TYW participates in a National Health Fair

Think Young Women (TYW), represented by its members Mariama Johm, Musu Bakoto Sawo, Sohna Jaw and Aminata A. Manneh attended the Second National Health Fair organised by Your Change For A Change (YCFAC) at the Buffer Zone, Tallinding, on 18 April, 2015.

The event was in recognition of the crucial role health plays in our everyday lives as well as YCFAC‘s mandate towards providing quality and responsive disease management.

Aminata A. Manneh, Mariama Johm and Sohna Jaw, TYW Representatives at the Health Fair

The occasion was graced by several youth groups, students, and residents of Latrikunda and the business sector who are all actors in the promotion of creating a healthy Gambia.

Siaka K. Dibba, a senior member of YCFAC, chaired the official opening ceremony of the event.  He dilated on the history of the organisation and why the event was organised and the importance it has in the lives of Gambians.

Cross Section of the Audience at the Opening Ceremony

The event also witnessed a drama presentation by Nova Scotia Gambia Association (NSGA) on Ebola. This was followed by a statement from the principle of Kairaba Senior Secondary School and music performance by various Gambian artists.

The representatives of TYW at the fair exhibited advocacy materials and educated the community on the harms and long term health implications of FGM, Wife battering, Child, Early and Forced Marriages, amongst others and most importantly, scatter the myths associated with the aforesaid practices.

TYW IEC material on display

School Students Visiting the TYW Stall at the Health Fair

More visitors at the TYW Stall

The Gambia Radio and Television Services interviewed our Communication and Networking officer, Aminata A. Manneh who highlighted the importance of the health fair. She pointed out that the fair should be organised countrywide to educate the people in the rural areas on how to live healthy lives. Aminata further stated: “The role TYW plays in nation development is immeasurable towards nation building.”

As exhibitors at the Health Fair, we had a great experience representing TYW thus showcasing what we do as an organisation. The Health Fair gave us the opportunity to know about our health status, learn about the different types of aliments in Gambia and how serious they could get if not treated or cured at the early stages of their development. We showed a diagram of a smoker’s body displayed by the Ministry of Health And Social Welfare. This diagram made the most difference in our behaviour towards smoking in general. The Health Fair gave us the platform to socialise and share experiences as advocates of change  with some of the most dynamic young people in the Gambia who also participated in the event.

The dialogue between our representatives and the community left immense impression on the participants and cleared the path for healthy conversation about gender issues and violence against women in The Gambia. There is also hope for future collaboration with the YCFAC in future programmes.