ABOUT US
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Our Story
When I met Paul in California, I had been working to support children and people in need back in Ghana for many years. Paul and I soon realized that we shared a love of service to others, as well as music and travel. When I brought Paul to visited my family and village in Ghana, he saw how much people needed help and knew he had to do something. He understood that we needed to do more and we decided to focus our support efforts on the children and working mothers in Northern Ghana. I love how much the village children love Paul and how he connects with everyone in the community. The community loves and accepts him, which makes our work so much easier and more meaningful.
We are a very small team, with each of us having our own businesses at the moment and working hard at everything we do. We each wear many hats and play many roles. We do our best to meet the needs of the communities we work with and love that we can see how progress has been made.
Princess Aisha Sibri, CEO
I'm Princess Aisha, the CEO and co-founder of Naa PaulAisha Eco-Village.
I grew up in a village called Yendi, in Northern Ghana, near Tamale. I'm part of the Andani royal family of the Dagomba tribe. My grandfather was the king of a Dagomba village called Burumani (also spelled Gburmani), near Tamale, whose kingship has been unbroken since the 1500s. My mother was a princess, so according to tradition, I am, too. My father was also from a royal family and was the chief of a village in the Tamale Municipality. I was the person in my generation chosen to have the family medicine traditions handed down to me by my uncle from a long line of healers. The women in my family also train in local diplomatic things and governing traditions. I put this sacred knowledge, energy, and love into everything that I do.
I had the opportunity to go to a Catholic vocational school where I learned how to sew and do handwork. I see this education is the reason that I was able to build a good life for myself and my son when I was a young single mother in Ghana and the USA and after I moved to New York City in 1991. I recognize the challenges facing the community in my old homeland and can see solutions to some of these issues. I feel so grateful that I have found a partner in my husband, Paul, who shares my love of helping people and wanting to be of service to the greater global community.
I feel very grateful for all of the love and support I have had in the United States and it makes me so happy to be part of such a wonderful community. I love sharing my culture and bringing joy and love to people in the communities that I am part of in the San Francisco Bay Area, my home for over 20 years. I try to give back to the country and communities that have given me so much by sharing my music and art with children and adults in the Bay Area, as well as working to help my people in Ghana.
My mission is for Naa PaulAisha Eco-Village to really help my village to grow and help people spread love and care, wherever they are.
asibri@yahoo.com
Paul Heynneman, Vice President
Aisha and I have both have had excellent luck with our skilled trades and found fulfillment and value in having practical skills, so we see the benefit of providing students in Northern Ghana with a creative and practical education. My attention to detail from my own trade and love of helping people has served me well and helps me in the process of growing this nonprofit.
When I first visited Aisha's home village with her 11 years ago, I saw the challenges and room for growth for the individuals and community there as well as her drive to hep. It is our mission to support those children and families who are living in poverty, often abandoned, and who lack the opportunity to attend school or gain skills that would help them support themselves and their families. I believe that we have made progress over the years in small ways and I am excited to see how we are expanding our vision and our reach over time.
pheynneman@gmail.com
The Team in Ghana
Karimu Sibri, Azara Sibdow, Fataiya Abubakari, and Latifa Karimu are the current leadership team members based in Northern Ghana.
(Pictured: Azara, Lasida, Aisha, and Fataiya)
Our skilled local team works to keep the projects progressing in Tamale and Yendi and working collaboratively with community leaders and members.
Karimu Sibri (pictured) is the director of the school project in Ghana. He manages the properties and building project.
Azara Sibdow is a main organizer and the director of outreach. She connects people in the far rural areas with resources. She has been working with the rural women and family for a long time.
Latifa Karimu has a degree in sewing textiles, including natural indigo dyeing of fabric, and serves as a community liaison and is an important member of the organization's team. She will serve on the faculty when the school opens.
Fataiya Abubakari manages many of the day to day details that goes into supporting the village community and will also serve on the faculty as a skilled artisan when the school opens.
We have additional skilled artisans and craftspeople who are excited to be teachers. Kalima will teach beading and jewelry making. Skina is a chef and will teach the cooking and nutrition classes.
Change From Within
