By pointing young people to a direction that will yield them an encouraging life full of success stories could be classified as empowerment. This can be done systematically for years before a person can achieve targets for the role he plays as a model for people, particularly the young ones.

Unfortunately, many of our young people have failed to understand or recognise that success is a venture that can be achieved over a period of time. Many of us are frustrated by time and period takento success. There always remains a strong perception that most of the current social problems that are endemic in our countries are the direct result of the neglect of education and youth development for the past decades; be it unemployment, teenage pregnancy, increasing drug-users or dealers, crime, indiscipline, corruption, greed and selfishness.

Since 2005, the young people of Kombo East have taken a vow to transform their district and redirect the focus of their fellow young people for good. This started with few determined youths, which led to the establishment of the whole district youth and children alliance called the Kombo East District Youth and Children Development Alliance (KEYCDA). The alliance has trained young people to become more responsible and to always have the mentality that the development and future of the district solely rests in their own palms.

Today, from the empowerment and trainings offered to the youth of this district both by KEYCDA and her main partner, Kaira Nyining, ChildFund affiliated federation, the Alliance is engaging many youth in diverse areas. Laawol Welli, an entrepreneurial company that was established during the Junior Achievement (JA) training in Kuloro, is now employing its members, impacting on the long time concern of youth employment.

Inculcating in the youth traditional and national values has been the concern of every progressive society everywhere. Our fore fathers had a way of doing theirs effectively through various rites and groups. The colonial government intentionally encouraged associations like the scout and guild movements, volunteer work camp associations, and Red Cross, which served as outlets to the energies, idealism and sense of being a brother or sister's keeper for the youth. These are vital values in nation building.

The company, which is today producing mainly sweet bread, bread and cake, has employed three of its members. The company has also earlier opened consumer shops in Mandinaba and Tubakuta, employing two of its members in those areas too. The Human Resource manager of the company, Lamin Jammeh told the Youth Matters that their target is to make all members independently empowered at the soonest possible time. 

Jammeh said there are always obviously some disturbing aspects in trying to bring about youth development, but the basic idea of having a business company to inculcate the culture and values of entrepreneurship into her members and inundate them with patriotism is a good idea.

He however appealed for support from other standing institutions and government, saying “we already secured a bakery and we want to start supplying bread and other flour products all over Kombo East and beyond”.