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2 | SOFFIA MAGAZINE +220 9913854
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TEAM
PUBLISHER
ISATU M. BOKUM
KADDY SANYANG
MARKETING CONSULTANTS
MODOU SILLAH
JAINABA MBOWE
CONTENTS
FEATURES
Exclusive
Interview with Aji Kumba Daffeh
Page 4
Fashion
Koriteh Fashion Night
Page 12
Festive Event
How is Eid ul-Adha Celebrated?
Page 14
Beauty
Same Beauty Saloon
Page 16
Travels
The Gambia International Airline
Page 18
Exclusive
Interview with Ida Saine Conteh
Page 20
Women & Trade
Tresor Women Warriors groundnut
farm at Faraba Banta
Page 26
Page 26
AWA’S HEALTH TIPS
Tribute
C.E.O. of Universal Properties
Alhagie Sanyang
Page 31
Health
Awa1’s Health Awareness
Platform
Page 32
SkinCare
Simple steps to healthy skin
Page 33
2022 Menstrual Hygiene day
celebration in The Gambia
Page 34
MOTION & GRAPHIC DESIGNER
MUHAMMED SAWANEH
PHOTOGRAPHERS
MAMO KORA (MAMOS PHOTOGRAPHY)
ALPHA OMAR JALLOW (PANDI)
OUSMAN FYE
PRODUCTION
SOFFIA MAGAZINE & MEDIA
MAKE UP ARTIST
SAME BEAUTY
GUEST EDITOR
FATIMA SY
SOFFIA MAGAZINE +220 9913854 | 3
AJI KUMBA DAFFEH KAH
It is a great honour to have you on our
6th Edition of Soffia Magazine Aji Kumba
Daffeh. Tell us a little about yourself.
Hello. A pleasure to be here. My name is
Kumba Daffeh-Kah. I am the CEO of Tresor
Inc, a retail chain that I founded based
in Senegal, The Gambia, and the United
States. In this role, I oversee various business
subsidiaries, more specifically The
Agi Daffeh Brand, an apparel line with a
fusion of both African and western designs
as well as Tresor Modesty, another outlet
that designs for women looking for a more
refined look. Before this, however, I studied
International Business and Finance at the
Golden Gate University in San Francisco.
Currently, I am the President of the Tresor
Women warriors (TWW), a network of 7000
women across the different regions of The
Gambia.
4 | SOFFIA MAGAZINE +220 9913854
SOFFIA MAGAZINE +220 9913854 | 5
It is a great honour to have you
on our 6th Edition of Soffia Magazine
Aji Kumba Daffeh. Tell us a
little about yourself.
Hello. A pleasure to be here. My
name is Kumba Daffeh-Kah. I am
the CEO of Tresor Inc, a retail
chain that I founded based in Senegal,
The Gambia, and the United
States. In this role, I oversee various
business subsidiaries, more
specifically The Agi Daffeh Brand,
an apparel line with a fusion of
both African and western designs
as well as Tresor Modesty, another
outlet that designs for women
looking for a more refined look.
Before this, however, I studied
International Business and Finance
at the Golden Gate University in
San Francisco. Currently, I am the
President of the Tresor Women
warriors (TWW), a network of 7000
women across the different regions
of The Gambia.
What lead you to becoming an
entrepreneur?
Foundation. This has allowed us
to work with women and children
here in The Gambia for over a
decade, starting the “Yes we can
read’’ program which facilitated
reading for children. We went
on to build and furnish libraries
across the country. That is actually
how I started my journey
working with women in Pallen,
Ballanghar, so it’s all been a domino
effect.
Are you involved in the design
process?
In my position as the CEO of
Tresor Inc, I primarily focus
on our investment portfolios
and allocating funds. My twin
sister, Aji Daffeh is the Creative
Director and runs “The Agi Daffeh
Brand” formerly known as
La Excellence Design where
she designs premium couture
for other high-end stores in
Ghana, Nigeria, and more.
When I got married, I had a baby
not too long after, and decided to
take off at least five years to give
her a good start. As women, often
there are sacrifices we must make,
and my family has always been my
first priority.
During that time, I came to The
Gambia and began to look into the
different opportunities, to build generational
wealth for my family, so I
began to look for options we could
invest in, and through that process,
I wanted to see what could be
done to give back to my country as
well, so I got to work on a business
plan and with my experience
working in business and finance, I
was able to start my own ventures.
Tresor The Closet And Beyond
was my first retail store. A couple
of years later we opened another
store in Dakar Senegal, where the
subsidiaries I’d mentioned earlier
(Tresor Modesty, The Agi Daffeh
Brand, etc.) are hosted. At Tresor
Inc, 10% of revenues from all our
businesses go into the Tresor
You are also a women’s right
activist, and you champion
economic empowerment for
families through women.
How did it all start?
Women build societies, but we
must be in the right state of
mind to be able to build not only
a strong but functional society.
When I came back to The Gambia,
I found that women had been
working for so many years without
being able to bear the fruits of
their hard labor. I believe wholeheartedly
that women are the
solution to many of the problems
we are facing as a country. If you
look at the number of women providing
for their children and their
entire family members, it’s overwhelmingly
large. As the Gambia
transitions towards a more equitable
society, it’s very important to
empower more women economically
so they can make choices
that not only impact their lives but
the lives of their families and
eventually our nation. Women
Rights are Human rights. As a
progressive society it’s imperative
that all rights are protected and
nurtured, so the empowerment of
women is no longer a debate, but
a national issue.
Have you always had big
dreams?
Yes! I was not raised by my
biological parents. When I was
12 years old, I remember long
days of washing dishes, and even
longer nights of studying; empowering
myself daily that I would
succeed no matter what, even
as the tears rolled down my face.
The woman you see today didn’t
just happen by chance; it was by
hard work, perseverance, and
design. When other kids were
playing with dolls, I was focusing
on my education, and envisioning
6 | SOFFIA MAGAZINE +220 9913854
a life of
meaning,
success,
and impact.
I just
had big
dreams
about the
future with
so many
possibilities.
I also
wanted
to ensure
other
young girls
would never
have to
go through
some of
the things
I went
through. I
wanted to
not only
change my
life but the
life of others.
