*

**GRTS: Hello Fatou. How are you ? Welcome to GRTS International. It is an
honor to have you here
today to share your thoughts on some issues. Let’s go straight to the di**s*
*cussion. What brought
you to journalism?
*FatouJM: Thank you Mr. Sillah and my pleasure and honor to be with you here
too. Well, Letters to the editor brought
me to journalism.  I sent so many letters to the Observer Editor then that
the publisher invited me over for a chat and
asked me to join the paper.

*GRTS: Where did you start your journalism career?
*FatouJM: Daily Observer, Gambia

*GRTS: How was it like working for the Observer?
*FatouJM: Great publisher, great editors and great staff.

*GRTS: You got arrested in 2007. Where you told what crime you have
committed after your arrest?
*FatouJM: I was arrested and then they scrambled to find something to pin on
me. Endless Interrogations
ensued and my commentaries got dug out.

*GRTS: Why did you continue journalism after your release?
*FatouJM: Why not? I will continue to write my opinions as long as a medium
is available to carry it.

*GRTS: While in detention were you subjected to torture.
*FatouJM: No. Apart from swarms of mosquitoes. Hard floors,  bad toilets and
bathrooms and dilapidated conditions.
Nope.If i were physically tortured the whole world would know

*GRTS: Who were these guys at the NIA?
*FatouJM: Well they are your typical Gambian men and women. They speak
wolof, mandinka, fula nad Jola. And at the
time of my arrest, they were a little weary I guess that at any moment most
of them are pondering that their turn can
come up soon. Or they might be pretending. I don’t know. But they were
cautious and curious but also under pressure
to deliver. Most of them left, got fired and got arrested though within a
year of my trial in that particular department. And
I guess the head of that department is still in detention on some corruption
charges as we speak I believe.

*GRTS: Did you at anytime time while in detention ever thought that you
would be killed?
*FatouJM: I was not sure. If I were going to get killed I thought, It was
going to be that maybe rot or poisoned in jail I was
thinking.

*GRTS: How was life in Senegal?
*FatouJM: Life in Senegal was great. Great family, great friends and great
atmosphere

*GRTS: How do you see the media atmosphere in the Gambia?
*FatouJM: Difficult.  I do not know how Gambian journalists do it. The
scarce resources, the heat and the stress is
overwhelming.

*GRTS: The Gambia government has always argued that it is clamping on the
media in the interest
of peace and stability. Do you think that is the case?
*FatouJM: That is rubbish. If there is any threat to the government or
Gambians, it is the APRC government  itself.
Journalist are not killing, arresting or torturing other journalists or
 gambians. Peace and stability? The  Jammeh
government is not  giving or creating any peace and stability. It is
Gambians who are trying hard to work around
government terror. Just as Ousainu Mbenga neatly puts it:  managing our
misery. Journalists in the Gambia, have no
other choice but to take a stance that might be seen apolitical especially
when the wrath of the government fell mostly
on them. Do   journalists just have to sit back and just write about nice
things that don’t happen? Especially when we
have 2 journalists already shot under mysterious circumstances? Chief Manneh
 missing and the majority in exile?

*GRTS: How will you classify President Jammeh, a friend or enemy of free
press?
*FatouJM: Big enemy of the press.

*GRTS: Do you think the Gambian media is seriously playing its role?
*FatouJM: It is, and under dangerous and dire conditions. Very difficult to
be a journalist in the Gambia.
Journalists are a set of Gambians who don’t mince words with Yaya Jammeh.
They say it as it is and will defend
themselves and their colleagues at the expense of their families and life.
They are one group of Gambians who are very
alert, fearless and supportive to their cause. Their support is very firm on
the ground and in the diaspora in as much as
dangerous as the situation is. If more Gambians guard their rights as
journalists do, Jammeh will be history. You see we
are still haggling and demanding that Chief Ebrima Manneh get released

*GRTS: What do you think is the way forward for the Gambian media?
*FatouJM: Well they are persevering so they need all the support we can give
or they can get. It is only determination,
dedication and love of their work that is keeping Gambian journalism alive.
It is difficult.  For real. So we can only cheer
up those who choose to stay on. It is tough.

