Bijilo, The Gambia – September 25, 2024 – GYIN Gambia Chapter is proud to continue its partnership with the Work and Study Abroad Program (ASA) in Germany, welcoming two new interns for three months from September to December 2024. ASA is an organization that sends young people abroad to participate in sustainable projects, fostering international cooperation and development. This collaboration, which commenced in 2018, strengthens GYIN Gambia’s global partnerships. As Jainaba Njie, Programme Officer of GYIN, states, “Our experiences with the ASA programme have been nothing short of exceptional. We’re confident that this partnership will continue to yield positive outcomes for all involved.”
At the official orientation, Mamadou Edrisa Njie, Executive Director of GYIN Gambia Chapter, warmly welcomed the incoming interns: “We at GYIN Gambia are thrilled to welcome you. Your choice to join us is a testament to the impact we strive to make in our community.” Mr. Njie went on to emphasize the enduring influence of the ASA internship programme, expressing gratitude to Engagement Global gGmbH for their continued recognition of GYIN Gambia as a valuable partner. He proudly noted that many former interns maintain active involvement with the organization, driving new initiatives and fostering international collaborations. These lasting connections, Mr. Njie explained, have significantly bolstered GYIN’s capacity to support Gambian youth and have led to the development of innovative projects and cross-border partnerships.
The new ASA interns, Anna Lena Menne and Derya Soytut, young professionals and students with diverse expertise in the fields of communications and social work, will support GYIN Gambia during their stay. The young professionals will help advance GYIN’s mission by contributing to empowering young adults by providing them with socio-economic and cultural opportunities that enable them to transform their communities. The new interns shared their enthusiasm for working with GYIN Gambia, learning about Gambian culture, and contributing to the organization’s efforts to support youth in agribusiness and entrepreneurship.
Derya Soytut shared her excitement, stating, “We are grateful for all the experiences we’ve had so far and eagerly look forward to connecting with our cooperation partners and the Gambian society, continuing the meaningful work here.”
Anna Lena Menne added, “Thank you for welcoming us with open arms and for your openness and faith in our potential. While we had the privilege of choosing your organization, you extended your trust to us sight unseen. We will make sure to support GYIN in its mission to the best of our abilities.”
This partnership, fostering exchange from Germany to The Gambia, is expected to bring new perspectives and valuable contributions to GYIN Gambia’s work, fostering further collaboration and continued growth in the field of youth development.
[Note: The accompanying image features Anna Lena Menne.]