DREAMING BIG
People of the Mano River have resilience, determination and courage
But every day brings new challenges
We work with the local people to secure strong and thriving communities
DREAMING BIG
People of the Mano River have resilience, determination and courage
But every day brings new challenges
We work with the local people to secure strong and thriving communities
Our Approach
We founded MaRSDA in Australia but we’re from the Mano River region. We know the issues first hand and we’re working globally to resolve them.
The beliefs, opinions and ideas of the Mano River people are front and centre in everything we do. The African voice is at the centre.
They know what they need to do and how.
All our programs, services and activities are designed by the community for the community.
We partner with allies, groups and organisations on the ground and in the region.
We know we can’t do it all and we don’t always have the answers. But together, we make a difference.
Our values
- We’re all about working with people and communities. We’re not interested in doing things to people
- We don’t portray our people or our children as helpless in need of rescue
- We work from the principle of do no harm in every action we take
- We don’t use social media to make ourselves look good
- We focus on the stories of the Mano River people
Meet Victor | Founder Director
MaRSDA was founded by Victor Kpayah with a bold spirit and a big dream.
Gazing up at the dark starry night, sitting in a refugee camp, Victor doodled some notes under the moonlight and glimmer of the fading oil lamp.
He jotted down thoughts wondering where his life journey would take him next. His mission would be to help his people.
Born in Sierra Leone, raised in Guinea had its joys, triumphs and good humour. But it also shared its hardships and knock-backs.
Sadly, when Victor was just a child, his dad passed away. His Mum kept the family together keeping them strong. She valued education and worked hard to send her children to school.
Life changed. Struggles intensified during the Sierra Leone Civil War from 1991 to 2002. Victor, with his mum and siblings, were forced to live in a refugee camp. The children were given free education.
As a child, it felt good to have the chance to learn, but the conditions, due to the war, were difficult and challenges were considerable.
In 2004, when Victor was moving from adolescence to adulthood, he emigrated to Australia to a new, and very different life. He embraced his new beginnings and took full advantage of training opportunities.
With several qualifications under his belt, Victor has continued to work hard to realise his dreams.
While continuing to find his feet in Sydney, Victor:
- helps people on the ground, back home in the Mano River Region to launch and sustain development projects
- supports Mano River migrants to build new lives in Australia
- provides law consultation in his business, Kpayah & Associates Legal Eyes
Victor never lost hope. His energy and commitment to do what he can to help his people continues to grow with each moment that passes. Victor, and the other volunteers at MaRSDA, are extremely grateful for any support provided.
Victor Sahr Kpayah
Director and President
The MaRSDA Board of Directors
AUSTRALIA
Bernice Akachili
Director and Vice-President
Bernice has proven management skills developed over 14 years in health and community employment, as well as working with elderly people living with complex needs.
Her passion and motivations to bring about positive change in peoples lives shine through. Empathy is one of her core values in working with culturally diverse communities.
Ernest Sourie
Director and Treasurer
Ernest plays a huge role overseeing everything financial for the organisation.
He has over 10 years’ experience as a logistician in a large company.
His greatest passion and values are finding solutions to poverty and helping those in need. His loyalty and hard work define him.
Ernest’s love for football is nearly as much as spending time with his family and friends
Ruby Mackenzie-Harris
Board Member
Ruby is a corporate and commercial lawyer, with a focus on mergers, acquisitions, and commercial relationships.
Ruby loves spending time with her family, doing ParkRun, and salsa dancing. As a MaRSDA Board Member, she looks forward to seeing the projects in action one day.
Qualifications and experience
- Bachelor of Arts (International Studies)
- Bachelor of Laws
Ruth Minkov
Board Member
Ruth is a clinician, researcher and advocate working in the field of clinical neuropsychology.
She has experience in education and training, community building, and service development.
Qualifications and experience
- Master of Clinical Neuropsychology
- Postgraduate Certificate in International Business
- Australian Institute of Company Directors (AICD) NFP board governance training program
On the ground and in the Region
In GUINEA
Julien Yombouno
Chairperson and President
What Julien doesn’t know about education is not worth knowing.
Julien has an extensive career in Education, teaching French at high school and becoming a Headteacher. Julien is now a Minister of Labour for the current Guinean Government.
He’s bilingual in French and English, and author of 5 books.
Qualifications and experience:
- Masters’ qualification in Education Sciences and Linguistics
- Emergencies Specialist, Education for International Cameroon
- UNICEF Guinea as Quality Education Specialist.