*GRTS: So tell us a bit about yourself including your Nyancho heritage.
*Well again am Fatou from Sukuta/Foni Bulock. Gambia. Well well I heard
there are no nyanchos anymore but I
disagree. I am a 21st century Nyancho which is a mano/mono/attaya  nyancho.
No? My grandpa on my father’s side,
Musa Manneh hails from Kaabu, Kansala/Sooma Kunda in Guinea Bissau and my
grandpa on my Mum’s side Ousman
Jallow is coming from Timbi ,Guinea Conakry. My great Grandpa on my Mum’s
side is a Saine from Sine, Senegal. My
great grandma is born and bred Sukutarian.

*GRTS: The hospitality of Gambians is legendary amongst many visitors to the
country, however,
with the fear instilled atmosphere the leader of the APRC regime brought
with him, do you think,
Gambians embrace advocates of human rights defenders?
*FatouJM: Gambians really do appreciate the work of human rights defenders,
but just as anything that has to do with
questioning Jammeh’s authority, the majority of Gambians don’t want to deal
with that. Oh no. But we are trying.
Especially with Amnesty harping on the terrible human rights situation,
Gambians are buckling up a bit

*GRTS: In your case, what is your personal story in this matter for our
benefit as critics and
participants in the media and political dialogue?
*FatouJM: Well I am not going to discourage anyone from taking a stance on
issues at home, but we have to understand
the environment we work in. We will say everything that is going to be said
but we practically don’t do anything about it.
We think Gambians on the ground are not doing enough on the ground to
initiate any meaningful change and
Gambians on the ground think we in the Diaspora are all talk and no action
too. But the fact is In general, Gambians
don’t want to sacrifice anything for political liberation, not a job much
more a limb. You see how they get humiliated
before they can call it quits?

*GRTS: The contrasting experience from Gambians during your protracted
trial? Did people openly
embrace the collective struggle?
*FatouJM:  “The collective sympathy” was there but not the collective
struggle. Gambians do not openly criticize or
embrace anything against Jammeh. But they truly wish God can send some
commandos to oust him as soon possible.
For real.

*GRTS: What do you believe are the best or proper ways for uniting the
hearts of Gambians towards
a united front against the weight of the state machinery?
*FatouJM:  There is enough resentment against the weight of the state
machinery, but not a single practical measure to
throw off the yoke. Again Mr. Sillah. Who is going to bell the Cat? Who is
going to come out in the streets and say
enough is enough. Jammeh bring back, Femi Peters, Kanyiba Kanyi,Chief Ebrima
 Manneh and countless others
languishing in jail .Enough of you!! What Gambian or groups of Gambians are
going to or are willing to do that? Even
with the Diasporans, the keyboard cannot be the  only tool to make our
dissatisfaction clear. We have to take days off
from work from California to Australia and work on issues that we believe
are for our national interest. We have to be
proactive. Not just wait until Jammeh pounces on someone before we do
something or nothing at all.
Gambians need to stop castigating and belittling each other. We have to
Compliment each other’s efforts and make a
difference. Even those who support Jammeh should have to be bold enough and
let him know when enough is enough.
Give him guidance if possible. But from either front there has to be people
who are dedicated to the general welfare of
the population and the country. And have the courage to say NO!!But for now,
he is enjoying his vampire behavior.
Plucking on citizens at random on the flimsiest of charges. 2.5 million Of
us and all We  do is just sulk and sulk until he
gets to the next group.

*So what do you think of the opposition. Can they have any breakthrough?

*FatouJM: They should be given credit for standing up to Jammeh. I don’t
know how they do it in the Gambia with the
current intolerant situation. A breakthrough am not sure because the
opposition cannot be more divided. We do not
see in them visionary leaders who can put their differences  aside and come
together for the betterment of Gambia.
They are all lone rangers which make their efforts at the end of the day
worthless and Jammeh knows this so their
division is Jammeh’s victory. For sure.Can you imagine? Femi Peters is
languishing in Jail, Kanyiba Kanyi and many
other political victims. What is the opposition collectively doing about
this? Unbelievable can you imagine what Femi and
the kanyibas are going through? Unbelievable!!

