Daughters of Africa foundation in partnership with the University of the Gambia completed week long training on creative writing which was held at the Faculty of law, Seminar room, between 24th June to 28th June, 2019. Scores of students across all faculties and community members were trained on the basics and techniques involved in creative writing process.
“ASaferla” a Mandinka term meaning the writer, is a creative writing project initiated by Daughters of Africa to train journalists on how to improve, model and harness their creative writing skills.
The training was conducted by Professor Geoff Ryman a Canadian from the University of Birkbeck, UK, whose fictional writing has seen him scoop awards across the globe. He was impressed by the enthusiasm of students and their willingness and thirst to learn and improve their writing skills. ‘I am very impressed and I have seen a lot of potentials in these students…the University administration should include creative writing in the curriculum to help students improve their skills,’ Ryman said.
‘There are lots of writing competitions across the globe and Gambians barely participate…the world is a global village so we want to prepare writers to be able to represent the country at the international stage,’ the Project Manager of Daughters of Africa Famara Fatty said.
‘This project is a way of nurturing young Gambians to be great writers who will write as Africans for Africa and is not to write as Africans for the West,’ said Odiri, the Program Manager.
Isatou Jaiteh a participant and second year student said this training boosted her confidence and professor Ryman ignited the willingness in her to keep on writing.
‘The administration should create a platform to help and motivate us to be great writers because writing can change the state of this country,’ she added.
Students were awarded certificates at the end of the week long training.
The next training is scheduled in November 2019.