Koumba Yvette Tolno
Vice-President
Yvette has twelve years’ experience as a Civil Servant, being responsible for Arts and Design at the same Ministry of Culture, Arts and Historical Patrimony.
Qualifications and experience:
- Vocational training graduate in Management and Accounting
- Background in teacher training
- Ministry of Culture, Arts and Historical Patrimony
Jonas Mamady Kamano
General Secretary
Jonas has extensive training and a career in projects and programme design, management, coordination, implementation, monitoring and evaluation, as well as in protection of human rights and peace building.
Alice Tewa Camara
Treasurer
Alice was born in the Republic of Sierra Leone. She was attending primary school in Liberia when her studies were disrupted by the civil war. Together with her parents, they escaped and relocated to Guinea as refugees.
Alice is a talented business woman with a keen knowledge of finance. She runs her own business selling beauty products and electronics as well as being the treasurer for MaRSDA in Guinea.
Qualifications and experience:
- WAEC (West African Examination Council) | equivalent of the French baccalaureate
Faya Moise Ouendeno
Information, Communication and Public Relations Officer
Mbemba Kourouma
Responsible of Planning and Training
Hawa Mansare
Organisation and Culture Officer
Hadja Fatoumata Sylla
Partnership and Resources Mobilisation Officer
Hawa Toure
Responsible for Cooperation and Solidarity
In SIERRA LEONE
Patrick Fayia Mansaray
President
Patrick has plenty of qualifications and training, particularly in social and humanitarian studies. In 2003, he completed a Leadership Training Course at the Jefferson Baptist Mission, Waterloo, Sierra Leone and was awarded certificate in leadership skills.
Qualifications and experience:
- Bachelor’s degree in Project Management | Atlantic International University
- Diploma in Theology
Rosaline Sitta Tombo
Vice President
Rosaline is a successful businesswoman. She’s won several awards for business ideas, innovation and management within Sierra Leone.
In the past she has worked in pastoral care in different missions in the country.
Ishmail Jalloh
Secretary
Ishmail studied at Njala University, Sierra Leone after finishing school. He’s since taken lots of other courses to help him work hard in his managerial positions.
Qualifications and experience:
- Diploma in computer training
- Agribusiness for development and food security
- Certificate in micro enterprise fundamentals business skills
- Making Cents International | certificate in ethical reporting
Philip Sahr Tengbeh
Treasurer
Philip spent his childhood in a refugee camp in Guinea having escaped the rebel war in Sierra Leone. He returned home after the 11-year war ended in 2002.
He’s a humanitarian worker and spent a decade working in this field. He speaks English, Kissi, Krio and a little French.
Qualifications and experience:
- Computer Science | Eastern Polytechnic Kenema
- Senior Consortia Monitoring, Evaluation, Learning and Accountability Manager
International Rescue Committee | Uganda- Kampala and Cameroon
UMU Thoronka
Public Relations Officer
Regina Beray Bangura
Internal Auditor
Obadiah Hallie Bongay
Manager
Jacob Sahr Tengbeh
Ex-Officio
In REPUBLIC OF LIBERIA
Julius Tengbeh
President
Julius is a big believer of diversity and equal opportunities for everyone, irrespective of their social, political, ethnic, religious or educational background.
He is highly competitive yet a team player. He is confident that his years of experience working with people of all walks of life and in challenging environments and situations, will assist him well in his work for MaRSDA.
Dee Paywala Tarnue
Vice President
Dee’s dream is coming to life being part of a team with like-minded individuals whose goals are tailored to helping others. She’s confident that as a team, MaRSDA’s success will be second to none.
She’s delighted to help the most vulnerable in the communities. Her studies and qualifications support her work.
Dickson R. Tamba Nyumatosa
Secretary
Dickson feels confident in his role as he has served as a general secretary in a variety of organisations, from the Victory Christian Church International Inc. Liberia to the All-Liberian Party.
Having worked as a research analyst and an Education and Media Officer, Dickson has a useful range of skills.
Joel Berrian
Treasurer
Joel has the background, knowledge and experiences to follow all financial procedures correctly from petty cash disburser, preparation of payroll, record filling electronically and manually for both internal and external clients, to being a Procurement officer when required.
He has previously worked as an Assistant Chief Finance officer, and served as Assistant Marketing Manager and HR Assistant at Head of Office Management for the Siafa Group.
Loria Pinky Clarke
Financial Secretary
Tamba Kendeh
Public Relations Officer
Belloh Rachel N. Sebeh
General Resource Manager
Klaber Scott Davies
IT Specialist
Christina Fayiah
Adviser
