By Omar Bah
Amie Jarjue, a young Gambian based in the UK, has started an initiative through her foundation, Join Hands to Save a Baby, to address societal problems in The Gambia.
Fondly called the Mother Teresa of The Gambia, Amie initiated the Roots of Unity and Culture (TRU Culture) to raise awareness of social injustice and eradicate political, social, and individual differences in Gambian society. Her foundation aims to use culture, dialogue, and the promotion of unity to help enhance meaningful development in the country. Amie wants to tackle divides in local communities based on political, tribal, and cultural views. The initiative aims to promote dialogue within communities of differing cultural, political, religious, and traditional opinions and foster cordial cohabitation within neighboring communities by creating connections, support, and networks/platforms between communities, community associations, and schools.
The peace initiative also seeks to promote role models to fight against any form of discrimination and organize sensitization on issues such as female genital mutilation (FGM), degradation of women and girls, including sexual harassment, and establish cultural programs to facilitate interactions between ethnic groups and political entities, promoting cross-cultural and political understanding and appreciation.
Media platforms such as radio will be used to create awareness of the effects of disintegration and unity among society’s people. Radio will also contribute to national development, encourage citizens to play their part in achieving the National Development Plan, and foster a sense of unity and cohesion among community members by celebrating and embracing cultural diversity.
The peace initiative will also empower community members to actively participate in activities that promote cultural exchange and mutual understanding and create a platform for intergenerational dialogue. By leveraging cultural practices and values as tools for problem-solving and conflict resolution, it will enhance community resilience and social cohesion. Finally, it aims to measure the project’s impact through surveys, interviews, and community feedback to assess changes in attitudes, behaviors, and perceptions toward cultural diversity and unity.
The project will also empower local organizations (Kafos) by providing skills training and necessary materials, enabling them to operate sustainable businesses. The proceeds from these businesses will be shared on a percentage basis to ensure continuous support and growth. Join Hands 2 Save A Baby is a foundation established by Madam Jarjue in September 2013 to support and contribute to improving maternity units in The Gambia. Amie was inspired to establish the ‘Join Hands 2 Save A Baby’ after visiting her brother’s wife at the Brikama Health Centre. There, she realized that the maternity ward was below acceptable standards.
