Fatou Touray Cham

Mrs Faou Touray Cham
Place of Birth: Gunjur West Coast Region
Country: The Gambia, West Africa

A dedicated and accomplished Social Worker and Acumen West Africa Fellow with over 20 years of experience in practical management, women's economic empowerment, and youth development. Throughout my career, I have demonstrated exceptional leadership, innovation, and a commitment to empowering underserved communities.

Professional Experience:

-National Director, Buzz Women Gambia (2018–Present)
Leading an impactful NGO that provides doorstep training to rural women entrepreneurs, empowering nearly 40,000 women across The Gambia. By utilizing a mobile school bus equipped with teaching materials, Buzz Women Gambia ensures that underserved women can access the knowledge and resources they need to realize their dreams. With offices in the West Coast and Lower River Regions, I am dedicated to enhancing women’s economic empowerment through practical, community-based solutions.

Regional Manager, Development Finance Unit – Reliance Financial Service (2011–2018)
Directed the Women Finance Program in the West Coast Region, making micro-credit accessible to rural women. Responsibilities included conducting financial literacy and group management training, and facilitating loan processes, enabling rural women to improve their livelihoods and meet their daily needs.

- Youth Coordinator, Gambia National Youth Service Scheme (2001–2011)
Coordinated training programs for young people, with a particular focus on school dropouts and the unschooled, equipping them with vocational skills and micro-credit opportunities. Played a key role in the GAMJOBS project, training youth in job creation and combating the "back-way syndrome" through initiatives such as pavement slab making and waste collection.

Key Skills and Achievements:
- Expert in community engagement, financial literacy, and group management training.
- Proven ability to connect with diverse groups, adapt to various environments and collaborate across cultures.
- Recognized for excellent communication, leadership, and organizational skills.
- Represented The Gambia in international forums, fostering knowledge exchange and cross-cultural collaboration.

Key Milestone:
In December 2017, I participated in the Better Future Leadership Journey, bringing together women from the Netherlands and The Gambia to design impactful projects for rural women. This transformative experience inspired the creation of Buzz Women Gambia, which was officially registered in April 2018, marking a pivotal step toward achieving my vision of empowering women in rural communities.

Philosophy and Motivation:
Meticulous, hardworking, and driven by a commitment to excellence, I believe in the transformative power of education, financial independence, and community support. My guiding principle is to always strive for perfection in the pursuit of empowering others to achieve their dreams.