When
I moved to
the United
States, I
worked
three different jobs and paid my
own way through college. My
twin sister and I had paid our own
rent, bills, everything. We didn’t
let our obstacles deter us, and
instead focused on our goals.
You are the President of Tresor
Women Warriors. Tell us about
the Organisation.
Tresor Women Warriors is a
women-led organization. Our goal
has always been to uplift women
towards financial freedom.
Through focusing on economic
empowerment, we see the direct
and positive impact we’re having
on so many lives. Ultimately,
these same women will be able
to positively impact the lives of
their own families, the community
and eventually the entire country.
Women make up 52% of The
Gambia’s population. You cannot
have 52% of a population that is
not only underutilized but actively
marginalized as well. If we
were economically empowered,
socially, we would be aware of
the things around us that need to
change and work towards them.
I believe Women can become
leaders in our communities and
we deserve to have our voices
heard, not just to be expected to
clap and follow along, especially
in policymaking and political
spaces - because if we are not
at the table where decisions are
being made, then our efforts will
be futile.
What are some of the activities
you do at Tresor Women Warriors?
More recently, we’ve established
and structured a Village Savings
and Loans Scheme, with a D4.5M
investment to loan to women
using the Islamic model of profit
sharing. Seventy-five percent
of these loans are for women in
Agriculture. This has enabled our
women to have access to fertilizers
and create other facilities
to expand their Agricultural production.
This year, with little to no
mechanization, the Tresor women
warriors cultivated over 27 Hectares
across the country and plan
to expand another 32 Hectares,
this upcoming rainy season.
Our work in acquiring more land
have been the driving force to our
success and increase in production.
As an advocate for land
rights ownership for women, we
hope to champion more access
to land for women in agriculture.
The Tresor Warrior Women network
allows us to trade amongst
ourselves both locally and regionally.
This has made it easier for
our TWW groundnut farmers to
sell directly to other TWW traders
directly who are in the processing,
and marketing of Peanut butter.
This is just an example of the
many creative ways we market
and push our products across the
country. In addition to these efforts,
we are investing and building
trading posts in the communities
we trade-in. These structures
will allow us to have brick and
mortar stores, giving us greater
visibility, as well as allow us to
effectively display our products to
market.
As poultry farmers, we have
expanded our poultry production
to include both layers and broilers,
increasing production, and
with the right policies in place,
Gambian poultry farmers can
meet the demand and supply for
poultry products. We hope to be
amongst the champions to push
for this policy. The Tresor women
warriors produces Groundnuts,
Maize, Wonjo, Coos, and Sesame.
Horticulture is also a major
aspect of our agricultural efforts.
We are also in the rearing of
small ruminants. At Tresor Warrior
Women we want to be part of the
solution in creating food security
in The Gambia.
As the founder and the president
of the Tresor Warrior
Women, what is your understanding
of the needs of women
in this new era, especially
women in rural Gambia?
As stated previously, I truly believe
rural women will save this
country. We can see from our
GDP and the number of women
working in the agricultural sector,
that they are critical to helping
The Gambian economy grow
through Agriculture and Trade.
So when you consider these
factors, as well as more women
rising up to leadership positions,
there is no denying the fact that
women are leaning into positions
of power and influence to impact
real and meaningful change. The
more voices of women heard, the
more our society exponentially
progresses towards a better, and
more equitable society.
Are these women motivated to
see changes within themselves
SOFFIA MAGAZINE +220 9913854 | 7
and within their communities?
I have been overwhelmed by the
love and support I’ve received
from these communities. I cannot
imagine what this initiative
would’ve been without them.
The mind is the most powerful
tool in the universe, and when we
believe in ourselves the possibilities
are endless. None of these
women had ever entered a bank
or even owned a bank account
before joining this network. A couple
of weeks ago, they were discussing
their first bank experiences,
and this woman said to me,
“I never thought that I would ever
enter a bank.” It’s things like this
that really get my emotions flowing,
When she entered the bank,
she asked to sit on a swinging
chair, after swinging nonstop, she
said the bank was like heaven,
that it was so cold. One of them
also told me that they thought life
was all about eating and brewing
“ataya” (Chinese tea) every
day, which is exactly what they
did, and now this same woman
trades gaweh across regions.
In Ballangharr, they mine “gaweh”
and sell it wholesale. These are
just some examples that prove
to us, our warriors are not only
beginning to think differently but
building successful business.
Do we need to change our mentality
towards women in order
to make positive changes, or
should women change their
mentality for their own good as
well?
Right there, you hit the mark.
Absolutely. The mentality of men
towards women will not change
until women change how they see
themselves and other women.
Women need to learn to let go
of the limitations that have been
placed on them by society. It’s the
toxic belief that we’re “just women”
that we need to break away
from. A classic example, In Kerr
Nderry, we established a Convenience
store, previously the villagers
had to travel miles to buy
basic necessities, so we opened
it a shop at the “Pencha”, where
everyone congregates. Before
we opened the store, the women
told us “Kumba”, we are only
women, we can’t even manage a
store” and I responded with “You
have the same gifts as anybody
else who can manage a store.”
Today not only are the managing
a store they are running one of
the most successful businesses
in that region. Consequently,
we’ve opened two other stores
in the same region. We are now
in Jalamba, and Choyen so the
women continue to expand. It’s
all about mindset.
Do you involve men in this
initiative?
I happen to be a strong advocate
for men, and though my focus
is female empowerment, I am a
champion for families more than
anything else. I’m very fortunate
to be with a man that is also a
strong advocate for women, and
his support has been invaluable
to this journey; My ability to do
what I do would not be possible
if I were “against men” because
they will also be benefiting from a
society of strong and empowered
women too.
How do you think we should
approach gender gaps; thus
the issue of gender equality is
still a challenge in our society?
Firstly, as a society, the way men
have been raised in our households
has done a disservice to
themselves and their female
counterparts. Men cannot be
raised to honor us as mothers,
and then disregard everyone
else. We must raise men to be
compassionate, empathetic, loyal,
and supportive. To be a man,
8 | SOFFIA MAGAZINE +220 9913854
you don’t have to boss your sisters
around or exude toxic masculinity.
