Written by Fatou Hydara, people and places local partner in The Gambia

To tell you a little about myself, my name is Fatou Hydara, I was born in Essau village in the North Bank region of The Gambia, completed my primary education at Essau Lower Basic School then went on to Berending Upper Basic School, 10km from her home, completed high school at Essau senior secondary school. Throughout my education I undertook extra-curricular activities, including awareness-raising groups including peer health education.

 After completing high school, I was unable fulfil my dream of attending university due to financial limitations. However, I was keen to continue my education and completed a Diploma in Information Technology. I then travelled to Lebanon in the hope of obtaining a well-paid job, however this never materialised and I found myself forced to work as a housemaid for three years. Having no access to my passport, and limited communications and basic wages, I was trapped. Eventually, as a result of determination and persistence, and with the assistance of National Agency Against Trafficking in Persons (NAATIP) I left Lebanon and returned to The Gambia. When I came back from Lebanon, I tried to study a diploma in Business Management and Human Resource Management to develop myself. 

In 2021, I became involved in the No Woman Left Behind project as one of the initial catering students, completing a twelve-month programme for Culinary Art (Cookery, Pastry & Food Processing) Level 1 at the Institute of Travel & Tourism of The Gambia (ITTOG). Following this, in 2023, I completed a second nine-month course in Basic Business and IT Skills at ITTOG. I had previously attempted to run my own cosmetics and tailoring business, but struggled to succeed due to my lack of necessary skills. Completion of the course at ITTOG equipped me with a wider range of skills, and this has led to my involvement in the management of the NWLB project, becoming President in 2022 and leading the project as the local Gambian partner of People & Places. While working as a local partner I was studying Amadeus booking system and completed with best student of my class in 2024.

My work as a local partner for people and places in The Gambia, where I play a key role in supporting international volunteers throughout their placement experience. My work focuses on building strong partnerships between local communities and volunteers to ensure meaningful, ethical, and culturally respectful engagement.

My work begins long before volunteers arrive. I personally meet each volunteer online for an introduction, where we connect, discuss expectations, and begin building a relationship. We exchange emails and phone numbers so they feel supported, informed, and reassured before traveling. I understand that coming to a new country can feel overwhelming, so I make it my priority to ensure every volunteer feels welcomed even before they step on the plane.

However, the moment that brings me the greatest joy is meeting them at the airport for the very first time. Seeing their excitement, nervousness, and curiosity and being the first friendly face, they meet in The Gambia is the most rewarding part of my work. That first greeting sets the tone for their entire journey. From that moment, they are not just visitors; they become part of our community.

In this role, I support volunteers during their stay, coordinating community projects, cultural exchange and meeting new people, seeing positive change in local schools, clinics, or communities. I oversee volunteer orientation, and ensure that all activities align with local needs. I work closely with, schools, accommodation owners, and project coordinators to create safe, impactful, and well-organized placements.

I am passionate about sustainable development, cultural exchange, and responsible tourism. I believe that volunteer programs should empower communities, promote mutual learning, and create long-term positive impact. My commitment is to ensure that every volunteer experience contributes meaningfully to the community while also providing personal growth and cross-cultural understanding.

Through dedication, strong communication, and careful coordination, I strive to create transformative experiences for both volunteers and the communities we serve.