Tεnki means “Thank you” in Krio.
We express our gratitude by giving back to the community, and provide lasting contributions to the health, education and economic development of Sierra Leone
LEARN MORE ABOUT OUR MISSION, PURPOSE, AND ROOTS.
JOIN US ON THIS JOURNEY OF APPRECIATION AND GROWTH
Mission, Vision, & Values
To establish an online network of cultural exchange developed by the Sierra Leone community to invest in the future of our mothers and children.
We work to provide self-sustaining resources for improved health and education of the mothers and children in Sierra Leone. We strive to create a community where children are able to reach their fullest potential and pregnancy does not endanger the lives of women.
Our Values
We shine LIGHTS on the community and the possibilities for advancement in our country. We value:
Life
And the contribution of each person in the community.
Ingenuity
And critical thinking to provide novel solutions to complex problems.
Gratitude
For what we've received, accomplished and the blessings yet to come.
High Quality
Programming and health and education services.
Transparency
In all we do.
Self-Sufficiency
And sustainability.
Meet the Tenki Team & Board
From Sierra Leone, to the US, and back. Our journey started from a shared passion to empower others, transform lives, and bring a dream from its infancy into fruition.
Mamie Ndawah-Massaquoi
Mother & Foundation • Senior Advisor
“Hope… is the companion of power, and the mother of success; for who so hopes has within him the gift of miracles.” – Samuel Smiles
Our mother taught us this. She raised 8 kids on her own, while working 2 jobs and going to school part time, and even in poverty, she never hesitated to open her doors and help others. Having her as a mother taught us about perseverance, God and what limitless hope and possibilities are all about.
She came to the states to improve the lives of her parents and is now our inspiration to improve the lives of a country.
Wonoh & Mariama Massaquoi
Mariama: Executive Director (Board Member)
Wonoh: (Board Member)
Wonoh and Mariama started on this journey to help Sierra Leone from their passion to empower others and transform lives. They are co-founders of Tenki and are part of the board.
Wonoh is a film producer who received her masters at the University of Southern California (USC), a certified teacher and an expert in community development.
Mariama is double board-certified in family medicine and family medicine obstetrics with an MPH from Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. She currently works full-time for the US Army.
Ayesha Bright
Program Director TBOW
Ayesha Bright is a writer and filmmaker working in government grant writing and living in San Francisco, CA. She developed and leads Tenki's Books On Wheels program, TBOW, and dreams of living in Sierra Leone part-time one day, running a coffee shop/cafe and making honey, while volunteering for TBOW program. In her spare time, Ayesha practices yoga, tries her hand at pottery, and spends time with her magnificent son Benjamin and wonderful partner Ryan.
Maria Valdez, MD
Program Director FOBUS (Board Member)
Maria is a board-certified family physician who is fellowship trained in emergency and point-of-care ultrasound. She is an Army veteran and has been working with Mariama since residency in 2014. Maria's family is originally from Mexico and having grown up in Compton Los Angeles, CA, she is passionate about giving back to underserved, low-resource communities.
Jitta Dupont
Strategic Planner and SOS Program Director
Jitta Dupont is a dedicated advocate for literacy and education, supporting Tenki Books on Wheels (TBOW) in expanding access to learning across Bo District, Sierra Leone provinces. With experience in emergency management, community development, and grant processing, she strengthens TBOW’s mission of delivering books, reading mentorship, and encouragement to children and families in underserved villages. Believing literacy is the foundation for confidence and opportunity, Jitta guides volunteers and educators while ensuring TBOW has the resources to inspire first‑generation readers and foster a culture of learning. Her commitment reflects TBOW’s vision of empowering young learners and building stronger communities through education.
Nate Bond
Medical Logistics Support
Nate is currently pursuing his MD at Oregon Health & Sciences University. He is a former Army Green Beret where he specialized in austere medicine. He has been working with Tenki since January 2024.
Nate is originally from Maine and has lived overseas for many years. While living and traveling abroad he developed a passion for global medicine and bringing health equity to resource limited environments.
Matthew Gartmann
Engineer • Technical Director
An engineer by trade, Matthew coordinates the operational architecture, infrastructure updates, and data structures across Tenki's projects. He builds and manages administrative frameworks during health training operations while spearheading planning mechanics for the School Transportation network and the Books on Wheels (TBOW) program.
Shanaz Ghani
Lead Education Advisor (Board Member)
Affectionately known as "Sister Shanaz," Shanaz is a retired teacher who currently works in a school district as a mentor to associate teachers. She is also a dedicated member of the Tenki Books on Wheels (TBOW) team, where she loves to help train local mentors and chip in wherever she can to support the organization's educational mission.
Benneh Massaquoi
Lead Children’s Book Editor and Developer
Benneh is a dedicated Tenki volunteer and journal contributor who actively supports the organization's on-the-ground initiatives. She plays a vital role in both the Tenki Books on Wheels (TBOW) program—having traveled to Sierra Leone to assist with its pilot launch—and the Maternal and Child Health Training Conference (MCHTC) missions across the provinces. Through her on-the-ground support and documentation of trips to places like Kenema, Benneh helps bring Tenki’s impact to life and ensures the successful rollout of critical literacy and healthcare programs.
Support Our Impact
100% of donations go directly toward equipment and sustaining in-country efforts for each initiative. Every single member of the Tenki team is a 100% unpaid volunteer.
Maternal Healthcare
Equips rural midwives with portable ultrasound tools, critical medications, and diagnostic clinical training.
Books on Wheels
Provides book circulation setups, reading mentorship, and nutritional support to rural children.
Sustainable Loop
A future effort to generate self-sustaining funds that support local artists and directly fund our Maternal Healthcare and Books on Wheels initiatives.