When I look at my husband
and so many other men who work
on farms, I know they came from
strong mothers and fathers who
were strong pillars in their society,
I see harmony and respect within
these households. Men with such
upbringings are less likely to maltreat,
rape, or marginalize women.
These are not traits of men that
were raised right. My husband
used to buy fish for his mother, at
the market. Even though I never
met my mother-in-law, I pray for
her for raising an honorable man.
To this day, I don’t even know
where the fish market is located
because he continues that tradition.
So, again, it’s how men
are conditioned. Men who live in
homes where women are abused
or are seen as objects, in most
cases will have difficulty treating
women with respect. Hence, we
must raise our sons with a sense
of responsibility and expectation.
You are also a member of the
Cancer Association League.
What is it all about?
Ten organizations came together
to form the Cancer League. With
my sister, I co-founded African
Women Against Cancer. Several
years ago, we staged a rally in
Banjul’s Macarthy Square, but we
realized that we cannot fight this
disease alone. Our team engaged
all the cancer organizations in the
country, including Ida Ceesay,
a cancer survivor who also runs
an organization to fight cancer in
Africa.
In 2019, under one umbrella,
we came together to advocate,
create awareness, and engage
NGOs. Through working with the
government, we continue in our
efforts to make women’s health a
priority. Additionally, we advocated
for a Mammogram Machine to
be made available in The Gambia,
but more importantly for a
comprehensive cancer plan that
includes a Cancer Center.
As the government is tasked with
providing healthcare, we engaged
with The Ministry of Health from
the to work together to ensure
more Gambia women would
get the treatment they need
to survive Cancer, particularly
cervical and breast Cancer.
Something as critical as a
mammogram machine should
not be negotiable. Other countries
have moved beyond this
stage in their development.
The women in Senegal, for
example, are surviving breast
cancer at much higher rates
than we are. Most women
diagnosed with cancer do get
treatment, and go on to live
meaningful lives. This is because
early detection is crucial.
In The Gambia, statistically, all
the women who had cancer 5
years ago have died in the last
5 years, according to a doctor.
This is a problem.
We understand that the
Cancer League provided free
cancer screenings for Gambian
Women. What were the
next steps for those who had
been tested and found to
have cancer?
The hospitals here in The
Gambia are equipped to handle
cervical cancer cases. So
we referred most of the patients
who had it to the proper
specialists, and they were
treated at the SOS Clinic and
EFSTH. Dr. Nafisatou Ceesay,
a doctor from America who
comes to The Gambia every
6 months was also present at
the Cancer screening clinic,
offering her medical expertise,
and guidance. On behalf of the
Koro Ceesay Foundation, she
provided free medicines to all
the patients who got prescriptions.
She also specializes in
work with diabetes and hypertension,
so any women with
those ailments were referred to
Faji Kunda Hospital where she
could see them, free of charge.
Through our partnership with
the Cancer League of Senegal,
and Albert Royal Hospital,
we had eight oncologist onsite
who were able to perform
biopsies on women who had
breast discharge to see if it
was cancerous, and if so, what
stage. Echogram’s were also
ordered through the agreement
with Senegalese doctors,
allowing us to treat a good
number of patients for free. In
addition to this, the league was
able to raise approximately 1
million dalasi to secure a Mammogram
Machine, that money
is still in the account as we
continue to raise more funds
to purchase a Mammogram
Machine. The fight for our lives
matters. Gambian Women’s
Lives Matter.
What impact has your work
had on women and children’s
lives overall?
SOFFIA MAGAZINE +220 9913854 | 9
Aside from working with women, I’ve always been passionate about access to quality education,
particularly in the most remote parts of the country. My main goal was to ensure that children in
the rural communities have the same access to education so they could compete with the rest of
the country. A lot of these families were unable to prioritize education, because they couldn’t even
afford uniforms, let alone tuition and materials for education. For over ten years, My organization
has been able to provide, not only opportunities to learn and grow but provided the much-needed
materials for these children to succeed in their academic endeavors.
When I arrived at Paleen, Ballangharr, I urged the principal and school administration to enact a
non-uniform policy for the early ECD classes. From that moment on, their enrollment increased
dramatically. In the morning, I would teach in Ballangharr, and in the afternoon, I’d be doing the
same in Kwinnela, Kiang. I taught Grade 10 students reading and English comprehension. I am
trying to build a strong foundation
for these children, because tinue that legacy. We are also building our own legacy, continu-
to ensure that work does not go in vain, and to stand up to con-
I believe everyone deserves a ously sowing seeds that we hope will grow into something fruitful
quality education. Though this in the near future. As Gambians, we are part of the solution and
started as a pilot program, we we’re working diligently to be the change we want to see. That is
are continuing to make sure exactly why I keep doing what I do, and my loyalty to The Gambia
is what inspires me to be amongst the transformational lead-
as many kids in The Gambia
can expect the basic dignity ers in this country.
of a good education regardless
of their socio-economic Finally, would you be interested in running for office someday?
background. This impact and
intervention is important for all
women and their families.
What do you want to be remembered
for?
The message is clear, ask not
what your country can do for
you, but rather what you can
do for your country. Those
were the words of John F.
Kennedy. These words carry
a great deal of meaning
to me. I always say it is very
convenient to say what you
are against, but to stand up for
what you believe in is legendary.
What are you doing about
the things you want to change?
My father, Jerreh LB Daffeh
served as a former Minister of
Health, followed by Agriculture
for over 25 years in the First
Republic. He was also a National
Assembly member for all
those years. It was men and
women like him that laid the
foundation and groundwork for
all of us. I believe it is very important
for the next generation
(Laughs) It’s been rumored that I have ambitions to run for office.
Regardless of whether it’s political or social, every citizen should
have ambitions, I am just out here living the dreams and aspirations
of my ancestors. We all have a purpose and a destiny in
life, and whatever is meant to be for you, it will be, simple as that.
