Rising Together: Baboucar's Journey and Barra's Rebirth

The salty breeze off the River Gambia carries the sound of hammering and the buzz of saws through the streets of Barra. This small ferry town, once known primarily as a waypoint for those leaving The Gambia in search of opportunity, is now humming with a new energy. At the heart of this transformation is a story that began with one young man's journey and has grown into a community-wide renaissance.

In 2016, Baboucar Saho was just another face in the crowd of young Gambians boarding rickety boats bound for Europe. 

"I remember the day Baboucar left," recalls Modou Touray, 62, a village elder. "The air was heavy with desperation. So many of our young people were leaving, taking our future with them."

 

Like many others, Baboucar's journey ended abruptly on the shores of Libya. But his return to Barra in July 2017 marked the beginning of a new chapter, not just for him but for the entire community.

"When I came back, I felt like a failure," Baboucar admits, his eyes reflecting the memory of those dark days. "But the International Organization for Migration (IOM) showed me that my journey wasn't over – it was just beginning."

Through IOM's reintegration program, Baboucar was connected with the Youth Empowerment Project (YEP), a joint initiative of the International Trade Centre (ITC) and the Gambian government. In September 2017, he received a life-changing scholarship to pursue chef training.

Baboucarr Sallah, ITC's head in The Gambia, explains the project's approach: "We don't just provide training. We create a support system that allows young people to dream big and achieve those dreams right here at home."

As Baboucar threw himself into his studies, something unexpected began to happen. His determination and growing success changed how Barra's youth viewed their futures.

Fatou Darboe, 19, enrolled in a YEP-sponsored tailoring program in 2019. "Seeing Baboucar succeed made me think, 'Why not me?'" she says, her fingers deftly guiding fabric through a sewing machine. "Now, I'm not just learning a trade. I'm building a business."

The impact of these programs is tangible. Amadou Jallow, owner of Barra's largest grocery store, has witnessed this transformation firsthand. "Five years ago, I struggled to find qualified staff," he says, gesturing to his bustling shop. "Now, I have young people with real skills applying for jobs. It's changing how we do business."

But the change goes beyond economics. As more youth find purpose and opportunity at home, Barra's social fabric is strengthening.

Isatou Njie, a teacher at Barra's secondary school, notes a shift in her students' attitudes. "Before, when I asked about their dreams, so many talked about leaving," she says. "Now, they talk about building businesses and improving our community. It's like a weight has been lifted off their shoulders."

This renewed sense of possibility is reflected in the town itself. New shops line the main street, their fresh paint a stark contrast to the faded buildings around them. A community centre, funded partly by successful YEP graduates, offers classes and workspace for budding entrepreneurs.

Baboucar, now head chef at a popular restaurant in Banjul, returns to Barra regularly to mentor young people. "Success means nothing if you can't share it," he says, addressing a group of eager faces at the community centre. "Each of you has the power to lift this community. I'm living proof of that."

The ripple effect of Baboucar's journey and the UN interventions that supported him continues to expand. In 2022, Barra was selected as a pilot site for a new ITC initiative to develop sustainable tourism along the River Gambia.

"Five years ago, this opportunity would have seemed impossible," says Modou Touray, the village elder. "Now, it feels like the natural next step in our community's growth."

As the sun sets over the river, casting a golden glow on Barra's transformed streets, laughter drifts from a new café. Inside, a mix of locals and the town's first trickle of international tourists share meals and stories.

Fatou Darboe, taking a break from her sewing, sips a coffee and reflects on her community's journey. "Baboucar showed us what was possible," she says. "But it's all of us, working together and believing in our future here, that's truly transforming Barra."

She pauses, her gaze drifting to a group of children playing outside. "Who knows? Maybe one of them will be the next to inspire us all," she smiles. "That's the beautiful thing about hope – it grows."

The story of Barra's transformation is a powerful testament to the far-reaching impact of targeted UN interventions. By investing in one young person's potential, programs like IOM's reintegration support and YEP's training initiatives have sparked a wave of change that continues to lift an entire community. In the faces of Barra's youth, once shadowed by uncertainty, now shines the light of possibility – a light that promises to guide The Gambia towards a brighter future.

*Except for Baboucarr Saho and Baboucarr Sallah, all names in this story have been anonymised.