At the helm of the Wisconsin Gambia Association are dedicated individuals, each playing a crucial role in shaping its destiny. Pictured L-R: Modou Jallow, vice president; Bakary Sanneh, president; Lamin Jadama, secretary general; Matthew Jarju, assistant secretary general and Jorbateh Fofana, assistant treasurer, who form a dynamic leadership team committed to the association’s success.
Building a community, bridging cultures and cultivating leaders
By Lauri Lee
Northside News
Nestled within the neighborhoods of Madison’s Northside and Sun Prairie, an immigrant community is working collaboratively to create a stronger community for their people and to sow the seeds of a brighter future for the youth. The Wisconsin Gambia Association, formed in early 2020, stands as evidence to the power of unity and a shared vision for a better community.
Gambians who emigrated to Greater Madison over the past decades have been attracted by friends and other family members to make this region their permanent residence. Since the 1970s, about 8,000 Gambians have emigrated to the US from the Gambia (Source: Wikipedia), a country in western Africa situated on the Atlantic coast. Roughly 10% of the immigrants live on Madison’s Northside and in Sun Prairie.
Gambian immigrants settled in Greater Madison for various reasons, from economic opportunities and safety to the family-friendly atmosphere and the allure of affordable living when compared to other major US cities. As they planted roots in this region, the Gambian community recognized the need to establish an association to ensure mutual support and cohesion.
With 375 members in their organization, which includes roughly 150-200 Gambians living on the Northside, this association has become a platform for collaboration, community work and shared growth that fosters community spirit and provides support in times of need.
Focused on community work on the Northside and in Sun Prairie, the association’s initiatives include instilling important values in the younger generation and creating role models for tomorrow. Their overarching goal is to train youth and young adults to stay away from societal problems with truancy, alcohol, drugs and guns. The intention of Gambian leaders is to teach cultural values and important fundamentals to their children to instill the important values of working hard, being honest and playing by the rules. They want to train youth to be productive members of society, as well as growing young people to take over the organization for the next generation. The association’s objectives go beyond the immediate Gambian community, aiming to make a positive impact on all youth in our community.
With an eye on the future, the Wisconsin Gambia Association has set ambitious goals. They aspire to be an umbrella association that unites Gambians under a common purpose. Their constitution guides their focus, emphasizing the importance of training youth to be strong leaders and productive members of society.
In the spirit of unity, the Gambia Association avoids discussions on divisive topics like politics and religion. Instead, they focus on fostering a sense of community through events such as annual community gatherings every August. These events, filled with games, music and shared meals, serve as an open invitation to join the Wisconsin Gambia Association.
To achieve these goals, the association is developing a mentorship program for youth and kids, scheduled for implementation in 2024. This program will educate the younger generation about Gambian culture, instill leadership skills, and foster character development, creating responsible and engaged members of the community.
Recognizing the need for a permanent space to showcase Gambian culture, the association envisions a Gambian Center, preferably on Madison’s Northside. They hold a vision for a space that encompasses various activities, from youth mentorship and childcare to fitness programs and cultural displays. To get the ball rolling on the project, a dedicated team of grant writers are pursuing funding, while others are working on a business plan.
The Gambia Association members have actively contributed to the vision, raising $45,000 since January 2022 through regular monthly contributions and membership fees. Fundraisers are a part of the future strategy to fund the ambitious Gambian Center project. The association is now opening the opportunity to make donations from the public to help turn this dream into reality.
As a community-driven association, they have also demonstrated their commitment to global well-being. Members actively look for medical supplies to send back to The Gambia and encourage blood donations within Greater Madison.
In the Wisconsin Gambia Association, the vision is clear: build a community that not only thrives today but paves the way for a brighter tomorrow. Through collaboration, contributions and shared values, they aim to make a lasting impact, transforming not just their community but also the perceptions surrounding the largest African immigrant community in Greater Madison. To contact Wisconsin Gambia Association go to wgambiaassoc.1@gmail.com.