Women’s weekly - Doing business women’s way at The Trade Fair

Firstly apologies for the lack of Women’s Weekly last week, we are back.

Empress Sisters visited the Gambia’s 3rd Annual Trade Fair to see what Gambia’s business women are doing and how they are doing it. Our focus was small businesses but it was disappointing not seeing more small businesses and local products.

Maybe for next year something can be done to encourage small businesses to take part; pay a cheaper rate or have a tariff system depending on annual profit??

Anyway it was encouraging to see the women based businesses from around the West Africa region and of course the Gambia. The array of, textiles, natural beauty products, hardware, arts and crafts, fresh foods and Kanilai farms what amazing huge cassava’s!!

Haddy Jatou Jallow is an inspiring woman and fish seller from Brufut, who’s stall was headed by the National Association of Artisanal Fisheries Operators (NAAFO) which comes under The Fisheries Department. Haddy Jatou said

"Brufut has 120 fish driers and smokers who are all women. We buy our fish from Senegalese fishermen, take the fish to our two smoking houses and there we smoke our fish from firewood. It is a big problem getting firewood now and we have a very good woman from the Fisheries Department, Mamie-Sie Njie who is encouraging us to look at other ways to smoke the fish like using ground nut shell. For this Trade Fare The National Platform (overseeing and regulating all fishing villages) sponsored us but each woman has her own business.

I wake at 5.30 pray, prepare for my family and my children. I have 5 children all school age and I have two others I look after. I get to the market by 8 and on a good day I can finish selling by 2, I can spend around D2,000 a day on fish, I sell at Serrekunda Market. If the fishermen come in late, let’s say by 6, we women can be smoking up to 2.00 in the morning.

I really thank my husband because he helps me a lot. Whatever I put my hand to his hand is there with me" Haddy Jatou was alongside two fellow fish sellers, and driers, Binta Bojang and Jawo Jallow from Farafenni, he said "women can walk up to 7 kilometers to get ice to pack their fish, we need a lot of help but we also thank our local Farafenni Kafo (fish worker’s association) called Balengo"

In closing Haddy Jatou said " Tati Pere is the name of our Brufut Kafo of which I am the president and so women come to me for help. Our problems are in finance, firewood, preserving, transportation and selling, but we are trying. Sitting doing nothing cannot solve my problems. Thank God Yaya (His Excellency)is really helping us and we wish him long life. I thank the National Platform and Mamie-Sie Njie"

Fajara Skills and Development Centre was established in 1999 by Mrs Jane Able Thomas. I was drawn to the stall by the colourful display of well made crafts, clothing and by the two customer friendly young women who invited me to take a closer look.

Sarjo Darboe 21 years from Bakau Newtown told Women’s Weekly

"I came to the skills center to study as a beautician and I am in my second year. Mrs Able Thomas helped me with sponsorship and it has been nice and they are really helping us to achieve what we want. Jane is like our mother and she advises us about life, how to act, how to talk with customers. The skills centre is not like when you are stupid (special needs facility) like some people might think but it is giving us a qualification from The National Training Authority which we can use anywhere. For me I will thank her (Jane) and my sponsors for encouraging me and other young girls"

Alongside Sarjo was Agette Ndong 20 years from Bakau Newtown who shared this "I came to the skills center to have skills I can use in my life, I am a catering student, I have a sponsor and I am doing my best. I had a very good attachment at Kombo Beach Hotel in my first year and my teacher used to work at Kairaba Hotel she is very good. Before I started I could not speak good English but now I am trying my best"

Sarjo and Agette stressed that as well as the young women receiving quality training, evident in the quality and finish of the products, they are taught life and health skills, dress code, how to speak with clients and even how to walk! Believe me, It showed, and I would like to offer a great big well done to Sarjo and Agette for their achievements and may they go far.

Please can you send in your nominations for the You Are Special Award for any woman, girl or young woman who has made great steps and achieved in any area of her life. Send us her name and a short explanation telling us why you feel she should be mentioned to:

Donna and Musufing: 7344632 or empress_ario@hotmail.com