DDF Fellowship Summary
- DDF Project Title
Facilitation of New Sectoral Career Options
- DDF Fellow Reference Number
- DDF61
- Fellow's Diaspora Country
Sweden
- Partner in The Gambia
Join Hands to Save A Baby
- Geographical Coverage
- Rural
- Initial Project Period
- April 2026 – July 2026
- Main Project Results
A small demonstration corner and practical displays were established beyond the original orientation. Participants were introduced to basic budgeting, pricing, and customer service principles.
Challenges and Opportunities
The assignment period was limited, which restricted the depth of practical training that could be delivered. Rising costs of decoration and agricultural inputs affected the quantity of materials available for demonstrations.
There is a growing interest among young people in vocational skills, event services, and small-scale agriculture. Decoration sessions increased awareness of vocational opportunities and encouraged participants to consider self-employment.
Fatou Owens Jarra
DDF61
About The Project
This project was implemented as part of the Diaspora Development Fund (DDF) fellowship assignment at Botrop Technical Upper & Senior Secondary School. The assignment focused on delivering practical, skills-based training across three thematic areas: event decoration as entrepreneurship, agriculture and small-scale agribusiness, and irregular migration awareness with safer livelihood options.
The project was designed to equip young people with marketable vocational skills, promote self-employment, and provide viable local alternatives to irregular migration. A total of 85 participants were trained, comprising 52 females and 38 males, with the majority (83) under the age of 21.
The project involved delivering practical orientation in decorative entrepreneurship, covering event styling, colour coordination, table and chair arrangement, backdrop preparation, and basic client management. An introductory agriculture session was delivered, covering crop production, nursery preparation, soil management, and small-scale agribusiness. The team also held awareness discussions on irregular migration, safer livelihood options, and skills-based employment. Selected decoration techniques were demonstrated, and discussions covered how trainees can start small, community-based businesses.
DDF Results and Impact
A total of 85 participants were trained across the three thematic areas. This comprised 52 females and 38 males. The majority of participants, 83 in total, were under the age of 21, while 2 participants were aged between 22 and 36 years, and none were over 36. Three training sessions were delivered, and 72 hours were spent on the project. In-kind support raised was valued at approximately D35,000.
Participants gained basic skills in event decoration, agricultural production, and livelihood planning. Decoration sessions increased awareness of vocational opportunities and encouraged participants to consider self-employment. Agriculture sessions promoted practical food-production skills and small-scale income-generation opportunities. Migration-awareness sessions improved understanding of risks associated with irregular migration and highlighted local alternatives.
Agricultural learning was linked with entrepreneurship by discussing crop production as a source of household income. Participants were also encouraged to form peer-support groups for continued skills practice after the training.
Vocational and entrepreneurship mentorship was provided in event decoration, agriculture, and livelihood planning. A total of 85 mentees were reached, comprising 52 females and 38 males. Of these, 83 were under 21 years, 2 were aged 22 to 36 years, and none were over 36.
