Forum for African Women Educationalists Gambia chapter (FAWEGAM) recently held an inter-school talent competition with the theme ‘inspire girls to excel’. The competition was funded by the US embassy in Banjul.
The programme showcases the work of FAWEGAM in nurturing the young girls and boys in secondary schools through TUSEME (let’s speak out) and promote lessons learned, skills and talents among children.
The programme brought together six upper basic secondary schools and senior secondary schools drawn from Upper River and Central River regions and the Kanifing Municipality.
Some of the schools involved are St. Therese’s Upper Basic School, St. Mulumba’s Upper Basic School, St. George’s Upper Basic School, Nusrat Senior Secondary School, Mindow Senior Secondary School and Nasir Senior Senior Secondary.
Award and prizes were given to winners including one Fatoumatta Jawara, who emerged the best female actress at the Upper Basic School category.
Satang Dukureh emerged as the best female actress at the senior secondary school level, while St. Therese’s, Nasir, St. Mulumba’s and Nusrat Senior Secondary schools were all awarded for their efforts.
Speaking at the ceremony held at the Paradise Suites Hotel in Kololi, Yadicone Njie Eribo, National Coordinator of FAWEGAM, told the gathering the FAWEGAM inter-school drama competition is designed to provoke young minds and to bring understanding on sensitive issues like gender and child welfare.
According to her, the activity aims to explore young people’s talents through theatre performance, which they have studied when they went through the TUSEME training, noting that it is hoped that the platform will bring to light FAWEGAM’s work and its impact on the children while also exposing their skills in public speaking, live skills, advocacy and lobbying skills.
“Through this competition, the young people will share lessons and ideas with their counterparts and the public and also sensitize policymakers, stakeholders and partners in the field of education”.
She finally thanked the Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education, the US embassy, Africell and Banjul Breweries for their support, saying she is of the hope that the activity will become an annual activity.
John Stubbs, a representative from the US embassy, thanked the organizers for having such kinds of programme for students, adding that they have an extended relationship with FAWEGAM.
For his part, Mustapha Drammeh, a representative from the Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education, expressed happiness to be part of the “very important and interesting event”.
He said the event will showcase the talents in the young boys and girls, as the theme states: ‘inspire girls to excel’.
He thanked FAWEGAM for the partnership, which continues to go from strength to strength to ensure girls excel in their education.
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