I will not sit here and tell you that I have political ambitions. Allah
gives positions to people. Whatever comes my way, is part of my
destiny. Perhaps people are unaware that I have worked with
women in this country for the past 15 years. All I want is to see
a Gambia where all people have the right to live in dignity irrespective
of your gender, creed and background. I want to leave
a lasting legacy for this country. I just want to do good and uplift
more women into their power,
this way whenever they
talk about women empowerment,
my name will appear
in the stories of these women.
Everything else we leave
for Allah (SWT).
It was indeed a pleasure to
have you on our 6th edition.
I thank you on behalf
of the entire team for your
time and selfless efforts in
empowering our women.
Thank you SOFFIA Magazine.
10 | SOFFIA MAGAZINE +220 9913854
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The Gambia’s
Koriteh Fashion Night
ifferent activities and programs take place during Eid
al-Fitr celebrations in The Gambia. One of our favourite
programs to cover is the Koriteh Fashion Night and this
year’s edition featured Senegalese artist Bass Thioung.
During the first day of Koriteh, the event took place
at Pencha Mi Hall. In their beautiful African outfits, attendees of
the event filled Pencha Mi Hall with glimpses and glamour. Enjoy
some of the dazzling and beautiful looks on the red carpet and
during the event.
Bass Thioung, Musician
Attack Gaye, Artist
Badibunka, Artist
12 | SOFFIA MAGAZINE +220 9913854
Jali Madi, Artist
Fafa Mbye
OLDA
Ida Sosseh
Binbunka, Wife
Jaha Dukureh
SOFFIA MAGAZINE +220 9913854 | 13
How is Eid Adha celebrated?
Eid ul-Adha is a public holiday celebrated
throughout the Islamic world and in countries
where Islam is recognized as one of
the major religions. Regardless of nationality,
ethnicity, or locality, the main observance
of Eid ul-Adha is the symbolic reenactment
of Ibrahim’s obedience. Depending on
which part of the world the celebration is
being observed, the sacrifice may extend
to a cow, sheep, lamb, goat, ram, and even
camel.
The bounty obtained from the sacrifice must
be allocated accordingly; the individual,
group of individuals or family providing the
sacrifice is entitled to a third of the meat,
while their friends and relatives are entitled
to another third. The remaining third strictly
belongs to the needy and less fortunate.
By taking part in this Feast of Sacrifice,
Muslims around the world pledge their willingness
to submit to the will of the Creator
not just by way of performing the Qurban or
sacrificing an animal, but also by committing
themselves to other acts of charity. It is customary
for Muslims with the financial means
to do so to donate sums of money, food and
clothes to the homeless and the poor during
Eid ul-Adha.
Though on a smaller scale than that of the
Eid ul-Fitr, Muslims do take advantage of the
celebration to dress up and visit family and
friends offering and receiving presents in the
process.
14 | SOFFIA MAGAZINE +220 9913854
SOFFIA MAGAZINE +220 9913854 | 15
Samera Sanneh is the Chief Executive Officer of SAME Beauty Saloon & Academy
professional make-up artist from Tallinding.
A With over six years experience Known for her
detailed skills and impressive make-up results,
Why did you choose makeup as a profession?
As a kid, I always enjoyed making up. This made
me passionate about the field and I decided to
pursue it professionally. My favourite thing growing
up was to make people’s faces. In addition, I loved
dressing up, braiding, and fashion. When I was in
school, I braided the hair of my friends and neighbours.
What are some of the challenges you face
in this field?
It is truly not an easy task. There is always a ton
of work to do, especially during the holidays. and
I spend hours in the salon satisfying their needs.
I rarely get the chance to rest. I just keep going to
push boundries.
Do you do make-up for special events?
Sure, I do. I’m available for all kinds of events,
such as weddings, naming ceremonies, and
high-level events. This is something I have been
doing for several years now. So, I serve a very
large clientele who come here for make-up for a
variety of activities.
Tell me what is the one product you can’t
work without?
Mac is my favourite. For my work, I can’t function
without the Mac brand.
Tell us what three make-up items no woman
should leave home without.
Make sure you have lipstick, powder, and a brush.
You can never go wrong with those.
What is your advice for upcoming make-up
artists?
The best advice I can give them is to keep going.
This is not an easy task. Stay focused and keep
learning to improve your skills. Stay true to your
dreams and do not give up.
16 | SOFFIA MAGAZINE +220 9913854
SOFFIA MAGAZINE +220 9913854 | 17
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SOFFIA MAGAZINE +220 9913854 | 19
20 | SOFFIA MAGAZINE +220 9913854
IDA SAINE CONTEH
Ida Saine Conteh is an Entrepreneur and the Chief Executive Officer of Ida’s Ideas. Ida is one of the
blazing fashion designers in the country. She is the Vice President of the Fashion Designer’s Association
of The Gambia and a member of the Women Chamber of Commerce of the Gambia, as well
as the Senegalo Gambia Federation. We get to know Ida through this exclusive interview, where she
discusses her childhood, how she started designing, and how she is currently inspiring and teaching
the next generation of fashion designers in The Gambia.
SOFFIA MAGAZINE +220 9913854 | 21
We are pleased to meet with
you. Can you tell us who Ida’s
Ideas is and how the company
started?
Pleasure, and yes of course I
can. My name is Ida Saine Conteh.
I was born in Banjul and
raised by my grandparents in
Bakau. My journey begins at
Bakau Primary School where I
started my education, and then
proceeded to attend St Joseph’s
High School. Afterward, I began
my career as a clerk and was
able to become an accountant
general after just one year. Then
GTTI was founded and some
of us gained admission through
scholarships. As far as tailoring
goes, after one year at GTTI, I
passed with flying colours, but
my mind was already set on
sewing, so sometimes instead
of attending class, I went to my
friend’s house instead. In the
sitting room, one day, my friend
and I met her sister, who is a
designer and tailor, and I asked
my friend to introduce me to
her sister so that she could help
me with my sewing skills. Thus,
I started to go there whenever
I got off work until I became
more skilled at sewing and could
sew on my own. It was then
that I opened my own tailoring
business, Ida’s Top Fashion.
My parents had not expected
me to be a designer or a tailor.
