By Jainaba M Jallow

 

My journey into media did not begin in a classroom. It began in an office.

Before the camera, I was working as a HR officer and a WAPIS operator at The Gambia Prison Service. That was my official roles. But alongside that role was Cpl Amat Joof; a versatile officer who could do almost anything placed before him.

He worked in IT, handled statistics, operated cameras, managed WAPIS, and delivered every task with excellence. I admired that deeply.

Whenever I had no work to do, I stayed close to him. One day, I asked him to show me how to use the camera. He did; patiently. More than that, he encouraged me not to limit myself. At the time, I thought I was just learning something small. He saw more.

Soon, whenever he wasn’t around and management needed pictures taken, I was called. Slowly, without any announcement, I became the one holding the camera.

Then Superintendent Luke Jatta, the IPRO, saw me in action. He noticed the passion before the position. When he asked if I wanted to learn media, I told him the truth; I simply loved the camera. He respected that honesty. He told me that anytime something media-related came up, he would involve me.

And he did.

When a two-day media workshop came up and two officers were needed, it was him and me. After the workshop, he asked me to write the report and my recommendations. He read it and told me it was good.

That moment mattered.
It told me I was being seen.

Then came Independence 2025.

It was my first time filming and taking pictures in such a large crowd.
It was intense.
It was overwhelming.
It was also an awakening. I understood, for the first time, the power of the camera in public memory.

After Independence, three officers were selected to be part of the media team. I was one of them; the only woman.

Later on, Superintendent Jatta called me again. He informed me that two officers were being selected for an internship at GRTS TV.

I could hardly believe it.

At GRTS, I didn’t behave like a guest. I moved with cameramen, spent time in studios, observed workflows, and asked questions. I learned how media truly works; teamwork, pressure, discipline, and responsibility.

That experience reshaped my understanding of the field.

Jainaba In action

Then IPRO Luke Jatta, encouraged us again; this time to apply to Media Academy for Journalism and Communication – MAJaC. That encouragement changed everything.

I applied.

At MAJaC, being taught by Mr. Leigh changed everything for me. He opened my mind to the reality that the camera is only a tool; what truly matters is vision, discipline, storytelling, and purpose. His patience and passion made learning easy, and his depth of experience pushed me to see film and photography beyond taking pictures, but as a profession, a business, and a way of life.

That experience widened my world.

Film and Photography class with Mr. Leigh

❤️ Looking back now, I understand something clearly: . .

I thought I was just holding a camera.

They saw potential.

They say . I am living proof that the right environment; and the right people; can lift you into places you never imagined.

I am deeply grateful to every person who encouraged me, trusted me, corrected me, and believed in me before I fully believed in myself. Thank you for seeing beyond what I thought was just interest, and recognizing it as purpose.

To anyone reading this; women and men alike; take what you are doing seriously.
Show up fully.
Learn.
Stay disciplined.
One day, the thing you think is small may become history.