To many it is too difficult for a woman to handle camera, especially for a TV station, while others believe it is not in fact a domain for women. However, for Haddijatou Jallow, it is a completely different story.
For the Libya trained and GRTS only female camera woman, it is just a matter of determination and handwork coupled with commitment.
In an interview that lasted for nearly an hour, the country’s only known camera woman spoke to SHE SHE SHE about her career and a wide range of issues.
Please read on:
Q: What is your name?
Ans: My name is Haddijatou Jallow
Q: When and where were you born?
Ans: I was born in Banjul in the year 1965.
Q: Can you please tell us something about your educational career?
Ans: Well I did my primary school in Campama Primary School, one year in Crab Island Junior Secondary School, five years in Muslim High, and two years in St. Augustine’s High School and completed in 1985.
Q: Can you please share with our readers your professional career?
Ans: After finishing my school in 1985, I was first employed as a receptionist and auditor for two years. In 1988 I also did an accountant training at the Accounting-General Department were I spent few months and then left that place for Libya to meet my husband.
Sadly for me when I was going to Libya I did not take along all my documents and as a result I could not get a job there.
While in Libya, I saw women holding cameras and covering programmes so I also decided to train to become one and that was how I became a camerawoman. I took it as a way of living in that country where I spent thirty good years.
That long time made me to get in love with the camera; so when I was coming back to The Gambia I decided to come along with two cameras, which I was using to cover ceremonies from there I applied to GRTS as a camera woman and I was appointed as a trainee camera woman and have being the only camera woman since then.
Q: What are some of the challenges you do face as a camerawomen?
Ans: Well, nothing is easy in this world but with determination and ambition I am going along with my male counterparts.
Q: Do you have any advice for the young girls who might be interested in joining the profession but still could not make their minds for one reason or the other?
Ans: I advise all youths and women to do what they feel that they can do because the love should be there before any one choosing for them to do anything.
Q: Would you be staying in this noble profession of yours forever?
Ans: Production is a team work of reporters, editors, camera man/woman, so doesn’t be surprise that one day you will see me in the other side of the team.
SHE SHE SHE: Thank you for your time.
Haddijatou Jallow: It is my pleasure.
