Lamin takes home a trophy

Omar, Kaddy, Mam and Lamin returned home from Nairobi with a special gift – the winner’s trophy from the Africa Region Junior Achievement (JA) Company of the Year Competition.

The competition celebrates the achievements of students who have completed the JA Company curriculum, which provides economic education for youth by taking them through the process of creating and running their own businesses.

ChildFund’s JA program in The Gambia is designed to empower youths who have dropped out of school. “I am a school dropout due to circumstances beyond my control,” says Lamin, Lawol Welli’s HR manager.

“I was frustrated since then I thought that I would not be able to make it in life. I kept blaming people for my failure, and I became very aggressive.”

Lawol Welli produces batik and tie-dyed bags and table runners, and now trains and employs other young people.

Mustapha Kebbeh, national youth coordinator for ChildFund Gambia, says the entrepreneurs recruited other young people to undergo the training. “They are also leading other young people’s groups in their communities to campaign against drug and substance abuse, teenage pregnancy and other vices affecting young people.”