On Thursday, 26/06/2025, GYIN Gambia in conjunction with Doorways gGmbH have successfully concluded a ten-week Personal Initiative (PI) Training Session for 30 youths selected in West Coast Region.
The Training, which was preceded by a four-day Training of 10 Trainers (ToT), was held at the GYIN Gambia Office at the Gambia-German Advisory Center for Jobs, Training and Reintegration (GGAC) in Jokor Junction, Westfield.
During the sessions, the 30 participants were divided into 3 cohorts of 10 (3 sessions per week of 3hrs each) led by a lead Trainer.
Giving a general overview of the training, Mrs Ida L.B. Ceesay, the Lead Trainer said the sessions have been successfully completed as expected, as the trainees have participated fully in doing group works, pair works, group discussions, homework presentations and giving each other constructive feedback using the “sandwich rule’.
She explained that the PI Training is very crucial in the entrepreneurship journey as it prepares entrepreneurs on the three competences namely, being self-starting, being future oriented, and being persistent in overcoming barriers.
During the training, each participant developed his/her personal project reflecting on the SMART goals they set
“Participating in the 10-week training has enabled me to do bootstrapping in minimizing cost in my business. It has also given me strength to start something on my own and to be persistent in whatever I do as a business owner.” says Aja Musu Bah, CEO of Aja Musu’s Restaurant and processing enterprise in Mandinaba, Kombo East.
She noted that she took the lessons and assignments seriously which made her to acquire adequate knowledge in elevating her business. Bootstrapping, according to her, is one of the topics that is very instrumental in helping her to manage her finances in the right way.
“Before I started the training, I was managing a mini restaurant,” she added, while enthusing that she will soon open a big restaurant serving local and continental cuisines which will be the first of its kind at her community in Mandinaba.
Commenting, Ms Bah thanked Doorways gGmbH and GYIN Gambia for their efforts in giving them the opportunity to attend the ten-week training. She further called on them to continue supporting young people with training opportunities to boost their businesses.
Also speaking, Kawsu Kinteh, the founder of King’s Fauna and Flora hailed the training sessions, noting that it has provided them with vital knowledge and information that can move their businesses to another step.
“The components that are embedded in the training are very important to us as business owners” he said.
He singled out bootstrapping as very vital in helping them to minimize the use of resources as much as possible. He also emphasized on the importance of records keeping as an element which is very vital to their businesses.
During the process of the training, according to kinteh, they have also set their realistic long-term and short-term goals which will indeed help them in achieving their ultimate goals.
While commending GYIN Gambia and Doorways gGmbH for bringing the training to their doorstep, he appealed for the provision of financial support to young upcoming businesses.
The training is funded and supported by Doorways gGmbH and being implemented by GYIN Gambia.
Doorways gGmbH is a certified provider for PI Training.