From Struggles to Strength: The Story of Bailo
𝑩𝒚: 𝑺𝒖𝒍𝒂𝒚𝒎𝒂𝒏 𝑵𝒋𝒊𝒆 (𝑺𝒐𝒍 𝑺𝒍𝒊𝒎)
From a humble family in the city, a determined student named Bailo faced the harsh realities of life. Coming from a poor background, he was a diligent learner who persevered through adversity, consistently striving to elevate himself from the lowest to the highest grades. His dreams soared high, fuelled by the hope of becoming an economist.
With unwavering dedication, Bailo sat for the WASSCE and emerged with impressive results: seven A’s and two B’s. However, his triumphs were overshadowed by financial constraints that shattered his dream, as he couldn't secure a scholarship. Watching his peers, some of whom he had helped academically, advance with scholarships due to their family influence and government connections, left him feeling discouraged and disheartened.
Bailo's experience illuminated a harsh reality: intelligence and a thirst for knowledge do not guarantee governmental support. Often, such opportunities rest in the hands of luck. No country can reach its full potential without making education appealing and accessible, especially to those eager to learn and grow.
Amid his despair, Bailo's father stepped in with timeless wisdom, reassuring him that life had its own plans. He advised Bailo to embrace the family shop as a new opportunity, sharing the insight that in life, one has to take what you have until you have what you want, because "If the available is not preferable, then the available becomes the preferable." Taking his father's words to heart, Bailo refocused his energy on the shop, utilising his mathematical acumen and business strategies.
Under Bailo’s leadership, the shop thrived, transforming the family’s financial state and opening doors for his younger siblings. Within three years, his sister, Hafsah, earned a scholarship through Women in STEM and enrolled in university—a dream Bailo had cherished. Meanwhile, his brother Mawbeh pursued civil engineering and architecture, supported by Bailo’s flourishing business.
Bailo’s business success allowed him to sponsor Mawbeh's education. As the years passed, his siblings graduated with promising futures. Bailo became a prominent wholesale supplier in Picton, while Mawbeh established a successful real estate and construction company. Hafsah graduated with top honours as a cardiac surgeon, becoming the first Gambian to work at Edward Francis Small Teaching Hospital.
Motivated by his past adversities, Bailo founded a philanthropic foundation, "Tahawal Neaw Di Dolleh yi," to support talented students from disadvantaged backgrounds. His initiative highlighted the importance of accessible education for a nation's growth. As public recognition grew, Bailo formalized his efforts into an NGO, expanding his reach and ensuring no one faced the barriers he once did.
Through these endeavours, Bailo’s story became a testament to perseverance and adaptability. It underlined the necessity for societies to make education inviting and support those striving for it, ensuring that potential is not diminished by lack of opportunity.
Moral Lesson: Heeding your parents' advice and maintaining determination in the face of obstacles can lead to unexpected success. While intelligence and ambition are vital, true progress requires societal structures that support and nurture these qualities. Commitment to education and resolute perseverance can transform personal trials into widespread triumphs, benefiting both the individual and the community. This story has revealed to us that nothing will work unless we do. As Sophocles puts it, "Without labour, nothing prospers.”
