TRYING TIMES ( Poetry)

TRYING TIMES

I am confuse!
In distress, all doors are close
The balcony of my strength got loose
I am in constant distress
My joy, agony transgress.

Sadness deface my face
Lonely in this race
All seems to be dark, the next stage
No crony around to be trace.

Poverty puts me in distress
My happiness, it transgress
My thoughts all branded senseless
Struggling alone, I am helpless
Are my people clueless?

Tomorrow, nobody can forecast
Why should I be outcast?
Is the society changing so fast?

Poverty is a nature
That I never wished to nurture
Because in it, there's no pleasure
And my life needs a treasure.


I am equally a human, your partner
Not like a worm and a flower
But like a sister and a brother
Embrace me and stop giving me a trauma.

Cogitate, tomorrow I can behest
Vagaries of life, do not be aghast..
My life seems to be in gloomy
Tomorrow, it can change, this is not funny.

 If today is  Monday
Tomorrow will be Tuesday
Nothing stays forever
And never say never!

I am living in poverty
Outcast in the society
Agony deface my face
When will I be in felicity? Having value in the society?


Written by:
©ML DRAMMEH CSAY
#YWAG
#THELIGHT

Call for Application ( Gambian Literature ANTHOLOGY 2018-2019)

The Drumbeats of The Gambia for Gambian literature ANTHOLOGY 2018 - 2019 (to publish all young Gambian writers' in an anthology, + more)

Deadline: November 30th, 2018

The Young Writers' Association of The Gambia ( YWAG) is seeking for poems, short stories, and articles that resonate, reverbrate and reflect Gambian literature, arts, and culture. The subjects of taboo are widely explored in this ANTHOLOGY to defining us as a people. The emerging Gambian authors of this generation are not afraid to go further afield for the literary fodder.

YWAG under the dynamic leadership of Kebba Mamburay ( Chairperson) and Lala Touray ( Vice President) aim at empowering young Gambian writers of Gambian citizenship who lacked some successes in their work as aspiring writers. The Call is open to both published and unpublished young writers' living in and outside The Gambia.


The writers can be living anywhere in the world- but must be a Gambian citizen by birth and must be willing to be a MEMBER of The Young Writers' Association of The Gambia ( YWAG).  In honor of the YWAG’s vision of promoting Gambian literature and celebrating its 7th Year Anniversary on January 7  2019,  upcoming writers of genuine talent will be honored at the National Writers' Festival and the Night of Spoken Word 2019. The Night of Spoken Word will feature a public lecture, an award ceremony and outstanding performances from The Gambia's best and emerging poets and spoken words artists. THE DRUMBEATS OF THE GAMBIA aim to promote and support Gambian literature, writing and publishing by young people. This ANTHOLOGY will be donated to the Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education ( MoBSE), The Gambia National Library, the US Embassy Banjul, UNESCO, The University of The Gambia ( UTG),  various junior and secondary schools in The Gambia,  public and private libraries in the world.

ABOUT THE ANTHOLOGY:

* Will be available in all online stores,  libraries and bookshops.
* Will be launched by the Online Launch Team
* Include a Video Trailer
* Reviews
* Copyright and Royalties are owned by the authors and the publishers
* Will feature renowned young writers of The Gambia
* Book Website and Media Outreach



Eligibility

1. Submissions will only be accepted from young Gambian citizens home and abroad.

2. All entries should be an original work of the authors and never to have been published anywhere in any form.


3. Writers should be aged between 15-35 years old at the time of submission to this Anthology.

4. The Anthology accepts entries for fiction and non-fiction of the genre: prose and poetry ONLY.

5.  Each writer will be allowed to enter a maximum of one (1) poem or a short story per author.

6. The submissions should depitch Gambian culture and tradition

7. The poems should be themed-based and must not be more than 20 lines; articles should be less thab 1000 words, and the short stories must not be more than 1000 words.

8. Strictly note that the Call will be closed when we receive 25 submissions. So it's first come first serve.

Each entry will be required to be accompanied by:


* A Short Biography of  the author of about 50-100 words exactly.

* Send along with Proofs of Ownership of the WORK ( i.e, ID copy, passport, a snapshot of the handwritten manuscript, etc)

Please see the plan for the ANTHOLOGY:

Application

(Please click on the link below to summit your application online )


www.ebrimasawaneh.com/survey

TO SAVE GAMBIA, BARROW ADMINISTRATION HAS TO BE AWARE OF CHINA'S 'DEBT TRAP DIPLOMCAY'.

