official recognition as the Muloma Women’s Technical Vocational Center, located on Blama Road in Koribondo.

Despite her many achievements, Hawa faced personal tragedy. On April 20, 2005, her son, Maada Allieu Bio known as Madison passed away at the age of 16 and was laid to rest in Koribondo. In his memory, she continued her work with renewed purpose, ensuring that her initiatives would carry forward a legacy of hope and opportunity.

Over time, Muloma expanded its scope beyond skills training. The women’s group became actively involved in cassava production, processing, marketing, and value addition, creating sustainable livelihoods.
With the support from her sons, Hawa ventured into poultry and animal husbandry, leading to the establishment of Muloma Organic Oasis and General Merchandise.

Today, Muloma stands as a thriving organization, reaching greater heights through the continued dedication of Hawa Agnes Bio, alongside the involvement of Mr. Y. Bio and his team. Her life’s work remains a powerful example of how education, resilience, and community driven initiatives can transform lives and build a stronger society.