It's here

Six months, hundreds of miles, and countless hours in front of a computer later, it's finally online. Pathways to Progress had its World Premiere to a packed house on December 5th, 2011 at the Alliance Franco-Gambienne, located in the Kombo region of The Gambia. Major shout-outs go to the U.S, Embassy Banjul for providing the grant that made the travel, lodging, and DVD production costs of the film possible, and to the national Gambian television station GRTS for playing the documentary and thereby increasing awareness of Peace Corps in The Gambia. Many thanks must also go to music artists Jalibah Kuyateh, the legendary Gambian kora player, and Moby, one of my all-time favorite composers, for their permission to use their music in the final film. And, of course, I can't forget the Volunteers of Peace Corps in The Gambia. Thanks to them, the people of The Gambia have better access to knowledge, new skills, and an enhanced quality of life. Volunteers also put together the many projects and activities featured in the documentary.

Alliance Franco-Gambienne Premiere 5 December 2011

So, without further ado, I present Pathways to Progress: Peace Corps in The Gambia.

Pretty (and Smart) in Pink

I’m not gonna lie – today’s video is very near and dear to me. It features a good friend and amazing Peace Corps Volunteer, Kelsey Lyle, and it features a very talented and inspirational woman, Miss Mariama Jallow, affectionately known as “MJ” to friends and colleagues. MJ is the owner of a successful hairdressing salon, which also trains Gambian women to be professional stylists. The Peace Corps connection comes in the form of life skills classes. For the unacquainted, life skills are a series of lessons that focus on empowering the individual through positive behavior. Topics can range from how to say no to drugs to balancing finances. In the case of MJ’s salon, the ladies are educated on peer pressure, sugar daddies, sexually transmitted infections (STIs), and even on the female anatomy. A majority of the students are single parents and divorcees who married very young and did not finish their education, and are looking to help themselves and their families. MJ’s desire to empower women and the volunteers’ determination to break the language barrier and impart valuable life lessons are a match made in heaven, as the video showcases.

So, without further ado, I present the pink paradise of Brikama, MJ’s Hairdressing Express Beauty Salon and Skills Training Center.

Music credit: Lively Up Yourself by Bob Marley and The Wailers