All they wanted was for their
brilliant daughter to complete
school and hold good positions
in big institutions. Even before
that though, as a young girl, my
grandmother would let me play
with her hand sewing machine
so that I was not out just idling or
spending all my time doing playful
things. My grandparents were
very protective of me; even my
friends had visiting hours; if they
stayed at our house until five pm,
22 | SOFFIA MAGAZINE +220 9913854
my grandmother would tell them to go home until the
next day, and I had a hard time entertaining myself
until one day she told me to play with the sewing machine,
and I’d start putting things together, hemming
and sewing my torn uniforms. As I got older, I realized
that I excelled in both accounting and needlework. In
a class of ten, only five students were interested in
needles work and it was not very popular amongst the
other girls, so the teacher noticed my willingness and
creative ability and gave me more attention for it just
furthering my passion for sewing.
What was business like in those days compared to
now?
It was not the same then, only a few women ventured
into the tailoring business since it was mostly a
male-dominated industry. A few pioneers I can name
off the top of my head are Aunty Ida Sallah, Aunty
Soffie Jobe, and Aunty Ramon.
Did you hire tailors to work for you when you started
your own tailoring business?
No, I did not. Due to the passion, I have for the work,
I began sewing free of charge for my friends. That
was when my grandmother gave me a hand sewing
machine; I was young and small at that time, so she
gave me a chair with a pillow on it to reach the table.
Because I sewed as a hobby starting out, there was
never a charge, and with lots of practice on my friends
primarily, my skills were better, and I enjoyed that the
most. When I realized that the business was getting
bigger and bigger and I could no longer handle it alone,
my grandfather gave me a space in his compound and
built a shop for me. My grandparents were extremely
supportive and did everything they could for
me, so I started asking for small amounts of
money from my clients. After I had saved a
certain amount of money, I bought another
machine and hired a tailor, a Senegalese
named Musa Njie. Together, we sewed
highly creative designs for customers, and
the business grew. I later bought another
machine. It was during this time that I got
married to Alhagie Conteh, who is also
very understanding and supportive and has
played a vital role in my life. He helped me
buy my first industrial machine.
It was great to hear that your family and
husband supported you! However, every
success story comes with challenges.
What were your challenges?
When you first venture into business, especially
as a woman, you constantly have
difficulties penetrating the market in the
Gambia, but hard work and determination
will lead you to success. Since my husband
advised me not to take loans, in my case it
was difficult, but thank goodness. Up until
where I am now, I have no debts with anyone
in the government or private sectors.
All the support I had come from my family
and my husband, both financially and morally.
I am grateful that Gambian valued my
work. If people do not like the designs you
SOFFIA MAGAZINE +220 9913854 | 23
sew, they won’t buy or wear
them, most of the time. My
customers always tell me,
“Design for us, you’re creative”,
so I have their support,
both in the Gambia and
abroad.
Our society believes that
when you receive an education,
you must become a
lawyer, doctor, or even an
accountant! We want to hear
from you about the importance
of skill work.
In those days, skill work was
not recommended that much.
People believed that after
completing school, you should
only work in an office. The
world is evolving, and people
are realizing how many benefits
there are to learning a
trade/skill. A month’s worth
of salary earned by working
for yourself is far greater
than what someone in a suit
is making for someone else
in that same month, and at
least for yourself, the money
is coming in almost every
day, as opposed to monthly.
Furthermore, no matter where
you are, the skill you acquire
can be useful to you. It is clear
we live in a fashion era, which
means fashion shows can be
found at any event you attend,
wherever you go. The Gambia
might be lagging when
it comes to that, but we’re
catching up. The first thing you
ask yourself when you wake
up in the morning is what do I
wear today and what matches
what. This is where skill work
comes in. Office work is not
for everyone. Initially, there
were a few conflicts between
parents and their children
when I started my design
school. Despite their parent’s
wishes, the kids wanted to
go into the fashion industry. I
convinced the parents to allow
their children to choose their
area of interest and now, alhamdulillah,
they realize this is
what their kids are good at.
What inspired you to start a
designing school?
I have travelled to various
international trade fairs and
fashion shows representing
The Gambia. Most of the time
I hear my colleagues from
different countries talk about
the different design schools
they have in their respective
countries, and it occurred to
me that the Gambia only has
tailoring workshops and our
sewing skills aren’t up to par.
Often, Gambians will travel to
foreign countries for proper
designs, and you can’t blame
them since we have very few
good, and well-trained designers
here. A designing class is
a must to perfect your craft.
Most tailoring workshops in
The Gambia are filled with
magazines where other designers’
designs are just being
copied. It’s at this point that I
concurred that this wasn’t going
to help our industry. I found
a talented group of students
and strongly recommend
those who wanted to become
designers to attend a training
school, one that I’d be opening
myself to. My only solution
was to open something in the
Gambia for these young people
could get the opportunities
we were not able to have
and help grow the country’s
fashion industry. The school
is working as expected, there
are many different complected
aspects of fashion, some
of which is knowing which
material goes with which, how
to choose colours, and how
to cut patterns. They learn
all those things. I faced a lot
of challenges in building the
school, but I am glad that
it is complete, and classes
are taking place. The hiring
of designing teachers was
the most challenging party; I
could not find one in the Gambia
that met the standards I
was looking for. I had to hire
people from outside of the
Gambia, house them and pay
them in Dollars, but I went
into this knowing these challenges
would arise, so I sent
my daughter to study abroad
in order to at least have one
lecturer to start with.
In addition to sewing and
designing school, what other
activities do you engage in?
I am currently the vice president
of the fashion designer’s
association of the Gambia.
I am also a member of the
Women’s Chamber of Commerce
of the Gambia, as well
as the Senegal Gambia Federation.
In the Gambia, the
fashion designer’s association
is the first ever to be established.
When I joined, I was the
youngest person in the group.
We also organize events in
order to raise funds for young
designers. So, aside from sewing
that is what I devote my
time to.
How do you balance work
and family life?
