In fulfillment of her earlier promise to President Jammeh, the reigning Miss July 22nd beauty queen recently visited four schools in Foni.

Kaddijatou Manneh, a student of the University of The Gambia (UTG), crowned Miss July 22nd on July 23, 2011, met with students of Fatima, Mayork, Sibanor and Kalaji Senior Secondary Schools.

She explained that the objective of her weeklong tour was to inspire girls to double their efforts in their academics, as well as build their self-esteem. She said the Miss July 22nd Pageant is a platform created by the president of the ensure that girls do not only have access to education, but also be exposed to a lot of things that would help enhance their self-esteem and ensure that they do have scholarship packages.

“I did not only achieve that, but I was also able to listen to some of the problems they face in schools and I felt that as an individual, I need to come with a difference. This is why despite the fact that I was unable to do it earlier on, I decided that summer time would be the best to possibly meet the target groups of students who are girls,” Kaddijatou added.

She explained that she had the opportunity to make a presentation on the impact of girl’s education in nation building at all the four schools she visited. She continued: “Many at times what happens when pageants are organised, most of the winners would make lots of promises and at the end of the day they do nothing at all. But I make sure that I have to stand to my promise and visit the four major senior schools in Foni and my message to students throughout the tour was that as girls, we must become great women in future and that needs to start today.

The beauty queen also said that the reaction from the students was very positive. Her words: “It has exceeded beyond what I expected because I learned when I went to the schools that most of the students felt left out. They thought all the concentration on the learning is centered on schools around Greater Banjul Area. But when I went there they felt love and most of them felt that they could look up to me as a role model. This makes them to take decision on their life that day, to work towards becoming great women in this country.”

Kaddijatou acknowledged the support rendered to her during the tour by the Tertiary Students Association of Foni, thus, facilitating all her visits at the schools. She also thanked President Jammeh for initiating the programme, which, according to her, is embraced by all students with determination and expectation.