CMCFeature-Grenadian educator sows ‘seeds of curiosity, knowledge’ on mission to The Gambia

NEW YORK, CMC—A New York-based Grenadian national says she has used her maiden visit to The Gambia to “ignite young minds with the wonders of science education.

“My journey was not just about visiting schools; it was about sowing the seeds of curiosity and knowledge, knowing that education is the key to a brighter future,” Dr. Ansha Clement told the Caribbean Media Corporation (CMC).

The academic and author were among leading educators from the United States and the United Kingdom who undertook the nine-day mission, which sought, among other things, to “lay the foundation for a more educated and skilled workforce” in The Gambia.

“The schools I visited were beacons of hope amidst economic challenges,” Clement said, adding that eager faces greeted me with curiosity and enthusiasm.

She said conversations about science education flowed “effortlessly” as she shared anecdotes and insights, hoping to inspire the next generation of scientists and innovators.

“But inspiration alone is not enough; access to resources is crucial. That’s why I made it a point to donate books to various institutions, including the Teacher’s Union, Timbooktoo Bookstore, and Starfish International.

“These humble contributions aimed to support science literacy at a young age, providing students with the tools to explore and understand the world around them,” she said, noting that two individuals she met stood out as “beacons of change and influence.

“Their dedication to education and empowerment was palpable, inspiring me with their unwavering commitment to shaping a better future for their communities,” the Grenadian-born educator said.

She said one such individual was Mam-Yassin Sarr, a visionary educator “whose passion for women’s education was infectious,” adding that Mam-Yassin Sarr is the co-founder and director of Starfish International, a nonprofit organization “that seeks to advance humanity through girls’ education and service-learning opportunities in The Gambia.

“In the words of Mam-Yassin, ‘I am honored to be able to say that my academic and service life has been focused on practical ways to play my part in helping bring to fruition the idea that the world is one country and mankind and its citizens,'” Clement said.

“It was empowering to see proof of how one person can actively break barriers and pave the way for a more inclusive and equitable society,” she added.

Clement said Sanna Camara, “a trailblazer in his own right,” was another remarkable individual she had the privilege of meeting on the mission. She said he was a journalist who spent years in exile before returning to his home country.

Clement said Camara has over two decades of experience covering The Gambia as a reporter, staff writer, and editor of several publications and international outlets. He also worked as the media and senior communications officer at the Office of the President of Banjul between 2018 and 2020.

Clement said he works as an independent journalist and media consultant, “continuously covering topics from migration reporting to transitional justice in The Gambia.”

During the mission, Clement said US and UK educators visited several schools and discussed with their Gambian teacher colleagues and education officials to share observations and insights and conduct professional training for Gambian teachers.

They also held an awards ceremony at the Sir Dawda Kairaba Jawara Conference Center, toured the rich history of The Gambia, and learned about the culture, “enabling them to support their immigrant students better, especially those from West Africa.”

Clement said the delegation also visited the “home” of Kunta Kinte, a fictional character in Alex Haley’s 1976 novel Roots: The Saga of an American Family.

The free online encyclopedia Wikipedia said, “Kunta Kinte was based on one of Haley’s ancestors, a Gambian man born around 1750, enslaved, and taken to America, where he died around 1822. “Haley said that his account of Kunta’s life in Roots is a mixture of fact and fiction.”

Clement said “Baby’s First Science: ABC,” her first children’s book, was launched in Brooklyn last Christmas and was available at the Timbuktu Bookstore, the largest bookstore in The Gambia, and The National Library.

When she had the opportunity to travel to The Gambia, she said she was able to “observe and experience new educational settings, build relationships with great educators from around the world,” and create “a space” for her to be “curious, reflective, and explorative of the impact and differences” that she can make “globally, specifically in the Caribbean.”

Clement, who earned her Doctor of Education (Ed. D) in organizational leadership, with an emphasis on organizational development, from Grand Canyon University, said the mission helped her better “develop an understanding of goals for educational systems and the best ways for expansion and growth within systems but also within stakeholders of those educational systems.”

In addition, she said the trip helped her to “exhibit integrity, develop specificity behind visions, and be compassionate to inspire all stakeholders.”

She said it was her “first step to making systemic change globally, socially and culturally,” stating that a transformational leader has to be “self-aware, authentic, able to collaborate (and) build networks to influence positive change.”

“As I bid farewell to The Gambia, I carried with me memories of smiles and laughter, eyes alight with curiosity and hope, and the humbling experiences of the origins of the slave trade from visiting Kunta Kinteh Island and Jufureh Island.

“My journey was a reminder that the power of education knows no bounds and that, by investing in the minds of tomorrow, we can create a brighter and more prosperous future for all,” she added. “I take these experiences back to my home country of Grenada, Carriacou, and Petite Martinique as a global agent for change.”