Young Gambian writer completes two books at Writers
Residency
Tuesday, August 27, 2019
A young Gambian author, Bintou N.
Sanneh has completed a set of two books within a span of six weeks at the Ebedi
International Writers Residency programme held in Iseyin, Oyo State, Nigeria.
The young author was among one of
the selected four young female writers from different countries who
participated in the last set - June/July 2019 edition of the Ebedi
International Writers Residency in Nigeria.
Recounting her experience at the
Residency, she said the programme greatly exposed her to many new things in
terms of writing experience, culture, social life among others.
Ebedi International Writers
Residency is a private initiative programme established in 2010 to provide a
comfortable and very conducive place for writers wishing to complete their
works in progress without any cost attached to it. Doing about seven sessions a
year, the Residency offers a six-week programme for each set with full board
facility and has since its establishment hosted over hundred writers from 10
African countries, many of whom have won several local and international
literary prizes.
Ms. Sanneh who recently returned to
The Gambia said with the opportunity the Residency accorded her during the
training programme, she was able to complete two different children’s story
books namely: ‘Message To Mummy’ and ‘Why Did You Cover The Face of The
Innocent’ – a poem book.
Presently, she is working on another
book about her sojourn to Nigeria titled – A Trip to Nigeria. This book she
said will portray her experience in Nigeria as regards to Ebedi International
Writers Residency, her visits to various communities across the country, the
social life, culture and skills among others.
Still on her experience at the Ebedi
International Writers Residency, she disclosed that the programme has exposed
her into new life and culture of writing “and as well taught me a lot of things
that I have never come across.” Her other assignments at the Residency during
the period involved visiting different schools in the communities to teach the
young ones how to read and write and as well encourage them to learn the
culture of reading. Also, she met some community leaders in Iseyin, Oyo State
and in Bauchi State (in northern part of the Nigeria) where she honoured an
extended invitation to attend literary festival organised by the State National
Center for Arts and Culture.
Bintou commended the people of the
host country for their hard work and for boosting their educational system,
while applauding Ebedi International Writers Residency for a job well done
especially on their plans and readiness to partner with Writers Association of
The Gambia and National Centre for Arts and Culture for intertwined programmes.
Ms. Sanneh is a young activist,
author and a student at the University of The Gambia; she is currently the
assistant treasurer of the Writers Association of The Gambia (WAG). Her first
book that is ready for publication is titled ‘Poor African Child.’
Author: Yunus S Saliu
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