*GRTS: With reference to a Poem you wrote not long ago, one can feel the
urgency in the your tune
that, the factionalism and divisions culminated by feeble differences is
something you greatly
detest, what positive ways can we bridge the gaps we found in our midst due
to accidental
circumstances?
*FatouJM:  We have to learn to embrace and respect each other’s perspective
.Sitting behind the keyboard ,We tend to
be overly sensitive and less accommodating for each other’s point of view
and discussions easily turn personal and
sour. It is unbelievable what some of these guys when upset will do or say.
Jammeh and the internet have really brought
the worst in us. The hate is Unbelievable. And mostly is due to
misconceptions and perceptions. We cannot force our
thoughts on each others or on people. All we can do is enjoy the diversity
of ideas, share and move on. We do not
even have to read people whom we do not share opinion as simple as that. It
has to be live and let live.

*GRTS: Keen observers of Diaspora Gambian organizations tend to see a wide
gap between
different movements. How can Gambians Diaspora groups like the STDGP for
instance attract more
Diaspora organizations to get involved in their activities instead of just
targeting individual
Gambians?
*FatouJM:  Good observations. It doesn’t matter how many organizations we
have in the Diaspora. What is important is
the urge and readiness to make a difference. STGDP is not a private club. It
is all volunteerism. It has been calling on
Gambians for the longest time to come join the organization. Why wait for
STGDP to call on any organization? It is the
same way that any organization can reach out to STGDP and say, we either
want to join you as one or we want to work
independently with you on so and so issues. It does not have to even be on
political matters but on anything that affects
or will benefit our society or wellbeing. STGDP does not target any
particular individual or set of individuals. So please
let us put aside our misperceptions and either join STGDP, or any group for
that matter and set up goals and work on
issues that we share and tolerate those that we do not share objectives.
Individuals and other organizations can work
with STGDP at anytime and on any issue that they share interest. Does not
matter what political or group affiliation. It is
just a nonprofit group that promotes democracy. That is all. So I think
anyone can join STGDP or form your own
organization and work with them.

*GRTS: Without exaggerating, one can say with full authority that, Fatou Jaw
Manneh is a well
known personality in the media and political front, however, what many also
know is that, Fatou is
also a mother, sister and admirer to many. Do you think the sacrifice is
worth it, considering that,
those inconvenient by Yahya Jammeh may be losing when place in a wider
bracket? How do you
juggle all?
*FatouJM:  As I said earlier, I will not discourage anyone to work for or
against tyranny in the Gambia. At the end of the
day, that will be a personal choice. But whoever joins or speaks out should
not base his or her hopes on fellow
Gambians coming out in the open to sacrifice anything to liberate our
country. And the irony is that without sacrifice
liberation is not possible. So that is why Gambians have a problem in
getting rid of the Jammeh problem. That is the
stark reality. So whoever chooses to confront Jammeh should know that at the
end of the day, you will be left with the
snake’s head in your hands as the mandinkas will say.

*GRTS: The vast majority of Gambians are quietly accepting the tyranny and
status quo, should few
people take on the system at the expense of their safety and personal
interest to the Gambia?
*FatouJM:  Well that is the reality. It comes to personal choice. Majority
of Gambians do not like Jammeh at all but please
do not ask them for help. Actually they will give you to the crocodile fast.
Ninety –nine percent of Gambians can make
Jammeh their Lord if they please. That is their prerogative I for now belong
to the one percent of the Gambians who
think Jammeh is just a knuckle head whom Gambians mistake for a prophet and
you know now after my trial my issues
with his government becomes personal. I will not rest until Jammeh is out of
sight or until Jammeh turns around the
political situation in the country. With his paranoia and selfishness I
doubt that will happen. So for some of us, the
struggle continues. I am saddened, baffled and embarrassed by the
indifference of my countrymen and women, but
hey, we all have different opinions about different things. If the majority
of Gambians are rallying behind Jammeh who
am I to question their stance. That is their prerogative just as it is my
right to speak out against the tyranny and the
broken system and terror that he unleashes on us. I get all these private
messages about why and what so so and so
cannot do about so and so. Who does not have family living in the Gambia or
working for the government? So let us
enjoy “our Jammeh problem” because it is not going to go anywhere when we
all have a million excuses as to why we
cannot get rid of him. What is the point of complaining then?

