Escaping Civil War and Becoming a Social Worker
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By Hadiatou Wann | 03/08/19
After escaping the civil war that rampaged the Sierra Leonean population on January 6, 1999, Salmana Bah and her family came to the United States as refugees. She knew that once she arrived in the land of opportunity, there wasn’t room for slacking.
“Nothing good comes out of war, it can traumatize people,” Said Bah. After seeing people killed and homes burned down during the civil war, horrifying scenes remained stored in her memory forever.
When they escaped the war in Sierra Leone, they settled in nearby country Guinea, Conakry for one year. Fortunately, Bah’s sister was abroad and intervened during their application process. Before Bah came to the United States, she would have flash backs and hear loud noises—these are the after effects of war.
How did it feel for Bah to wake up and find that things were no longer the same after the war? “I didn’t have a lot growing up. The little that I had, it vanished,” Bah explained. War taught her not to take things for granted.
When the civil war struck Sierra Leone, Bah was about 7 years old. The lack of stability robbed her from having a “great foundation” in her education. Although Sierra Leone is an English-speaking country, when Bah moved to the USA, she had to work twice as hard to catch up.
Bah went to elementary, middle, high school and college in Staten Island. When she enrolled into Curtis High School, it was there, the survivor of war realized that she wanted to help people for a living. Before Bah was admitted to College, she failed the American College Testing (ACT) exam, which evaluates students’ readiness for college. She didn’t give up despite failing the exam. She later admitted to the College of Staten Island. After studying there for 2 years, she discovered that the college had a social work program credited under the National Social Work Association. In 2013, she got into the program.
Like most African parents, Bah’s parents wanted her to become a doctor. Before they sided with her, she had to explain to them social work is a broad field and she could have a good job if she were to consider the profession.
In 2015—right after graduating— the Sierra Leonean social worker got hired at one of the biggest organizations in Staten Island, where she worked with patients who were HIV positive, patients who suffered from substance abuse, anxiety, mental health, Schizophrenia, etc. She served as a mental health case manager for 2 years before being promoted to housing case manager—she worked in that position for one year.
In the past, Bah interned at Eden II, a school for autistic children, as a Medicaid Coordinator (MSC). For 11 months, Bah assisted families with Medicaid services and other benefits, and advocated for families’ rights and equal opportunity.
After receiving her bachelor’s degree, Bah chose to partake in an intense program and complete her master’s in one year. She qualified for the One Year Advanced Standing program due to high grades and because she did her undergrad in social work. She is almost at the finish line, and is slated to graduate in May 2019 with a Master of Social Work (MSW) degree from the College of Staten Island.
After she completes graduate school, her goal is to pass the exam required to become a Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW). As she gathers more experience in the field, another goal of hers is to obtain the Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) certificate and have the ability to diagnose and practice individual sessions.
Among her group of friends, Bah was always calm and the one who advised and solved problems. Bah says that she goes above and beyond for people. She doesn’t judge anyone. She is accessible if anyone needs her but remains reserved.
Maribel Espinosa-Hernandez, a previous co-worker of Bah, describes Bah’s qualities: “Salmana is a patient and caring individual. These characteristics are essential for the success of every individual, but she carries them with such grace and determination. Salmana is a dedicated individual. She has always been extremely caring for the clients and patient beyond belief and has always made it seem so easy, so natural.
Bah's former co-worker adds, “Salmana is not only a great co-worker because she is a team player, but she is and amazing human being who truly genuinely cares for people that she services and demonstrated it in the work that she does.”
Bah says that she was ignorant in so many ways prior to becoming a social worker. Being a social worker has humbled her and educated her exponentially. Whenever she visits her hometown, she chooses not to isolate individuals with disabilities. Instead, she goes through great lengths to educate others and advise them not to isolate or discriminate individuals with mental illness or other forms of disabilities. She also plans on raising mental health awareness in the African diaspora.
Bah is the epitome of a warrior. Although the memories of war are not transient, Bah proved that if you dedicate yourself to a cause, you can overcome any fears and road blocks that may get in your way.
Welcome to Bah’s World
“Success is doing what you love and being happy with it. Don’t do it because other people will be proud of you. Do it because you’re proud of it.”
“I love seeing my clients do well, and helping them without expecting anything. Sometimes they may curse you out and still come to you for help because they know you advocate for them.”
“Nurses and doctors are great. But after patients leave the hospital, social workers are the ones who step in to help them with shelter, benefits, etc.”
“I work in a field where I am always attending to others’ needs. As social workers, we are constantly advised to invest in self-care. Traveling is my self-care.”
Salmana Bah embraces her beloved mother
“I have a great support system. My mom is 62 years old and till this day, she gets up and works. She likes to do things by herself even though her kids can give a hand. I grew up seeing her go to work even when she’s tired. She didn’t have much education, but is still able to do all of this. What’s my excuse?”
“It’s a blessing to be a woman in this world where women are constantly put in a box. We are like a butterfly. We should be able to fly anywhere and do whatever we desire. Being a woman means being strong and creating magic!”
Connect with Bah:
Facebook: Salmana Bah
Instagram: @_beingsalb
Email: bah.salmana66@gmail.com
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