In Karantaba Tabokoto, a village tucked into the far eastern corner of The Gambia, life has always been defined by resilience. The dry season brings dust and scarcity, the rains bring renewal, and for generations, women like Sanna Sisawo have carried the weight of keeping their families afloat.
Sanna, a mother of five, once ran a tiny food stand with little more than determination and hope. Her customers were loyal, but her resources were scarce. “I used to wake up every morning wondering how I would afford the next bag of beans,” she recalls. With no access to credit or formal banking, expanding her small business felt impossible.
Everything began to change when Tostan—a West African NGO known for its Community Empowerment Program (CEP)—introduced a small loan initiative in her village. Guided by local committees and rooted in trust, the program helps women develop leadership, financial literacy, and confidence. When Sanna was selected to receive a modest grant of 5,000 dalasi (about $75), she saw it as more than money—it was a chance to rewrite her story.
She used the funds to buy beans, oil, and onions to prepare hot meals for schoolchildren and neighbors. Within weeks, she was earning steady income and reinvesting her profits. Her business, once a humble roadside stand, became a reliable source of food and comfort for her community.
“Before, I could barely provide for my children,” she says. “Now, I can send them to school with pride.”
The change in Sanna’s life goes far beyond financial stability. She has become a mentor to other women, encouraging them to save, plan, and believe in their own potential. “I want to help other women start their own businesses,” she adds. “When one of us rises, we all rise.”
Tostan’s approach goes beyond aid—it’s about building lasting capacity and dignity. By placing decision-making power in the hands of communities, the program creates space for women to become economic actors, educators, and leaders. For Sanna, the loan wasn’t charity; it was recognition of her potential.
Her story captures a larger truth often missed in global development conversations: change doesn’t always start with grand projects or large sums of money. Sometimes, it begins with a single opportunity—a small spark of trust and investment that allows someone like Sanna to stand taller, dream bigger, and inspire others to do the same.
Today, as she plans to expand her business and train other women, Sanna’s success is more than personal. It’s a reminder that empowerment, when rooted in dignity and community, can light the way for generations.