*GRTS: Regular writers and commentators to wider issues affecting the Gambia
are advised by
relatives and love ones to stay silent like the vast majority. The rational
being, if others are quiet
why should you bother? Any response to these kinds of sentiments? Has anyone
made this kind
of statement to you personally?
*FatouJM: Yes. It was tough. I heard worse. My immediate family thinks I am
the most ignorant Gambian ever. Open your
eyes they say. Where is the rest of the family? People are laughing at you.
Look around blah blah. Where are your
mentors? Where are your friends? Who are you doing it for? And some will
come to me with shocking news. They will
say, “It is floating around town that you are a criminal, that you are a
lesbian, that you are insane. That you should be
watched. You guys wanted a takeover or overhaul of government. Whatever will
bring you down Gambians will try to
drill it in your head or in the air. So you have to be equally strong, take
a step back, assess the situation and know what
and  how you play. Disappointment and betrayal is what is killing most of
these people who get fired and arrested. Not
only what the State does to you, but Gambians in a panic moment, what they
will do to you or say to you is also
unbelievable. An eye opener for real. I understand why Lang Tombong was
crying in the dock!! At this moment
allegations and slander of all kinds will be flying on his character. Name
it I have heard it but does it deter me? Nope.
When I believe Jammeh is on the right course or for the Gambia, I will
acknowledge it and rally behind him as   the
leader. It comes to personal choice. I will do what I feel or think is
right. Anyone can do whatever they please according
to their  beliefs. No?

*GRTS: Why do you have to go to the Gambia, in the first place when you know
you are wanted?
*FatouJM: Why not? I was a bit naïve and I lost a very important person in
my life, my Dad, In that moment I felt like I
have to GO. But let me make it clear. Jammeh will not stop me from going
back to the Gambia. He is the alien and not
me. I am very Gambian and will visit my country anytime I please. And I
promise next time I visit the  Gambia, the fight
will be different.yep

*GRTS: Your lawyer Mr. Lamin Jobarteh. Tell us about him. Why did you choose
him to represent
you in court?
*FatouJM: Well Mr Jobarteh was secured as my lawyer whilst I was in
detention by my nephew, OJ Halipha and friends. I
have never seen or known him before and I think he did his best under the
circumstances almost pro-bono. I can only
thank him.

*GRTS: We are told that Amadou Samba is your friend and he never gave you
clearance to go to the
Gambia this time around. Is that true?
*FatouJM: Well I know Amadou but not to a level where we even discuss
politics or  APRC or my private travel plans. He
never knew I was coming to the Gambia anyway. So that is not true.

*GRTS: What is the role of Maafanta in engaging the sisters towards a more
active participation in
national dialogue?
*FatouJM:  Well Maafanta is open to all and sundry. Sisters can contribute
as they see fit. It is not going to come fast.
Women in general are not initially too excited about certain projects and
newspaper exposure for that matter. We go
slowly. And with all the hate and castigations on the internet women really
drag their feet. I receive great ideas from
women in private who do not want to comment on so and so issue because of
myriads of reasons. We will carry on and
anyone is welcome at anytime. Many will share in public whenever they are
comfortable. But it can be difficult and
frustrating when I receive a whole page, of interesting points from sisters
but begging not to be published. They share a
lot in private but I don’t know why they can’t share online. We are more
sensitive. Again it’s their choice and we have to
respect that. But if time permits, Maafanta has Aisha, Jabou and Carrie who
share their thoughts on issues once in a
while.

