Young Gambian writer appeals for support

Aisha Jawara, a young Gambian writer and author of ‘Royal Family’, has appealed to the Office of the President and the Gambian public to help her to publish her second book, titled ‘Royal Family’.

Speaking recently to this reporter at The Point offices, Aisha said she started writing at the age of 12.

The 22-year-old said the ‘Royal Family’ is a story about a girl who finds herself in a wrong but loving family. “She was loved and cared for so much but she did not have the slight idea that she didn’t belong to the family until the day she got thrown out by the very woman she used to call mother,” Aisha gives a gist of the book.

“The resentments gave her a chance to meet her true family,” the young writer further narrates, saying: “The book is simply about love, family, friendship and superstition.”

Aisha said she would need a helping hand to break new grounds in her writing career. “I want to be given the chance to go beyond the veil, show the world that the Gambian can do something, as I can very well prove myself through writing,” she said.

“Writing isn’t just what I do, it’s what I am. I sought for support everywhere; I waited 10 years to publish just one of my books. It is my dream to write and publish, and I’m determined to continue waiting if that’s what it will take to publish this other book.”

Ms Jawara, who has written a short lot of short stories published in magazines, said she has written letters to different places including the Office of the President seeking support but she is yet to get a positive response. She would continue to plead for support to publish her second book, she said.

Aisha, who is also a staff of Reliance Financial Services, said she has gone to various radio stations, the national TV station and the print media, seeking support “but people are just telling me to hold on”.

Anyone willing to assist her can call the following numbers: 7877631 or 3777631.