She is only 19 years of age, but has traveled far and wide on official duties representing her dear country, The Gambia. A resident of Faji-Kunda and a 2014 graduate from Nusrat Senior Secondary School with 7 credits and a pass, Absa has nothing on her mind other than to pursue a degree in Communications and Economics and later evolve her ways to advocacy journalism.
“I want all of these because of my interest in current affairs and exploring new things in life. I am currently studying SAT and hopefully I will secure a scholarship to further my studies.
“During my days of schooling, I served as a senior prefect, secretary general of the Nusrat Peer Health, editor-in-chief of the Press Club and auditor general of the Government and History Club.”
Is that all you have for us in your coffers?
“No… I am also a member of FAWEGAM Girls Alumni, serving as the acting secretary. I was one of the five young people that represented The Gambia at a conference in Senegal on African Integration, organised by REJEUDA. In October2014, I was invited to the Peace Corps Gambia office ‘Explore your Country’ program to serve as a mentor for 21 young girls who were brought from rural Gambia.”
And now?
“Well… now I am into acting and I believe it is a good tool in advocating for a positive change in our societies. I acted during the NGO’s 54th session of the African Commission on Human and People’s Right held in The Gambia and the 10th year anniversary of the Maputo Protocol and at a panel held by the EU Delegation to The Gambia during the commemoration of the International Women’s Week in 2013 with Youth Alliance The Gambia. I am also one of those who acted for Nusrat and won a cash prize of two million dalasi at the president’s July 22 celebrations.
During free time?
I enjoy playing basketball and I volunteer at series of basketball games like the All Stars Game and the 3on3 Tournament.
Initiatives in the pipeline for your community?
Currently I am working on a project of raising some items for the Tankatanka Psychiatric Hospital together with the Competitive College Club of the American Corner.
View of life?
My philosophy lies in the words of Bakary Jadama that ‘the success of a person is not how much he owns, but how many people he helped up’. The success I help others to attain defines my happiness.
Words by Sise Sawaneh
]]>