*GRTS: What is your opinion about a popular topic on Maafanta:
Polygamy?Laughter
*FatouJM: Laughter.Poligamy is an interesting topic on Maafanta really.
Sensitive but really fun. I come from a
polygamous family. My Dad had 4 wives. My Mum is second wife. What I
advocated against was that polygamy should
not be encouraged in the west. Men should give their women in America or
Germany a break from the stress that
comes from polygamous relationships. Our mothers use to manage it fairly
well or pretend to, but even then it is just a
volcano always swelling, covered with fake smiles and all that, and then
women were not too independent, financially or
education wise. So they do not have obligatory engagements outside the
marriage. Their focus was all on marriage and
children
Our fathers used to show up with news of marrying other women, but how can
you live with your wife in Texas, who
happens to be a doctor ,lawyer,  or accounts executive and announce that
you‘ve taken a second wife. Life in the west
is hectic enough to add all the hatefulness and scorn that comes with
multiple marriages. So I think men should save us
all the trouble and not import this polygamy baggage? It is even unlawful in
the west. So it is better for us all if they can
keep polygamous practice buried in Sarreh Gainako? Or Kombo Sukuta. Or
Diabugu. Please

*GRTS: The discussions at some point were sensitive and misunderstood. Why
so? Is the purpose
of Maafanta misunderstood?
*FatouJM: Oh yes. Maafanta did not just discuss recipes, dish washing
liquids, cookery or fashion. We took issues head
on and I think it was a bit of shock on some audience so slander began. Yep,
When Maafanta first started the polygamy
discussion, we were labeled, I in particular of being antiman, lesbian, anti
Islamic and so many other things. The label
and slander is for the haters to enjoy, but Maafanta is just a forum where
we are trying to encourage Gambians
especially women to come and discuss issues affecting them, be it
family/marriages, politics, health and other issues
that are important to us. And I guess because it is the first on-line forum
manned by women, the threat then becomes
obvious I guess.

*GRTS: Why the negativity? Gambia is small and those who know you know you.
*FatouJM: We are used to women discussing cookery, fashion and
breastfeeding? So for us to come and take issues
head on was not only really exciting but also I guess irritating to some who
expect for us to behave otherwise. But our
pattern and issues along the way will really show who we are and where we
are going and I cannot thank a lot of
Gambians, brothers in general for all the support and ideas. Those who write
to us in public and private supporting our
cause. The support is overwhelming. It is really encouraging. Thank God all
the women at Maafanta don’t mince their
words on their opinions and thoughts either. So slow but sure, we are
getting there. Maafanta should not be threat. And
slander will not deter us. We are building up crocodile skin!! We are just
spicing up Gambian on-line discussions. That’s
all.

*GRTS: Who are your heroes? Who do you look up to or emulate?
*FatouJM: Oh, They are many. But to name a few: My Dad for his courage,
bravery and saying his  truth when
necessary and generosity to people. Give and Give and give was his mantra.
He was very religious and understands
and recognizes no other God but Allah. My Mum for her plainness, modesty and
patience. Nelson Mandela  for his lack
of greed, righteousness, bravery, patience and perseverance. Can you imagine
how different Mandela is from all other
African leaders? He would have demanded to be president for life since he
spent like 27 yrs in prison. Can you
imagine? But he just played his part in rectifying the flawed system he
found himself in and moved on. And gave chance
to others. That is what you call patriotism, dignity and integrity. Winnie
Mandela for her bravery and being true to
herself. She does not mince her words. Eleanor Roosevelt- this was one woman
who could have enjoyed all the
privileges that life had to offer. She was related to 2 American presidents,
one was her uncle the other her husband.
Instead she used her education and wealth to empower and educate the poor,
work hard to cement the democratic
principles that she sternly believe is the right way to steer world affairs,
through her tenure as US/UN representative,
her family influence and her role as first lady. Never read about a
privileged woman so dedicated to improving human
affairs than Eleanor Roosevelt. Hillary Clinton for her brilliance,
tenacity, combativeness and holding her foot down
even when the powers of adversary are overwhelming beyond comprehension. I
read about these people and their
work and efforts and they inspire me to do good and that at the end, truth
prevails.