That’s a very good question,
and I’m blessed to have a very
supportive husband who has
supported me throughout my
career, but balancing work life
and family isn’t easy. In order
24 | SOFFIA MAGAZINE +220 9913854
to balance the two, I worked in this industry while
raising all of my kids, which meant I took care of
them, fed them, and played with them all while
working to ensure that the mother-child relationship
was not affected in any way until they all became
adults. That’s why my oldest daughter ventured
into the fashion industry after she graduated.
Another thing I always made sure to do was close
shop by 6pm so that I could get home and cook
dinner. I always try to cook for my whole family and
make sure that I’m off during the weekends. I never
work the weekends.
The interview is nearing its end! Is there anything
you’d like to add?
My sincere gratitude goes to my staff, some of
whom I have worked with for over seventeen
years. It is vital to have a good relationship
with your employees as this ensures that your
work is accomplished the way you intended it
to be. If you are not disciplined, no matter how
much you have, you may lose it all. When I
travel and leave the shop with my staff, everything
is in perfect condition when I return.
Therefore, it is especially important to respect
your employees but also set a good standard.
I have very loyal people that work with me.
Even one man whose been working for me
so many years, his son works alongside him
now, indicating how comfortable they are with
me and the work environment. We are like a
family now.
What is the relationship between you and
your customers?
I value my customers above all else. My
customers have helped me to become who I
am today, starting with my childhood friends
who first trusted me, to those in The Gambia
and the diaspora. Several gifts I receive from
customers are tokens of appreciation, and
that keeps me going, knowing that my customers
appreciate the work I do for them.
What final message do you have for the
next generation of designers?
My advice for young designers is to keep
researching and learn more about the process
but especially; how to design. Don’t just focus
on the money-making process, because once
you’re able to master what you do, the people
will seek you out and your work will sell out
naturally, respect one another and give the
work its due.
SOFFIA MAGAZINE +220 9913854 | 25
TRESOR WOMEN WARRIORS GROUNDNUT
FARM AT FARABA BANTA
TRESOR WOMEN WARRIORS
is a non-profit, non-political and
non-religious organization that
engages in empowering women
and enhancing the general
wellbeing of its targeted
beneficiaries in The Gambia.
Vision
Tresor Women Warriors envision
a Gambia where all girls
and women are nurtured and
empowered to reach their
full potential irrespective of
their ethnicity, income level or
social status. We champion
and advocate for the aspirations
of women and their socio-economic
development.
Mission
In order to accomplish and
achieve our vision, TWW will
facilitate, promote opportunities
to support, empower,
connect and grow women in
business and leadership. as
an organization our desire
is to uplift girls and women
through the following objectives:
• ➢ Facilitating enterprise
development.
• ➢ Networking and supporting
women for success
and growth.
• ➢ Negotiating on behalf of
members for wealth generation.
• ➢ Lobbying, policy advocacy
and environmental
support towards self-sustenance.
• ➢Training and building
leadership skills to enable
women to gain financial
impact and build their
community.
TWW Operates in The Following
Areas:
Education
Through our voluntary teaching
programs, we provide
support to schools.
Entrepreneurship
Providing life skills training to
women to become job creators
and replicate the knowl
edge gained to others to build
sustainable businesses.
26 | SOFFIA MAGAZINE +220 9913854
TWW also provide capital
invest
ment for women businesses
through a control mechanism
and a fund monitoring process.
Agriculture
As value chain players in the
agricultural sector, we commit
ourselves to operating farms,
community gardens growing
crops such as maize, groundnuts,
vegetables, cashews
and oranges.
Mentorship
We assist in building the
capacities of women to
enhance their life skills to
become key players in the
economy.
In our capacity as Tresor
women warriors, we are
currently working with 4000
women farmers, 6 schools,
more than 6 communities and
3 orphanages
Tresor Women Warriors of
Faraba Banata are hardworking
women and they are part
of the TWW network with a
total number of 120 women.
TWW is doing all this to empower
women to be self-sustainable,
self-reliant and to
believe in the Gambia. These
women are also funding other
women who are part of the
network to uplift them to
financial freedom and help
them to be self-sustainable.
These women farmers established
on a 7-hectare groundnut
farm in Faraba Banta.
Despite the failure of the rain
season, these women were
able to pull out a harvest of 10
tons of groundnuts.
We also have partnerships
with groundnut dealers across
the country where we sell our
TWW provided the seed capital
for them to setup the farm
and that includes the buying
of the seeds and ploughing as
well. However, they also did all
the labour needed; clearing,
seed sowing, weeding and
harvesting.
products.
TWW also has the firm belief
that, we can make it in the
Gambia without the help of
any international aid and we
are quest as an organization
to achieve that goal.
SOFFIA MAGAZINE +220 9913854 | 27
28 | SOFFIA MAGAZINE +220 9913854
SUPER KANJA
(Okra Stew)
Okra soup is a common local dish in the Gambia.
It is normally served at lunchtime and you can
eat it with rice or fufu. Okras are low in saturated
fat, sodium and very low in cholesterol. It is
also a good source of protein, riboflavin, niacin
phosphorus, potassium, zinc, and copper. Okra is
a good source of dietary fiber, vitamins A, C & K,
vitamin B6, folate, calcium, magnesium, and
manganese. Here are the basic steps to cooking
this nutritious and healthy meal.
INGREDIENTS:
1 pound stewing beef or lamb, washed and cut
into 1” cubes
4 quarts water
½ pound piece of smoked fish
1 medium onion, peeled and cut into chunks
1 bunch of spring onions, trimmed and chopped
1 or 2 habanero pepper (optional; carefully
seeded if you don’t want it too hot)
1 teaspoon ground/powdered netetu (fermented
African locust bean)
Salt to taste
1 large or 2 small Maggi cubes (OR substitute
beef bouillon cubes)
1 or 2 boxes of frozen chopped “keren keren”
(Okra Leaves)
1 and ½ cups palm oil
2 bags of chopped okra
INSTRUCTIONS:
1. In a pot, combine meat and water, cover, and
bring to a boil. Add smoked fish and continue
cooking, uncovered, for 15 minutes. Grind
together onion, spring onion and optional
habanero pepper.
2. Add the ground mixture, netetu or fish sauce,
1/8 teaspoon of salt, and Maggi or bouillon
cubes. Reduce the heat slightly and cook for 20
minutes.
