By Sainabou Sambou
Isatou Jallow, the driving force behind the Jollof Care Centre, is making significant strides in rehabilitating and reintegrating ex-prisoners and migrant returnees into society. Established in December 2023, the charity foundation is dedicated to equipping these individuals with essential skills and providing vital mental health support.
In an insightful conversation with The Alkamba Times, Ms. Jallow discussed the impact of her work. She highlighted the center’s role in facilitating inmate participation from Mile 2 Central Prison at the recently concluded Banjul International Trade Fair.
This event at the Independence Stadium in Bakau allowed inmates to engage with the community and showcase their potential.
A key development for the Jollof Care Centre has been signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Gambia Prison Services, supported by the Ministry of Interior. The agreement streamlines the foundation’s contact with ex-prisoners, allowing it to enroll them effectively in various Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) centers.
Furthering her mission, Ms. Jallow has also established an MoU with the National Youth Service Scheme (NYSS), designed to provide ex-prisoners with opportunities to learn valuable skills through NYSS programs and foster their journey towards successful reintegration and self-sufficiency.
Through these strategic collaborations and her unwavering commitment, Isatou Jallow is paving the way for meaningful change, offering hope and new beginnings to those seeking a fresh start.
Isatou Jallow’s mission through the Jollof Care Centre has already shown tangible results. “We have six ex-prisoners at the NYSS, and currently, some are studying plumbing and tailoring, auto mechanics, and carpentry, and one is at the college pursuing Early Childhood Development (ECD). This January, we are expecting to have about 20 inmates from Mile 2,” she stated.
Ms. Jallow is passionate about changing societal perceptions. “I want to change the mentality of Gambians, the way they judge people that were sent to jail, labeling them as criminals without being proven by any court that they are guilty of the crimes they were accused of. Going to prison does not mean that you are a bad person; it’s all because of a reason, and people should stop judging each other,” she emphasized.
Despite her dedication, Ms. Jallow faces numerous challenges, particularly financial ones. “I encountered some challenges when some people told me that I was wasting my time and resources on criminals, but one thing about me is that I go for what I want, and I use that negative feedback to uplift myself,” she explained.
The impact of the Jollof Care Centre is evident in the stories of those it supports. Penda, not her real name, is an ex-prisoner who spent four years in Mile 2 prison. In an interview with The Alkamba Times, she shared her experience. While incarcerated, she learned skills such as tailoring and crocheting, which are crucial for her reintegration into society.
Penda, a hairdresser before her incarceration, used her skills while in prison, styling fellow inmates’ hair during festive occasions like Eid. She charged between D100 and D150 for her services, saving the money with prison officers. With her earnings, she could purchase an Eid outfit for her father each year during her four-year sentence.
She is now looking forward to starting a tailoring program in January through the Jollof Care Centre, an organization dedicated to helping ex-prisoners acquire new skills and find employment.
Penda recounted meeting the CEO of the Jollof Care Centre during a visit to Mile 2 prison on Tobaski day. They exchanged contact information. Upon her release, Penda contacted the CEO, who assisted her in finding a job as a maid. She expressed gratitude for the kindness and acceptance she received from her employers, who treated her like family.
Similarly, another ex-prisoner, Oumie, also met the CEO of the Jollof Care Centre during a prison visit and took her contact details. Oumie shares Penda’s enthusiasm for beginning a tailoring course this January.
After completing her program, Oumie expressed her aspirations to open a tailoring shop and employ young people. Reflecting on her time in Mile 2 prison, where she spent one month and three days, she shared the challenges she faced upon her release. She described feeling disheartened by the judgment she encountered from others, which made leaving her home a difficult experience. Despite these challenges, she remains focused on her goals and the positive path ahead.
