by Joyce Ray, ARI Volunteer
Originally written in 2023, we are republishing this text to accompany the upcoming issue of Take My Hand, containing updates from graduates in Sierra Leone. Get to know Ami from her time at ARI in this article.
Aminata “Ami” Conteh’s passion for women’s empowerment shines whenever she talks about her vision for the ten villages where she works. As a Field Officer with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Sierra Leone, Ami helps develop a feeling of community among the villages of many tribes and cultures, where many single mothers and widows live. She promotes the idea that mutual support is beneficial and results from caring about each other.
Her organization supports farmers by providing loans to buy seeds and wants to do more to improve agriculture so farmers can be self-reliant. Ami interviews non-farmers about what they want to do when funds are available. Some wish to buy goods in the city for resale in their village, e.g., Gari (a product of cassava), school bags, and supplies. A Village Savings and Loan project provides funds to start small businesses. Ami guides and monitors the businesses, trains owners to deposit regular savings, and helps them with long-range planning. These businesses enable women, many of whom are uneducated, to pay their children’s school fees.
At ARI, Ami faces the challenge of understanding differences while learning to live together. Though English is the language of ARI, sometimes different accents result in misunderstandings. Yet, in moments like seeing a workshop leader join the end of the lunch line, she is reminded about servant leadership and the importance of humility.
Ami’s favorite classes were on Dignity. She learned that respect is shown by recognizing each other’s opinions and appreciating contributions. She says, “You can appreciate the good parts of someone and keep the negative parts in your pocket.” Her first task back in Sierra Leone will be to train the workshop staff in Dignity. Her prayer is to “let them see something in me that will improve the office standard.”
Ami’s new skills in participatory learning will also enhance her ongoing work of teaching Gender Justice. Facing prevalent domestic violence, absent fathers, and strong discouragement against women by male co-workers in society, Ami wants to create awareness of women’s rights among African women, teaching them to voice out and negotiate for their needs. She says, “ARI has transformed my life, and I hope to transform women in my community.”
Want to know more about Ami's work since returning to Sierra Leone? You can receive Take My Hand through a donation to ARI via our US-based supporters organization, American Friends of ARI. Read more and donate here.
