We are honoured to share the story of Ameyo Dick, a Berlin-based political scientist, fashion entrepreneur and integration advisor. In this interview, Ameyo shares with WIDU her journey to contribute her skills, take on challenges and use her position in the diaspora to drive meaningful development in her country. For her, diaspora involvement is more than family support - it's a tool for long-term empowerment.
Can you briefly introduce yourself?
My name is Ameyo Dick, I studied Political Sciences and I'm also a fashion entrepreneur. I recently started work as an integration counsellor here in Berlin. I focus on migrant and German women with AIDS. After studying political science eight years ago, I set up my own organisation Togo Goes On e.V. here in Berlin, where I'm the director and I do a lot of projects here in Germany and in Togo with a whole team. Basically, I'm an activist in the field of international development.
Can you tell us a bit about your experience with WIDU?
The Afrika Medien Zentrum e.V., an organisation I've worked with a lot in the past and continue to do so today told me about the WIDU project because I'm originally from Togo and I have family in Togo. So, I decided to help my family through this opportunity. My first project in 2021 was to open a small shop in Lomé. After that, I supported my sisters, my uncles and so on. Today, I've funded four projects with WIDU.
What has been your experience supporting a project in your home country – what skills or knowledge did you contribute, and how did you deal with any challenges that arose?
One problem we had with the process had to do with the application process. So, I had to contribute my knowledge of project writing. In other words, how to present your ideas in project form and submit them to WIDU. And then, as there were only three visits from the coaches, my family members needed additional help with managing the bills. That's why I also contributed my knowledge of accounting.
There were also challenges with the drafting of the project and follow-up. Because if, as a member of the diaspora, we send money to our family, there has to be follow-up. See how the family member spends the money, submit the exact receipt according to WIDU rules. Through WIDU I could follow the projects myself from a distance to make sure everything went well. Another difficulty was communication. For example, my mother didn't go to school for a long time, so I had to show her how to connect to the platform. One of the biggest difficulties for the elderly is how to draw up a project and download invoices. The diaspora donor plays a particular role in supporting this.
What motivates you to continue investing in the development of your home country? And what advice would you give to other members of the diaspora?
Well, I always use my mother as an example. Since she opened her shop, she's been independent. I don't regularly send money back home anymore and I can say that this was a great benefit of this project. It motivates me to continue investing in other projects. Now, I even have friends who ask me to sponsor them and I do. If everyone did that, we wouldn't have to support so many families because we also need our money here in the diaspora. So, it has become more than just helping my family, it has become a commitment. It's also a contribution I'm making to the eradication of poverty in my country.
The WIDU project needs to be better known in the African community here in Germany because we, the diaspora, really have an impressive strength. What's more, WIDU has really freed me up and I think it can help other people in the diaspora, too.