About Us
Our project locations
GRO West Africa is currently implementing projects in Sierra Leone and Nigeria (see map). We support local initiatives such as agricultural programs, educational programs, library development, and the distribution of relief supplies. We are open to expanding our operations to other English-speaking countries in the region, including Ghana, Liberia, and Gambia.
Our source of inspiration
Inspired by Faith, Driven by Compassion
We are inspired by the Bible. The following texts encourage us to stand up for the poor, the sick, orphans, and people in need:
Psalm 82:3–4: "Give justice to the weak and the fatherless; maintain the right of the afflicted and the destitute. Rescue the weak and the needy; deliver them from the hand of the wicked."
Matthew 25:40: "Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to Me."
Proverbs 19:17: "Whoever lends to the poor lends to the Lord, and He will reward him for his deed."
Romans 12:8: "And if you have a gift for showing kindness to others, do it gladly''
By helping underprivileged children and adults, we give meaning to these words and are motivated from deep within to offer them new opportunities, enabling them to improve their living conditions now and for the future.
Our team
Arjé Willemze, Founder / Chairman
Arjé Willemze is an experienced organizer. After completing his Educational Technology degree at the University of Twente in 1998, he gained extensive experience in various IT management roles, ranging from process manager and team manager to service manager and product manager. For the past 13 years, he has worked in the library sector, where he is currently Product Manager for the IT systems supporting the Business Administration processes of KB, the National Library of the Netherlands.
Other board position(s): none
Dr. Sheku Kemoh Mansaray, Secretary
Dr. Sheku Kemoh Mansaray is an accomplished Sierra Leonean academician with a Ph.D. in Environmental Science, specialized in Economics of Natural Resources and Management from Mendel University in Brno, Czech Republic, an MSc in Economics and Management with major in Banking and Finance from Czech University of Life Sciences in Prague, Czech Republic, and a Bachelor of Arts with Honours in Political Science from Fourah Bay College, University of Sierra Leone.
With an extensive course delivery experience in Developmental Economics, Economics of Enterprises, Microfinance, International Agricultural Economics, Agricultural Policy, Agribusiness management, Banking and Finance, Conservation/Ecology and Political Science plus sound experience in marketing, sales and relief work Dr. Sheku K. Mansaray brings a wealth of knowledge to the board.
His consultations extend to the realms of marketing research where he excelled in driving business growth. He is a sustainable environment expert capable of holding corporate social responsiblities for forestry, mining and other natural mineral extraction companies. Having worked for over five years as a Research Assistant, Dr Mansaray is equipped with useful experience in complex analythical research, supported by many scientific publications and opinions indexed in Web Of Science journals and others.
From the above back drop, it is suffice to state that Dr. mansaray has a diverse background that has prepared him adequately enough to make worthy contributions as a secretary and an active board member to this noble foundation. He has also had the privilege to participate in two European Union supported research programs. First at The Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, Ogun state, Nigeria from January 2020 to September 2020, and also at Njala University, Sierra Leone from November 2021 to March 2022).
Other board position(s): none
Jesse Willemze, Treasurer
As a student of International Land and Water Management at Wageningen University, Jesse Willemze has a clear ambition: to contribute to sustainable development at the intersection of agriculture, water, and governance. The overlap between his academic focus and the projects of GRO West Africa motivates him to deepen his expertise, so that he can meaningfully contribute to positive change in the future.
Other board position(s): none
Hamida Willemze, Community Nurse, Projectmanager / Volunteer
Michael Zilo, Volunteer