"Nothing is required, and nothing will avail, but a little clear thinking".- John Maynard Keyness

It's crucial to note that there's no permanent friend in international relations, but permanent interest.
China has a dream; the elusive quest for the greatest untapped market on earth- this dream has maintained extraordinary potency in the expense of "developing countries".
The China dream is too resilient, and the "developing world" determination to see it come true too great.

President Barrow has to use his position as a moral fulcrum to understand that, the Chinese can milk even an ant to get a liquid, and that they're eyeing our fish resource and other deliverables to turn their dream into a reality. And given us loans that we can not service, so as to strangle our economy.
Our fish resource is getting depleted every waking minute by the Chinese investors. The Gambia has high rate of unemployment. Unemployment Rate in Gambia increased to 9.50 percent in 2017 from 9.40 percent in 2016. It's high time for the Gambia government to stop China's scramble for our resources, and invest in this fishing sector to create employment for the youth and boast our economy.

The idea of Chain's 'debt trap diplomacy' is giving alluring loans to developing countries, when these countries ossify to pay then they demand concession.
Zambia has provided a shining example recently, they defaulted on a couple of loans, and apparently lost the Zambia's Power Utility (zesco) and Zambia's broadcasting corporation to China. By all indications, Zambia is becoming the Chinese property and colony. Heaven forbid! This is a prime lesson for the Barrow Administration.

The news of Gambia's strengthened bilateral relation with The People's Republic of China has raised fundamental issues. What is the Gambia's bargaining power in term of comparative advantage? It's important to note that, like farmers quest for agricultural productivity, Chinese investors press unending forward to be the largest economy in the world, as any means necessary.

To raise the economic positions of Gambians, President Barrow must be inclined to believe that, as a sovereign state we must depend on what we can do. So we can distance our great nation from China's 'debt trap diplomacy'.
This is not to say that we don’t need help, but help coming from outside is secondary. We must primarily depend on ourselves for our survival.

As the Socialist Proponent Hon. Sedia Jatta, said, “We have fresh water in the country, which can be used 12 months of the year, so we should think about what we should do to change our agriculture, not only rain fed, but means to make it all year around agriculture".
The Gambia needs a strategic plan to get the agriculture and fishing sector booming. The survival of our great nation hunches on the agriculture and fishing sector, and not loans from China or any outside power.

Kwameh Nkrumah sums it up: The less developed world will not become developed through the goodwill or generosity of the developed powers. It can only become developed through a struggle against the external forces which have a vested interest in keeping it underdeveloped.

By, Buba S. Njie
Political Science student.

Commonwealth Youth Award 2019 Nominee for The Gambia

Having learned of the call for nominations for this year's Nominations for 2019 Commonwealth Young Person of the Year.


The Young Writers' Association of The Gambia ( YWAG) is writing to endorse a highly suitable individual, (Miss. Satang Dumbuya) as the NOMINEE for The Gambia 2019.

In many ways exceeding the challenging requirements and expectations for the award, Satang Dumbuya's ambitions, intelligence, and accomplishments complement precisely the stellar community of past recipients and make her highly deserving of the honor and opportunity bestowed by the (Nominations for 2019 Commonwealth Young Person of the Year).

To further support this nomination, we would be pleased to have you visit the link below; register and nominate Miss. Dumbuya for the Commonwealth Youth Award 2019.

 We need your nominations to bring the prize to The Gambia Our Homeland.

https://commonwealth-youthexcellence.awardsplatform.com/


ABOUT THE NOMINEE FOR THE GAMBIA

"Hello everyone, my name is Satang Dumbuya, I am 24 years old and an enthusiastic young lady passionate about seeking solutions to various issues in our communities and country at large. I have been in activism for more than a dozen years. I have led and still leading organizations that are doing extremely well aiming at achieving the SDGs.

I am currently studying Law at the University of The Gambia ( UTG) as I aspire to become a Peace and Conflict Resolution Expert, working with and for people.
I have led series of life changing events and has successfully contributed in mentoring, teaching, sensitizing and educating people in addressing issues such as Women, Youth and children empowerment and involvement in decision making processes which happened to be my platform through which I won The Face of Beauty Gambia 2018.

Through my dedication and commitment in youth work as an activist, and my efforts in achieving the SDGs, I have also won the award of the Best Participant for the Voice Of The Youth Competition 1st Edition recently held in The Gambia, in 2018.


I seek your support in nominating me for this life changing award."

