Hard work and hairy monstrosities

I was invited to attend the graduation of the students of Gaye Njorro Hairdressing Skills Training Centre on Friday 24th May. This included a couple of NYSS corps members, students who our institution has sponsored through course fees and other support. As the representative of NYSS I was invited onto the high table with other people and institutions who'd also provided support.

Fatou Gaye, the proprietor of the centre, is the kind of woman who has a fire and passion to develop her country. She and her staff have taught these young people extraordinary skills in hair braiding, design and creativity. The creative industry of Gambia has a great champion in her work. I was honoured to present a few of the graduation certificates and to witness some amazing art work and hear the connected stories.

One student, Sara Mattison, was from Sweden and had simply decided that she wanted to learn hair braiding skills so emailed Ms Gaye, traveled over and has spent some months at the centre. Her graduation piece was a Scandinavian style monsters head woven from fibre hair extensions. Marie Sanyang made an arch as a present for the President's birthday, whilst Mariama Drammeh created a dress and hat. The photos show some of these creations, apart from the monster which sadly I didn't capture. All in all it was a very impressive body of work presented giving a strong footing for the continuing development of this industry in the Gambian economy.