Staff

Deborah Greebon

Deborah Greebon
Executive Director

After more than a decade working in international development, I am delighted to join OneVillage Partners and contribute to its unique model of holistic empowerment and long-term partnership with rural communities in Sierra Leone. When I first moved to the Global South (Honduras) to teach elementary school in 1999, I experienced many conflicting emotions – sadness and anger about the glaring economic disparities I encountered, joy in living more simply and learning to see beyond my ethnocentrism, belonging as I developed close ties to new friends and the culture, and hope when I got involved with a nonprofit organization for street kids and saw the power of effective grassroots programs to transform lives. Since that time, these sentiments have continued to motivate me as I lived, worked, and traveled in over 30 developing countries across Africa, Asia, and Latin America. I’ve worked for various development organizations, including CARE International, Management Systems International, WorldTeach, and the International Initiative to End Child Labor, with a focus on building the strategy and capacity of organizations through evidence-based program design, management, evaluation and training. I am a former Fulbright fellow and hold master’s degrees in international education policy (Harvard) and public and nonprofit management (Syracuse).  I’m honored to lead OVP’s remarkable team!

Aaron in Jokibu with Community Teacher Josephine and Income Officer Alpha

Aaron Ackerman
Program Manager

My first experiences in international development came shortly after college when I worked on rural youth development for a regional NGO in western India. After a few years of working in communications and program management for nonprofits focused on youth volunteerism and international human rights, I jumped at the opportunity to get involved with OneVillage Partners’ commitment to long-term, villager-led development. A Minnesota native, I was an International Studies/Political Science major at Middlebury College in Vermont, and spent my junior year abroad at l’Institut d’Etudes Politiques, Paris.

Sierra Leone-based staff:

Kari in Jokibu with Baindu, a local businesswoman

Kari Foley
In-Village Field Officer

I was born in Billings, MT but raised in Plymouth, MN just a short distance from Minneapolis. I graduated from the University of Minnesota—Carlson School of Management in 2009 with a degree in Nonprofit Public Management and Entrepreneurial Management. After a year working at a large financial services company, I decided to leave my job and head out for a new adventure. I was so happy to find OneVillage Partners and am so excited to be living and working in eastern Sierra Leone for the next two years! I love traveling and meeting new people, so this job is the perfect fit. In college, I traveled all over the world and have always held a special place in my heart for my travels in Africa. I knew I had to go back. OVP is giving me a wonderful Peace Corps-like experience that allows me to live and serve in the place I grew to love. For more information on my great adventure and the work I am doing in Sierra Leone, check out my blog at www.karifoley.wordpress.com.

Yusufu Johnny
Program Manager

Yusufu Johnny

My relationship to OneVillage has grown steadily since 2007. I originally began as both a beneficiary of the small business loan program and volunteer for cocoa and coffee trading. I used the loan capital to purchase a motorbike and begin a motorbike rental business. This is very important for our people since transportation is a big obstacle. Now, people can get their produce to market quickly or travel to the hospital. I have experience working with DALCON Trading Company in the trade of cocoa and coffee from 2003-2006 and have attended trainings on cocoa and coffee quality and leadership. As an advisor, I have applied this knowledge to my work with OneVillage, particularly our Agriculture and Income Generation areas. I was honored when OneVillage promoted me to Program Director and acknowledged my strong business, coordination, and communication skills.

I attended primary school in Jokibu and a nearby village. Today, I am married and have three lovely children, Musu, Yusuf, and Aninata. I enjoy working for OneVillage because it is gradually developing my community, the very place where my children are growing. I am eager to work towards self-reliance and have observed how our programs move the villages forward.

Morie tends to seedlings

Morie Dauda
Agricultural Expert, Jokibu

I was born in Jokibu in 1956 but have lived in numerous villages in the area, including Bunumbu, Segbwema, and Bo. I worked for the Ministry of Agriculture from 1972 – 1986 and during that time attended trainings on Rice and Vegetables Cultures; Soil and Upland Management; Mechanical Cultivation, Agronomy, Swamp Development, and Rice Milling. In 1987, I moved back to the villages to serve my people. Since the war, I have trained farmeres for Catholic Relief Services, World Vision, and GTZ. I have two wives and seven children. I am excited to work with farmers to increase the rice harvest.

John Joseph
Loan Officer, Foindu

John reviews a loan application

I was born in Foindu and attended primary school in the village until moving during my teen years. I studied for the Higher Teachers Certificate from 2004-2007 and was sponsored by OneVillage Partners to do so. After graduation, I became working as a loan officer for OneVillage as I was touched by the work the organization is doing for my people. I want the villagers to know that no matter the condition, I am here to support them. I have a wife and baby boy. In my spare time, I enjoy playing and watching soccer matches.

Nurse Kadiatu takes notes on a patient

Kadiatu Juanah
Nurse, Foindu

I was born in Foindu village in 1973 and attended primary school there. I completed Form 4 at the Bunumbu secondary school but had to drop out due to financial constraints. I was working alongside my parents on our farm when the war began in 1991. I went to a nearby displaced persons camp and began practicing as a Traditional Birth Attendant (TBA), which I continued until 2004. In 2005, I began work as a nurse aide at the Nixon Memorial Hospital in Segbwema and in 2006 I enrolled as a Community Health Nurse for this same hospital. I am interested in the health of the villagers and hope to work with everyone to improve the health care facilities. I am married with three children named Micheal, Ibrahim, and Victor.

Brima weighs coffee before bringing to the market