YWAG To Stage A National Young Writers' Festival In 2019

The New Executive of The Young Writers' Association of The Gambia  ( YWAG ) has yesterday, 03rd August,  2018, paid a courtesy visit to Mr. Hassoum Ceesay the Vice President of The Writers' Association of The Gambia  ( WAG), the Director of Copyright and Cultural Heritage at The National Centre for Arts and Culture / The Gambia National Museum in Banjul.


The delegation was led by Mr.  Kebba Mamburay,  the Chairperson of The Young Writers' Association of The Gambia  ( YWAG). The Meeting was chaired by the PRO of YWAG,  Mr. Muhammed Lamin Drammeh-Csay; and the following things were discussed:


AGENDA FOR THE COURTESY VISIT TO WAG



1. Formally INTRODUCE the New YWAG EXECUTIVE to the entire WAG.

2. Seek their guardianship and experience as a Youth-Wing UNDER them.

3. Seek their joint-collaborations by staging the First NATIONAL YOUNG WRITERS' FESTIVAL in January  2019.

The Festival will BE a Grand fund- RAISING event to gather all young writers' in and outside The Gambia to do the following:

A. Celebrate the 7 Years Anniversary of YWAG founded on 7 January 2012

B. Stage The Night of Spoken Word Gala which itself will be the fund-RAISING Event.  All Spoken Word Artists in The Gambia will be performing in the event; to include dramas, lectures, and the Award ceremony.


C. To give the annual Young Gambian Writers' Award for Literature in the following:

1. Best Male Young Gambian Writer Award for Literature 2019

2. Best Female Young Gambian Writer Award for Literature 2019


( The Award CRITERIA is as follow:

1.  The young writers' must be a Gambian citizen

2.  Must at least published a full complete book alone ( no co-authored books are eligible for the prize). Two or more books can be entered.

3. Must be less than 33 years old

4. Must be living in or outside The Gambia

5. Must send details of their books to the Secretary General of YWAG latest before 31st December 2018. A maximum of two books are allowed for ENTRY to the Prize.


THE AWARD WILL BE JUDGED BY THE EXECUTIVE OF YWAG ACCORDING TO THE FOLLOWING:

1. Quality of the book and the publisher that published the book.

2. Impact of the book globally

3. Has any of the books being approved by MoBSE to be used in schools.

THE FOLLOWING NAMES ARE THE AUTHORS' SHORTLISTED FOR THE PRIZE:





1. Modou Lamin Sowe well-known by his penname Modou Lamin Age-Almusaf Sowe alias ML: ENTRIES: (  The Throne of The Ghost and The Memories of Reflection)


2. Famara Fofana: ENTRIES: (  When My Village Was My Village and his recent book, A Recollections of An African Child.



3. Adam Nyang :  ENTRIES : ( Her debut novel,  "Agonies and Misfortunes."





4. Ebrima B. Sawaneh, ENTRIES: ( His debut book: " The 12 Proven Secrets To Pass Any Professional Exam At The First Sitting"




5.  Marabi S. Hydara alias Tha Poet: ENTRIES: ( his debut poetry collection " Food for The Soul"





6. Isatou Jallow alias Barbie : ENTRIES : ( Her debut novel " The Weekend. ")

THE 50 MOST INFLUENTIAL YOUNG GAMBIAN WRITERS' IN 2018

People listed here are all citizens of The Republic of The Gambia living home and abroad. We do (on occasion) include those that have either lived within the country or abroad for most of their youthful life, or have made a significant contribution to The Gambia in their personal endeavors. 

The list is therefore prepared by The Young Writers' Association of The Gambia ( YWAG ),  and determined through their TALENT, PUBLICATION, CONTRIBUTION IN SOCIETY; and their INTERNATIONAL ACCLAIM as either PUBLISHED or UNPUBLISHED WRITERS'/ ASPIRING WRITERS'. 

THE CRITERIA FOR THE LIST 

 The Young Writers' Association of The Gambia (YWAG) determined the list through the following:

1. PUBLICATION ( whether they PUBLISHED a Book or not )

2.  TALENT, 

3.CONTRIBUTION IN SOCIETY

4.  INTERNATIONAL ACCLAIM

( GAMBIAN AUTHORS' ALREADY PUBLISHED IN AND OUTSIDE THE GAMBIA )

1. Modou Lamin Sowe well-known by his penname Modou Lamin Age-Almusaf Sowe alias ML: PUBLISHED AUTHOR: (  Renowed West African Writer, Scholar of Intellectual Property, Poet,  Prolific Playwright,  Novelist,  Actor, Filmmaker, Short Story Writer,  Librarian, Literary Blogger, and Bestselling Author ). Published in USA for his debut play "The Throne of The Ghost" ( ISBN9789789497133), and other books published in The Gambia and Self-published are: Spit of Misery, The Memories of Reflection, Love Incense, Don't Judge The Book By The Cover and Temple of Wisdom. 

