Dawda Rowsey, a retired American soldier recently warned young Gambians against risking their lives by embarking on the perilous journey abroad through irregular migration saying: “the back way is not the right way.”
Mr. Rowsey, the black American former military man who has now chosen Gambia as his second home following his retirement and got married to a Gambian lady was speaking during a workshop recently organized by the Centre for Street Children and Child Trafficking Studies (CSCACTS) held at the center’s offices housed at the Home for the Elderly complex under Social Welfare Department situated in Bakoteh Layout.
CSCACTS, a non–profit organization dedicated to protect, care, support and provide information through research on vulnerable, trafficked and street children last week held a workshop on the following theme: “Carrier Counseling,” “How young people should deal with psycho-socio problems” and “Talk on Inspirational leadership” at the center’s office.
Sounding like afro-optimist, Mr. Rowsey told young boys and girls, most of them students, that Africa has a very promising future stressing that by 2030; Africa would be the fastest growing continent across the globe. Coming nearer home, he buttressed on the opportunities existing in the Gambia. “Gambia is moving. Gambia is a gold mine and so make use of the opportunities,” he challenged the participants. According to him, the youth can make it right here in the Gambia if they can spot the opportunities and utilize such opportunities. “Look, you have everything and that’s why the Chinese, Russians and other foreigners are coming into the country.”
Mr. Rowsey also buttressed the need for Gambians to get the right education, skills as well as develop the culture of working together so that they can move their country forward. Meanwhile, the workshop was moderated by Momodou L Jaiteh, the center’s coordinator and there were presentation on other topics such as – How young people should deal with psycho-socio problems, the right carrier for the future among others.