Get disabled children back to school
Our Team
Eleanor Massah Abdulai, CEO & Founder
Eleanor Massah Abdulai, CEO & Founder
Eleanor Massah Abdulai, CEO & Founder
Eleanor's story starts in a village called Tongo in the eastern province of Sierra Leone. She grew up with other children, enjoying the love of her family, the warmth of the sun, wildlife, and the authentic sound of running streams. A breezy evening in 1998 changed her life beyond imagination. At the age of 10 years old, Eleanor accident
Eleanor's story starts in a village called Tongo in the eastern province of Sierra Leone. She grew up with other children, enjoying the love of her family, the warmth of the sun, wildlife, and the authentic sound of running streams. A breezy evening in 1998 changed her life beyond imagination. At the age of 10 years old, Eleanor accidentally stepped on a land mine that ripped off the lower part of her right leg below the knee and almost amputated her right arm. She thought she would die but against the odds she survived and got my education and a job in Freetown. Now she is a grown woman with a daughter of her own, She does not want other disabled kids to go through the abandonment she experienced. Kids with disabilities should be valued. That’s why she started the Disability Empowerment Movement of Sierra Leone, Demsl.org.
Louise Twining-Ward, Chair of Board
Eleanor Massah Abdulai, CEO & Founder
Eleanor Massah Abdulai, CEO & Founder
Louise (known as Kona in SIerra Leone) met Eleanor in 2018 on an evening walk along Lumley Beach. She was visiting Sierra Leone as part of her work for the World Bank. Eleanor was playing soccer with the Single Leg Amputee Soccer Association SLASA at the time. The two exchanged contacts and kept in touch. A year later Louise became a f
Louise (known as Kona in SIerra Leone) met Eleanor in 2018 on an evening walk along Lumley Beach. She was visiting Sierra Leone as part of her work for the World Bank. Eleanor was playing soccer with the Single Leg Amputee Soccer Association SLASA at the time. The two exchanged contacts and kept in touch. A year later Louise became a founding member of the Disability Empowerment Movement Sierra Leone. Louise has established a link to a soccer club in Brooklyn AYSO, and connected Eleanor to the NGO ASPIRE and Prosethetics In Motion who are helping her to take her first steps on two legs.
Board Secretary
Board Secretary
Board Secretary
Suzanne, known as Salimatu in Sierra Leone, was born in The Netherlands. She has been living in Sierra Leone for two years. She works at Aurora Foundation as a programme manager for Aurora Impact, a programme that focuses on capacity development of young Sierra Leoneans and entrepreneurs.
Suzanne got to know Eleanor through Louise, who sh
Suzanne, known as Salimatu in Sierra Leone, was born in The Netherlands. She has been living in Sierra Leone for two years. She works at Aurora Foundation as a programme manager for Aurora Impact, a programme that focuses on capacity development of young Sierra Leoneans and entrepreneurs.
Suzanne got to know Eleanor through Louise, who she met in Freetown in 2019. She was inspired by hearing Eleanor's story and loves helping disabled children in Sierra Leone. She is the official DEM-SL photographer and now Board Secretary .
Field Officer
Board Secretary
Board Secretary
Rashid Sandy is DEMSL's Field Officer. He volunteered for DEMSL for two years before applying for the position. He manages the day-to-day well-being of our beneficiaries in Sierra Leone. With children supported all over the country, Rashid is busy coordinating donations, checking on the children's medical condition, accompanying them to
Rashid Sandy is DEMSL's Field Officer. He volunteered for DEMSL for two years before applying for the position. He manages the day-to-day well-being of our beneficiaries in Sierra Leone. With children supported all over the country, Rashid is busy coordinating donations, checking on the children's medical condition, accompanying them to health visits and making sure they have all they need to attend school.
Board Treasurer
Board Secretary
Board Treasurer
Ibrahim works for the Bank of Sierra Leone. He has known Eleanor since 2016 and saw the passion and love within her for people living with disabilities, especially children, orphans and street kids. Ibrahim encouraged and supported Eleanor to found DEMSL. He has been part of every DEMSL activity because he believes in Eleanor and knows
Ibrahim works for the Bank of Sierra Leone. He has known Eleanor since 2016 and saw the passion and love within her for people living with disabilities, especially children, orphans and street kids. Ibrahim encouraged and supported Eleanor to found DEMSL. He has been part of every DEMSL activity because he believes in Eleanor and knows she is determined to change the narratives of these children. Ibrahim is the Finance Administrator and Field Operations Manager for DEMSL.
Our Volunteers
Cate Twining-Ward, Volunteer Sports
Mustapha Moeba Sheku Turay, Volunteer
Mustapha Moeba Sheku Turay, Volunteer
Cate is a marathon runner and competitive sport climber who has been involved with DEMSL since its inception in 2019. She is a longtime ally of Eleanor Abdulai, the founder of DEMSL, and has advocated for disability empowerment through fundraising, editorial support, and athletic coaching. In 2023, she raised thousands of dollars to suppo
Cate is a marathon runner and competitive sport climber who has been involved with DEMSL since its inception in 2019. She is a longtime ally of Eleanor Abdulai, the founder of DEMSL, and has advocated for disability empowerment through fundraising, editorial support, and athletic coaching. In 2023, she raised thousands of dollars to support DEMSL children with money for school fees, and she is currently raising money to continue this effort by running the New York City marathon in November 2024.
Mustapha Moeba Sheku Turay, Volunteer
Mustapha Moeba Sheku Turay, Volunteer
Mustapha Moeba Sheku Turay, Volunteer
Moeba is a volunteer for Demsl Sierra Leone. He has a BSc. in Human Resource Management and is taking a Minority Inclusion at certificate present. Morba was inspired to work with Eleanor since 2015 when he met her one evening on an impromptu visit. The discussions and stories he heard were sad but she always gave Morba something to smil
Moeba is a volunteer for Demsl Sierra Leone. He has a BSc. in Human Resource Management and is taking a Minority Inclusion at certificate present. Morba was inspired to work with Eleanor since 2015 when he met her one evening on an impromptu visit. The discussions and stories he heard were sad but she always gave Morba something to smile about in the midst of every story. So a few years later, when Eleanor did start her organisation the Disability Empowerment Movement, Morba became one of the first volunteers for demsl