2. Famara Fofana: PUBLISHED AUTHOR : ( Prolific Author, Novelist, Communications Specialist and renowed Journalist ). Published in The Gambia and known for his debut Short Story,  "When My Village Was My Village ".  He was also published in an anthology entitle: "The Long Road to Democracy in The Gambia" and his recent new released book, Recollections of an African Child .

3. Adam Nyang :  PUBLISHED AUTHOR : ( Prolific Author, Novelist and Short Story Writer). Published in The Gambia and known for her debut novel,  "Agonies and Misfortunes."

4. Ebrima B. Sawaneh PUBLISHED AUTHOR: ( Prolific Bestselling Author, Banker, Accountant, and Blogger). Self-published with Amazon and known for his debut book, " The 12 Proven Secrets To Pass Any Professional Exam At The First Sitting"

5.  Marabi S. Hydara alias Tha Poet: PUBLISHED AUTHOR: ( Prolific Author,  Clerk, Poet,  Short Story Writer, and Scholar ). Co-authored two books: "A Harvest of Gambian Lines", published in The UK, "The Long Road to Democracy in The Gambia", and also published in The Gambia and known for his debut poetry collection " Food for The Soul"

6. Isatou Jallow alias Berbie : PUBLISHED AUTHOR : ( Prolific Novelist and Short Story Writer ). Self-published on Wattap and known for her debut novel " The Weekend. "

7. Talibeh Hydara alias Talibeh Gibran Hydara : PUBLISHED AUTHOR: ( Prolific Journalist, Author,  Essayist,  Editor, Poet and Columnist). Co-authored a book published in The UK in an anthology entitle: " A Harvest of Gambian Lines"

8 .  Omar Cham alias Champion Poet : PUBLISHED AUTHOR :( Icon of Academics, Debater, Aspiring Novelist, Youth Volunteer, Prolific Poet, Award-Winning Spoken Word Artist, and Online Reporter).  Co-authored a book published in The UK in an anthology entitle: " A Harvest of Gambian Lines"

9.  Abdoulie Sandengba Jatta alias Sandengba: PUBLISHED AUTHOR : ( Renowed Journalist, Author, Short Story Writer,  and Prolific Poet). Co- authored a book published in The UK in an anthology entitle: " A Harvest of Gambian Lines", and also co-authored a book published in The Gambia for his debut " The Cubian Five"

10.  Satang Dumbuya: PUBLISHED AUTHOR : ( Prolific Poetess, Actress, Playwright,  Activist, and Lawyer ). Co- authored a book published in The UK in an anthology entitle: " A Harvest of Gambian Lines", and also co-authored a book published in The Gambia for her debut:  " The Cubian Five"

11.  Ousman M. Njie:  PUBLISHED AUTHOR :  ( Prolific Poet,  Short Story Writer, Spoken Word Artist, and Computer Science Analyst). Has published volumes of poems on "All-Poetry and Poetry Soup". He was also published in an anthology entitle: "The Long Road to Democracy in The Gambia".

12.  Fatoumatta Jallow: PUBLISHED AUTHOR : (Prolific  Short Story Writer and Novelist). Self-published on Wattap.

13. Muhammed Lamin Janneh: PUBLISHED AUTHOR: (Poet, Short Story Writer and Youth Leader ). Has published three poems with a Nigerian blog call "Germantominds.com". 

   ( UNPUBLISHED GAMBIAN AUTHORS AND ASPIRING WRITERS' IN AND OUTSIDE THE GAMBIA)

14.  Saikou Suwareh Jabai alias Prof. Jabai: UNPUBLISHED: ( Award-Winning Journalist and Prolific Climate Change Activist )

15.  Cherno Gaye : UNPUBLISHED : ( Prolific Poet, Aspiring Writer, Award-Winning Spoken Word Artist, and Youth Leader) 

16.  Lala Touray : UNPUBLISHED : (Prolific  Poet, Activist, Socialist, Feminist, Art Lover,  Environmentalist, Award-Winning Spoken Word Artist, and Book-worm)

17.   Lamin Barrow alias Tha Rainbow Poet:  UNPUBLISHED: ( Prolific Award-Winning Spoken Word Artist,  Poet, Art Lover,  Youth Leader and Aspiring Writer )