3. Then add the chopped okra leaves and cook
for another 20 minutes.
4. Add okra and palm oil. Once the sauce returns
to a boil, cook for 10 minutes.
5. Stir frequently to avoid the ingredients sticking
to the bottom of the pot as the sauce reduces
and thickens for about 30 minutes.
6. Put smoked fish back in the pot, reduce heat
and simmer for a few minutes. You can serve
this over rice or fufu.
Note: You can also add shrimps and crabs to
this dish.
SOFFIA MAGAZINE +220 9913854 | 29
It
gives us
great
pleasure
to bring
you the
sixth issue
of SOF-
FIA Magazine. In 2020, COVID 19 outbreak disrupted our
services, making it a long and arduous ride. This issue took
a lot of courage and hard work after the outbreak, but we
persevere, because we wanted to bring you a quality edition
packed with authentic content and information about interesting
topics in The Gambia. This magazine is devoted
to showcasing The Gambia to the world by highlighting the
most thrilling topics, events, and activities, including health
tips that will blow your mind.
As our cover for this issue, we are pleased to feature Kumba
Daffeh, Founder and CEO of Tresor Women Warriors. We
had an extremely interesting conversation with the humanitarian
and business tycoon, so turn to page 4 to read the
exclusive. In our previous issues, SOFFIA Magazine has
been promoting women’s empowerment as one of its central
themes. Thus, in this issue as well, we had a one-on-one exclusive
with Ida Saine, CEO of Ida’s Ideas. We learn about
the challenges she faced prior to starting her business and
how it has worked out for her. We also have Samera Sanneh
from Same Beauty Saloon, a young beauty entrepreneur
who is establishing her business and simultaneously training
young Gambian beauticians.
Be assured that we will go the extra mile to ensure that you
will be entertained to the fullest. We also featured the hustle
and bustle of Serrekunda Market followed by the glamour
and glitz of the Koriteh (EID) Fashion night. Not only is this
issue filled with exciting conversations but we have also
PUBLISHER’S
NOTE
included articles covering health, like
the Menstrual hygiene day celebration
in The Gambia this year.
Last but not least, we send our deepest
condolences to the family of our once
loyal client, Mr. Alhagie Sanyang, who
was the General Manager for Universal
Properties. We spoke to someone
who was close to him about the man
he was as part of this edition’s tribute.
We would like to thank all the companies
and businesses that advertise with
us because we are dedicated to provide
businesses with the platform to have
their products and services globally.
Our appreciation goes out to the entire
team for their dedication, patience,
meticulousness, and innovative ideas
in creating this edition of SOFFIA
Magazine.
Moreover, we offer a variety of other
services to members of the general
public. Interested parties should feel
free to contact us by phone at +220
9913854 or by email at soffiamagazine@gmail.com.
Publishing
Magazine Design, Printing and Distribution
Advertising and Publicity
Social Media promotion (YouTube,
Twitter, Facebook and Instagram)
As you flip through this issue filled
with pages written and designed with
love from all of us, we wish you a wonderful
reading experience.
30 | SOFFIA MAGAZINE +220 9913854
IN LOVING MEMORY OF ALAGIE SANYANG,
FORMER CEO OF UNIVERSAL PROPERTIES
At Soffia Magazine, we extend our deepest condolences to the Sanyang
family at home and abroad. Mr Sanyang was not only one of our clients
but also a genuine and good colleague with whom we have shared excellent
working relations. Throughout his career, he remained loyal to his
words and passionate about what he did. This edition of Soffia Magazine
would not be complete without a tribute to him, so we interviewed
Mr Omar Touray, a family member and the General Manager of Universal
Properties, to learn more about the man he was.
Can you give us a brief biography of the late Alhagie Sanyang and
how he came to own a business?
Alhagie Sanyang was born and raised in Sukuta. His father is from Gunjur,
and his mother is from Sukuta. So he has some of his family here
and others aboard. Sukuta is where he did his primary and junior school,
followed by Kotu Senior Secondary School, where he completed his high
school education. Mr Sanyang started working as a contractor after his
diploma in 2000 with Atlantic and Palm Beach Hotel, both in Banjul. The
job entailed the supply of fruits, foodstuff and general goods. He learned
to fend for himself and his family early as an only son. He worked with
many companies, including World Link Internet Café and Printing Press as
a Manager. Afterwards, he worked for Premier Properties Ltd., rising to
the position of General Manager in 2007. He then left excitedly to join
Global Properties because he saw an opportunity to pioneer business
with the Proprietor and became a General Manager there. They grew this
business until he had the nudge to start his own. In 2009, he started his
own real estate agency, Universal Properties Ltd. It has been a story of steady growth and success.
In general, how was Mr Sanyang’s relationship with people?
Alhagie was a man of peace. He made peace with everybody in Kombo, including his entire family members. If
you ask anyone about Mr Sanyang, they will only say good things about him. He was so humble in nature, you
would never believe that he was the boss if you came in as a stranger to the office. He was also a humanitarian;
he had such a big heart and was always giving charity to the needy. Around this time of the year, when
Tobaski approaches, he usually buys more than 50 Rams to give away to the needy. I have always been a
beneficiary and haven’t bought a single Ram for the past eight (8) years. May God forgive his shortcomings and
lay him in Jannah-Tul-Firdaws.
What was the cause of his sudden death?
He had closed from work and was travelling to the provinces to a village called Baragel to spend the weekend
with his friends as he usually does. On his way to Kiang Kwinella, his vehicle was knocked to the side by a truck,
and he was the one sitting behind the driver. Unfortunately, he lost his life on the spot.
How is Universal Properties coping in these difficult times?
We are still mourning him. Being in this office reminds us of him every day because he had a vision: to see
everybody in their own compounds. That’s why he used to mortgage a piece of property for eight years. The
Company has been greatly affected by his sudden departure, as we are still uncertain where to continue. Since
everyone has secrets, confidential information or data that would never be shared with anyone, and seeing
how he passed away, he could not tell everyone everything, making it hard for us to accelerate our operations.
Nevertheless, to make his vision a reality, we need to put ourselves together and work tirelessly and know
where to pick it up.