*GRTS: You always look healthy, elegant and beautiful, how does Fatou relax
to remain eternally
young?
*FatouJM: I will be 42 end of July. I eat rice, drink attaya , listen to
lots of different kinds of music, love to read and sleep
a lot. Sleep and rest is the cure to a healthy and refreshing look all the
time. Especially  for a woman. No?  Just my
thoughts, nothing scientific

*GRTS: The line between what we term as beauty and self-degradation is very
thin, what is your
view on skin bleaching and over reliance on artificial hairs amongst our
Afro-sisters?
*FatouJM:  It baffles me what women will do in the name of beauty. Big hair
once in a while is cool but to be addicted to
attachments that when you see your natural self in the mirror you get
scared? That is worrisome. I keep commenting on
this. It is not what you heap on your head is what makes you beautiful.
Further from the truth. What goes on in your
head will be more enticing to your partners and people you meet. I was
raised modestly. My Mum never fixed or dyed
her hair. Neither have I seen her with gold bangles or lavish anything. She
keeps things neat and simple. But guess
what I think it’s because she does not have it either. She cannot afford it
so maybe that was why all that preaching on
modesty. We did not get used to stuff like that.
Bleaching is horrible. I think women should be comfortable in their skin.
Light, fair, brown or black. The skin color has no
correlation to beauty. So I don’t know why women are obsessed with bleaching
creams. Actually these creams have
long term consequences to our health and well being. So the earlier we catch
on that the better.

*GRTS:  A recent news story leading to a Gambian man accused of killing his
own wife. Do you think
domestic violence is a male problem against women or do sisters also sadly
have their share in the
story?
*FatouJM:  Domestic abuse is mainly a male problem I think due to the fact
of imbalance of physical power. Always when
two people lose their temper and things get messy, the victim will be most
likely the one who is less fit physically. So the
woman mostly becomes the victim. Also, Women are not only harmed physically
or fatally but also mentally from
domestic abuse. Women and children can be very traumatized by abuse from
husbands. And African women are
cornered here. Some go through all kinds of abuse but are afraid or
embarrassed to complain back home to parents
who think lifting you off alone in a plane from Africa is all the blessing a
woman can ask for. So they do not understand
that sometimes women are dealing with monsters when they get here. Sometimes
women unless caught crying will
never confess to even their friends of abuse. We get embarrassed. We all
want to portray a prince. I have seen men so
jealous to a point that whatever the woman does in the house be it  talking
over the phone, oversleeping, getting back a
bit late from work, can all result in getting a beating from a husband. Some
well educated men will starve their wives and
children here. The cruelty can be unbelievable.

Gambian men especially have to learn to give women some space to be
themselves so they can love their men better.
The mental challenges of all this can be sometimes overbearing for the
woman.
I have seen men who marry on false impressions also only to become violent
when they cannot meet expectations and I
have seen men who are so arrogant, self centered and cruel that it impairs
their level of any sensible reasoning. Some
simplest form of cruelty can kill all the love a woman has for a man.
Gambian men should learn how to be kind to their
wives. Cruelty has no place in a relationship. They think they know but some
have to learn how to romance or love their
women. Showing love is no sign of weakness. And rejection is no sign of
hatred either. Women want to feel appreciated .
Some men have this false sense of themselves and of their eligibility that
rejecting their advances becomes a lifetime
war. All of a sudden you can find yourself in a war zone only due to someone
you say no to at some point in time who
will not rest until he sees you demoralized.  Insecurity among other things
is killing our men. And please don’t think a
degree, a big car and an Americanized accent is all that you need to attract
someone. People fall for people for
different reasons.

I was in Dakar with my friend and saw this young nice boy who’s Mum is my
friend’s sister living in New York. She got
shot three times by her husband. The girl was doing braiding business and
has irregular working hrs. The marriage got
sour and then she was shot dead three times in the head by her husband. And
there are countless other cases of
domestic violence.

