NYSS Empowers Young Tailors with New Equipment to Boost Livelihoods

By: Lamarana S. Jallow

In its continuous drive to transform the lives and livelihoods of young Gambians, the National Youth Service Scheme (NYSS), under the Ministry of Youth and Sports, has once again demonstrated its commitment to practical youth empowerment through skills development and entrepreneurship support.

With support from Qatar Charity, the Scheme recently handed over brand-new tailoring equipment to ten young men and women who completed training under the NYSS Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) Apprenticeship Programmes.

The presentation held at the NYSS headquarters brought smiles and renewed hope to the beneficiaries, young people drawn from different regions of the country. These young people have already ventured into tailoring as a means of earning a living. The equipment provided will not only strengthen their existing businesses but will also enhance their productivity and improve the quality of their services.

According to NYSS management, the initiative forms part of the Scheme’s broader strategy to bridge the gap between training and employment by providing start-up support to graduates who have shown dedication, creativity, and entrepreneurial potential.

“This initiative is about giving our youth a real chance to succeed. Many of them have completed their training with great enthusiasm, but without tools, it becomes difficult to fully utilize their skills. With Qatar Charity’s support, these young people can now grow their businesses and become job creators in their communities,” the official explained.

Beneficiaries expressed their deep appreciation to NYSS and Qatar Charity for what they described as a “life-changing opportunity.” They noted that the support would help them improve their production capacity and expand their customer base.

One of the recipients, Awa Jobe, a young tailor from the Upper River Region, said the gesture would make a huge difference in her business journey.

“After my training at NYSS, I started sewing with borrowed equipment. Now that I have my own machine, I can take more orders and even train others in my community,” she said with excitement.

The Executive Director of NYSS, Mr. Mustapha Badjie, disclosed that the partnership with Qatar Charity is a testament to the growing trust and confidence development partners have in NYSS’s youth empowerment agenda.

He added that such collaborations will continue to play a vital role in reducing youth unemployment and fostering a culture of entrepreneurship among Gambian youth.

“Our focus as a national institution is to empower young people with employable skills and support them to put those skills to use. We are grateful to Qatar Charity for joining hands with us in this noble cause,” he said.

The Scheme reaffirmed its commitment to expanding similar initiatives across different trades, including carpentry, plumbing, electrical installation, and agriculture, to ensure that every trained young person has a fair opportunity to succeed.

This latest intervention by NYSS signals a renewed era of partnership-driven youth empowerment, demonstrating how targeted investment in skills and entrepreneurship can transform lives, strengthen communities, and contribute to The Gambia’s socio-economic development.

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 By: Lamarana S. Jallow In its continuous drive to transform the lives and livelihoods of young Gambians, the National Youth…
The post NYSS Empowers Young Tailors with New Equipment to Boost Livelihoods appeared first on .