18.  Saidina Alieu Jarjou: UNPUBLISHED : (Prolific  Blogger, Youth Leader,  and Political Activist)

19.   Aja Rohey Fofana:  UNPUBLISHED: ( Prolific Poetess, Novelist, Playwright , Short Story Writer,  and Gender Activist) 

20.  Muhammed Lamin Drammeh Csay alias ML Csay : UNPUBLISHED : ( Prolific Poet, Debater, Youth Leader, and Aspiring Writer )

21.  Kalifa Jabbie alias Karl Tha Poet : UNPUBLISHED : (Prolific  Poet and Aspiring Writer )

22.  Sanaba Jawla : UNPUBLISHED : (Prolific Poet, Aspiring Writer, Actor, and Motivational Speaker )

23. Cherno Abdourahman Bah alias Tha Auspicious: UNPUBLISHED : ( Prolific Poet and Aspiring Writer )

24.  Hadram Hydara alias Saptientia Seeker :  UNPUBLISHED : ( Journalist, Writer and Prolific Poet)

25.  Momodou Jarju: UNPUBLISHED : (Journalist, Essayist, Prolific Poet and Blogger)

26. Kebba Mamburay alias Kebba Bint Uthman Mamburay :  UNPUBLISHED: ( Prolific Columnist, Journalist, Poet, Youth Leader, and Aspiring Writer )

   27. Momodou Lamin Bah alias The Virtuous : UNPUBLISHED : ( Prolific Poet and Aspiring Writer )

28.  Muhammed Tambedou :UNPUBLISHED : ( Poet and Aspiring Writer )

29.  Batou Saidy alias Mr.  Batou Tha Golden Pen: UNPUBLISHED : ( Poet and Aspiring Writer)

30.  Muhamed Lamin Ceesay: UNPUBLISHED : ( Aspiring Writer and Poet)

31.  Fatima Jawara alias Timah: UNPUBLISHED:  ( Poetess,  Spoken Word Artist and Aspiring Writer )

32.  Aja Musu Bah-Daffeh alias The Lady Poet:  UNPUBLISHED :  ( Poetess and Aspiring Writer )

33.  Sulayman Jammeh alias Sulayman Yourhighness Jammeh : UNPUBLISHED : ( Short Story Writer,  Novelist, and Aspiring Writer )

34.  Malick MS.  Jallow alias The Jallows : UNPUBLISHED : ( Short Story Writer and Aspiring Novelist)

35.  Omar Lavali alias Dha Lavalizer: UNPUBLISHED: ( Poet, Spoken Word Artist, Actor, Youth Leader, and Aspiring Writer)

36.   Muhammed Lamin Bittaye alias Muha Poet : UNPUBLISHED:  ( Poet, Spoken Word Artist and Aspiring Writer )

37. Essa Janko : UNPUBLISHED : ( Poet, Motivational Speaker and Aspiring Writer )

38. Mustapha Sonko : UNPUBLISHED : ( Poet and Aspiring Writer )

39. Haddy Jammeh: UNPUBLISHED : ( Poetess,  Feminist, Gender Activist, Child Activist, and Aspiring Writer )

40. Sally Daffeh alias Lady Marong: UNPUBLISHED : ( Poetess and Aspiring Writer )

42.  Fatou Hydra alias Janding or Hyt: UNPUBLISHED : ( Activist, Youth Leader and Aspiring Writer )

43. Musa Bah alias The Corrector : UNPUBLISHED : ( Poet and Aspiring Writer )

44. Ya Mallen  Jagne: UNPUBLISHED : ( Writer, Feminist, Political Activist, Gender Activist, Environmental activist. Optimistic Pan-Africanist.

and Social Justice Activist )

45. Omar Dibba alias Pen Doctor . UNPUBLISHED ( prolific poet, teacher debater, youth leader and Aspiring Writer)

46. Essa Janko alias the living philosopher. UNPUBLISHED ( prolific poet, debater, teacher, youth activist and Aspiring Writer)

47. Sarjo S. Jammeh alias Siez tarrus. UNPUBLISHED ( prolific poet, teacher, youth leader and Aspiring Writer)

48. Bakary Dena Sonko. UNPUBLISHED ( prolific poet, debater, youth leader and Aspiring Writer)

49. Hawa M. Bah  alies Ba pullo. UNPUBLISHED ( poetest, teacher, athlete and Aspiring Writer)

50. Alieu Ceesay alias Alvin Ceesay. UNPUBLISHED ( poet, youth leader and Aspiring Writer)