And guess what too Women are almost equal players to the notoriety. It
becomes sometimes fatal for us most of the
time because the other party/guy is stronger physically. You will not
believe sometimes what Gambian women will do
here far from home. I have seen Gambian girls turn suddenly into Condoleezza
Rice or Kimora Lee Simmons all of a
sudden. You will see and feel the degrees they acquire within a minute of
meeting them. They cannot balance and
appreciate the beauty of our culture and tradition against that of western
culture. Education and degrees can take us
far but at the end of the day, it is our attitude and character that
determines who we are as a person. I have seen
Gambian married  women flirting with other men, their husband’s friends who
they believe are more educated or more
stable financially. Whilst some mischievous friends cheer them on. They go
by “this is America.  So everything goes”
mantra. They belittle their men in many different ways. They throw their
hard working men out of the apartments;
disrespect their husbands’ families who are seen as enemies from the first
day they get married. And we have an
overzealous breed of Gambian women who will do whatever it takes to acquire
wealth. Marrying multiple men, petty
thievery, check fraud, drug dealing. Name it now and the Gambian woman will
do it. The get rich quick schemes and “
Foo Toyy rekk “ mentality  is definitely morphing us into monsters too. I
have also seen friends and family members
interfering too far into their friends and relatives relationships. I have
seen women on weird exercise regimens, diets
and all what not just for the sake of being independent, aware and modern.
It is really baffling. So the problem is not
one- sided, but is gross on the male side I think. But yes definitely we
play a great part in the incitement

*GRTS: How can we solve this dilemma?
*FatouJM: Please our men have to listen and talk more to their wives to see
what they like and what they can adapt to.
Women also have families back home whom they support so the financial
obligations are a burden on both parties.
Juggling school, childbearing and work can have its toll on all. So we do
not have to take each other for granted.
Couples have to be eternally romantic and supportive. You just don’t stop
flirting when you get married. That is when it
should begin for real. Sincere care and surprises will spice up any
relationship rather than unnecessary rigidity and
cruelty. Women have to do whatever it takes to work with, help and love
their husbands but if all that fails, please run
away for your life before you lose it. Everyone has someone special waiting
for them somewhere I believe. Really.

*GRTS: Any last words for Maafanta readers?
*FatouJM:  Oh we thank all our contributors men and women. Please send in
your comments, ideas and news, but
please we are all one and differing in opinion warrants no daggers drawn. We
want almost all articles sent to Maafanta
to be published. So before you send us something, read it with an open mind
but see for yourself if it is publishable or
not. We hate to censure. We can share, enjoy and add up to each other’s
points. Thanks to all who give Maafanta
some support covert and overt? We appreciate the contributions from all our
commentators. It really makes our day. I
also have to thank the Maafanta team, Jabou, Musa, Aisha and Carrie for all
the behind the scenes disagreements and
laughter. At the end of the day we all complement each other which make us
all shine.

*GRTS: Thank you for the time and penetrating answers.
*FatouJM: Thank you too Mr. Sillah and GRTS international for the great job.
Thank you
 *Mohamed
 L. Sillah
 of GR**TS**
Internati
onal  &
Fatou
Jaw
Manneh
of
Maafanta
.com
*


On Mon, Aug 23, 2010 at 6:28 PM, suntou touray <[log in to unmask]>wrote:

> http://www.thegambiajournal.com/sambanner/spacialplayer2.php?sid=382
>
> She explains her ordeals in the hands of Jammeh's criminals. Quiet
> fascinating.
> Suntou
>
> --
> Surah- Ar-Rum 30-22
> "And among His signs is the creation of heavens and the earth, and the
> difference of your languages and colours. Verily, in that are indeed signs
> for men of sound knowledge." Qu'ran
>
> www.suntoumana.blogspot.com
>



-- 
Surah- Ar-Rum 30-22
"And among His signs is the creation of heavens and the earth, and the
difference of your languages and colours. Verily, in that are indeed signs
for men of sound knowledge." Qu'ran

www.suntoumana.blogspot.com


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