Update on: Partners in Health's work in Sierra Leone, Africa

Written by MI Sara Swenson with additional information from the "Project for Awesome" website and MCOE

On February 13-15, 2026, the Project for Awesome hosted its annual event, where it raised awareness of charities that are doing good work across the world and raised money to distribute to the charities. Half of the funds raised go towards Partners in Health's work on the Maternal Center of Excellence in Sierra Leone, Africa, and Save the Children. The other half of the funds goes to a variety of charities voted on online over a few days.

The Project for Awesome started in 2007, launched fundraising in 2011 through its own organization, and has seen steady growth year after year. The Project for Awesome was co-founded by brothers John Green (New York Times bestselling author) and Hank Green (scientist and entrepreneur).

Funds Raised during the Project for Awesome

Last year, the PFA raised $3,739,917.69. This past weekend, they raised a record breaking $4,133,229.39. A large portion of this money raised will go towards the Maternal Center of Excellence (MCOE) in Sierra Leone, Africa. On February 14, 2026, the Maternal Center of Excellence opened its doors to its first patients. The Project for Awesome's fundraiser this past weekend is expected to donate over a $1,000,000 to the MCOE.

What is the Maternal Center of Excellence?

The Maternal Center of Excellence (MCOE) is a new, state-of-the-art facility designed for quality care delivery, innovation, and a model for training the next generation of health care workers in a rural setting.

"In partnership with the Ministry of Health (MOH) and Build Health International (BHI), who are leading the construction, PIH is working to ensure high-quality maternal and newborn health care is more accessible in Sierra Leone. As an extension of Koidu Government Hospital (KGH) in Kono District, it will dramatically expand the current 48-bed maternal ward and special care baby unit. The Birthing Center sits at the heart of the MCOE. This building will be the entry point for all mothers and babies admitted to the facility. It has two major operating theaters and one minor procedure room to attend to all critical cases. The MCOE is one of the few hospitals in Sierra Leone with cutting-edge biomedical equipment as well as wall-piped oxygen, thanks to the incredible work of BHI installing the medical gas systems throughout the Birthing Center and South Ward." (MCOE).