Maimouna's story

Maimouna, a beneficiary on the SOS Family Strengthening Programme in The Gambia has known a lot of struggle and insecurity. Her father died in September 2007 and left the family with almost nothing but a few belongings. With no regular income to rent a place or properly care for her family's essential needs, Maimouna's mother, Bintou, her five children and her little nephew had to move in with her late husband's brother, Ousman. They now share a two room house with seven other people: Ousman, his young wife, their four young children and their old grandmother. And even that house does not belong to the family. It's been lent to them and in exchange they have to take care of the owner's crops, which are planted on the land beside the house. They could be thrown out at anytime. To feed themselves, the whole family more or less relies on Ousman and his donkey! Ousman earns his living by carrying rubbish or other things on his donkey cart. Bintou and her sister-in-law sell items from a tray (a few oranges, some biscuits...), but this is definitely not enough to meet the families' needs. Like almost 70% of the Gambian women, Bintou is illiterate and lacks skills. This limits her potential to earn a proper living in the urban area she lives in. But, as the Family Strengthening Programme coordinator explains, plans are underway to make sure Bintou is able to generate more income this year.

The family has been on the programme for the past year and a half. Priority was given to the children's real needs. A monthly food package containing rice, oil, sugar and powder milk was given to the family to help them and make sure the children go to school with something in their stomach. Maimouna and her siblings also received educational assistance (fees and materials) and are now back at school. When the family joined the programme, right after the death of the father, Family Strengthening Programme coordinator Kumba spent hours counselling the children and their mother to help them to overcome their loss. Now she regularly visits them and gives them advice on hygiene, health, and childcare and follows up on their education, or simply chats with them and listens to their concerns and dreams.

During Kumba's last visit one late afternoon, the whole family was finishing their lunch outside, around the common food bowl. A few minutes later, most of them gathered in one of the two rooms. While Kumba was offered the only proper seat, Maimouna and most of the other children (her siblings and her cousins) gathered on the bed. That's when, talking about her education and plans for the future, Maimouna explained she wanted to become a policewoman. That made the children laugh, as everyone knows Maimouna likes to be in charge! And as the eldest child, she's very good at it! Maimouna explained that she had wanted to become a policewoman since the age of twelve. "I like it! You have to make sure the law is respected and I think it's a good contribution to my country! I also like the uniform! It's very attractive and sexy!" she adds. Her mother, who has heard the discussion and knows about Maimouna's dream, coming into the room laughing. "Yes, you sure like to show who's boss", she says in amusement. But Bintou is very proud to have a determined girl who has a goal in life - and a serious one for that matter. She's also very proud and relieved that all her children are being educated and have better chance in life.

Though life has not always been easy and full of hope, the modest support her family has received from the Family Strengthening Programme has given everyone hope for a better future and opportunities to fulfil their dreams.