Your last word, please?
In life, we are all human beings and bound to make mistakes or do things the wrong way we think is correct.
This is why, on Mr Sanyang’s behalf, we would seize this opportunity to appeal to the general public to forgive
him. REST IN PEACE!!!
SOFFIA MAGAZINE +220 9913854 | 31
Awa1’s Health Awareness Platform
Hypertension is called a “silent killer” because
most peope may have no warning
signs or symptoms. For this reason, it is
essential that blood pressure is measured
regularly, especially for those tha are known
Symptoms of hypertension can include:
headaches, blurry vision, nosebleeds and
buzzing in the ears.
severe form can cause fatigue, confusion,
anxiety, chest pain, nausea, vomiting, and
muslcle tremors.
Risk factors for Hypertension
• Physical inactivity
• Excessive salt consumption
• Diet high in saturated/alcohol
• Low intake of fruits & vegetables
• Being overweight or obese.
How infection occur and transfer:
For infections to occur the germ would have
to be tranferered from the toilet sit to your
urethra and genital track or through a cut or
sore or sore on the buttocks or thighs which
is possible but very unlikely. Sex toy can
also pass on the infection on some cases.
Symtoms:
The lumps appear on the outer surface of the vagina, Penis, scrotum and around the anus or cervix.
Prevention of Infection:
Prevention is through sexual abstainance or by HPV vaccinations.
Condoms will only reduce the risk but does not totally prevent transmission of genital warts
Advice: You cant have sex during the treament as the chance of passing it on to your partner is
very high.
ULCER
If you’ve been told you have ulcer and see any of these below, there are red flags and you should
go to a hospital
-problem or pain swallowing - Blood in your Poo-Loosing weight
- Persistently vomiting - Feel weak and tired
- Swelling in your abdomen
Red flags meaning there might be something more dangerous than ulcer or might be the ulcer is
getting worse or you’re having complications, Worst on this is the cancer of your stomach.
Before you say you have an ulcer, try and do what is called an endoscopy ( which is a camera
inside to look into your stomach)
What a lot of people have is a Dyspepsia and labelled themselves as Ulcer without doing appropriate
test.
Some early stomach cancer signs have been missed too.
32 | SOFFIA MAGAZINE +220
Skincare tips: simple steps to healthy skin
Time-consuming skincare isn't your
thing? Master the basics instead.
Skin problems can be avoided and
delayed by maintaining a healthy
lifestyle and taking good care of the
skin. Here are five easy tips to get
you started.
Take precautions against the sun
1.
A good way to take care of your
skin is to protect it from the sun.
The sun’s rays can cause wrinkles,
age spots, and other skin
problems over time. Apply sunscreen
generously and reapply
every couple of hours to protect
yourself from the sun. When the
sun’s rays are strongest, especially
during the day, avoid the
sun as much as possible.
4.
Maintain a healthy diet
Having a healthy diet can improve
your appearance and well-being.
Include plenty of fruits, vegetables,
grains, and lean proteins in your diet.
Keep your skin hydrated by drinking
plenty of water.
2.
3.
Avoid smoking
Smoking ages the skin and
causes wrinkles. In the outermost
layers of skin, smoking
narrows the tiny blood vessels,
decreasing blood flow and
fading the skin. As a result, the
skin also loses the oxygen and
nutrients it needs to survive.
Additionally, smoking causes
collagen and elastin to break
down, which is responsible for the strength
and elasticity of your skin.
Gently care for your skin
Shaving and cleansing your skin daily can
harm it. Be gentle with your skin. Keep bath
time to a minimum. Showering and bathing in
hot water strip the skin of its natural oils. Utilize
warm - rather than hot - water when taking
a bath or shower. Also, do not use strong
soaps. Such products can strip the skin of its
natural oils. Stick to gentle cleansers instead.
Whenever you shave, use shaving cream,
lotion or gel to protect and lubricate your skin.
5.
Manage your stress
When you’re stressed out, your skin
will become more sensitive and may
break out in acne. Managing your
stress can keep your skin healthy -
and your mind healthy too. Getting
enough sleep, establishing reasonable
limits, and narrowing your to-do
list will help you to make time for the
things you enjoy. It might surprise
you how much difference it makes.
SOFFIA MAGAZINE +220 9913854 | 33
22 MENSTRUAL HYGIENE DAY CELEBRATION IN THE
20GAMBIA
Throughout the world, Menstrual Hygiene Day is officially observed
on May 28. It is celebrated on 28 May due to the fact that
menstrual cycles last 28 days on average and people menstruate
five days on average each month (May is the fifth month of the
year). It aims to advance menstrual health as a biological process so
that people do not feel stigmatised or excluded as a result of menstruation,
and that they are treated more fairly and don’t feel like less. The
campaign also raises awareness of period poverty, a phenomenon of
being unable to purchase the menstrual supplies necessary for managing
health and hygiene.
In The Gambia, several organisations commemorate this day each year,
but this year was special because most of the organisations focused on
improving menstrual hygiene and addressing menstruation-related issues
formed a coalition. It was intended to gather efforts and host a larger celebration.
There are about eleven different non-profit organisations in The
Gambia that make up the coalition.
On Saturday, the 28th of May 2022, the coalition held a match-past
from Senegambia to the Sir Dawda Kairaba Conference Center,
where they joined UNFPA, The Gambia for an event filled with activities
on menstrual hygiene and health. Among the attendees were students
from all over the country as well as high level personalities, including the
Minister of Gender, Children, and Social Welfare. There were two panel
discussions held, in which students talked about period shaming and
menstrual health. To decrease pad puberty, reusable sanitary pads were
given to young girls and women at the end of the event.
34 | SOFFIA MAGAZINE +220 9913854
SANTA YALLA
Tabokoto, right Opposite Nice Building, Tabokoto-Brikama Highway.
Courtesy of Mr. Abubacarr S. Camara Director General of The
Gambia Tourism Board and his entire staff.
ECOTOURISM
OCEAN SUNSET
AGRICULTURE
RIVER GAMBIA CULTURE WILDLIFE
CITY OF BANJUL