From Child Activist to Global Advocate: Musu Bakoto Sawo Inspires Make It Worthy Students

On April 29th, 2026, Make It Worthy had the honor of welcoming an extraordinary guest whose story left a lasting impact on our students and staff. Musu Bakoto Sawo visited our center and shared a journey filled with courage, resilience, sacrifice, and hope. Her message was powerful, inspiring every student in the room to believe in the value of education, discipline, and perseverance.

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From a very young age, while many children spent their days playing with toys and enjoying childhood comforts, Musu was already fighting for a cause much greater than herself. Growing up in The Gambia, she witnessed the harsh realities many girls faced. In her community, girls were often denied the opportunity to attend school and were instead prepared for marriage at an early age. Even as a child, Musu recognized that without education, many young girls would never have the chance to achieve their dreams or build independent futures.

Determined to change this reality, Musu began advocating for girls’ education at a young age. She spoke at conferences, school events, and community gatherings, passionately encouraging families and leaders to support girls in pursuing an education. She told our students that even as a young girl herself, she dreamed of becoming a lawyer so she could defend the rights of women and children.

However, her journey was not easy. At just 14 years old and in the 8th grade, Musu’s parents informed her that they had arranged for her to marry a man she did not know. The news shocked her and many members of the community, especially because she was already recognized as a child rights activist. Despite her efforts to convince her parents to change their minds, they refused. Musu shared with our students the emotional pain and pressure she experienced during that difficult period in her life.

Still, she refused to give up on her education. She pleaded with her parents to allow her to continue going to school, promising that after classes she would return home and fulfill her responsibilities. During this challenging time, she learned the importance of seeking support from trusted adults. Musu encouraged our students to speak with school counselors, teachers, and mentors whenever they face difficulties at home or at school. She reminded them that asking for help is not a weakness but a sign of strength.

After graduating from high school, Musu took another courageous step. She convinced her husband to allow her to attend university, and eventually he agreed. Her determination to continue her education required tremendous sacrifice. She explained how she would wake up at 5:00 every morning to go to the local market, buy ingredients, and complete household cooking responsibilities before heading to class. Despite exhaustion and countless obstacles, she remained committed to her education because she understood that education was the key to transforming her future.

Musu also encouraged our young students to begin thinking seriously about their dreams and future careers. She told them that no child is too young to start imagining who they want to become in life. Whether they aspire to become doctors, teachers, lawyers, engineers, artists, or community leaders, she emphasized that success begins with believing in oneself and setting goals early.

One of the most touching parts of her presentation was her message about kindness and compassion. Musu reminded students that many children silently struggle with hunger, poverty, and hardships that others may never see. Some students, she explained, go to bed at night without food. She urged everyone to be supportive, respectful, and kind to one another because small acts of kindness can deeply impact someone’s life.

During her third year at university studying law, tragedy struck again when her husband passed away. Suddenly, Musu found herself raising a young daughter while continuing her studies. Instead of allowing grief and hardship to stop her, she used those experiences as motivation to push even harder toward success. She knew she wanted a better future not only for herself, but also for her daughter.

Musu eventually pursued Human Rights studies at law school in Pretoria, dedicating her career to defending women and girls and fighting for justice. She later taught students at the University of The Gambia before continuing her academic journey in the United States at the University of Notre Dame, where she earned her second master’s degree in Peace Studies with a focus on violence against women.

Musu also openly discussed the discrimination she faced as a Black Muslim woman who wears a hijab. Yet despite prejudice and barriers, she continued moving forward with determination and confidence. She encouraged students to stay focused on their education, set goals, and work relentlessly to achieve them. She reminded every student in attendance that they are intelligent and capable, but they must first believe in themselves.

Today, Musu serves as the Director of Finance and Fundraising for the Community Foundation of Snohomish County, an organization that has been a valued partner of Make It Worthy. Their continued support has helped strengthen programs that empower young people in our community, and we are deeply grateful for that partnership.

Founder and Executive Director of Make it Worthy, Abdoulie Jarju thanked Musu Bakoto Sawo for visiting Make It Worthy and sharing her inspiring journey with students and staff. He described her story as powerful and motivating, reminding students of the importance of perseverance, education, discipline, and believing in themselves despite life’s challenges. He also expressed gratitude for her willingness to take time out of her busy schedule to invest in the future generation of young leaders.

Jarju encouraged more community leaders and professionals to visit the center and share their experiences with students, emphasizing that hearing real-life stories of resilience and success can inspire young people to dream bigger, stay focused, and work hard toward achieving their goals.

As she concluded her visit, Musu left students with one final and unforgettable message: everyone’s journey is different. Some people experience a smooth road to success, while others must overcome painful and difficult obstacles. But through consistency, discipline, faith, and perseverance, success will always find those who refuse to give up.

Co-Founder and Development Director of Make It Worthy, Joelta Seneh, also expressed her sincere appreciation to Musu Bakoto Sawo for taking the time to visit and inspire the students. Speaking to the young people in attendance, Seneh emphasized that Musu’s remarkable journey serves as a powerful reminder that with determination, hard work, and belief in oneself, anything is possible. She encouraged students to remain committed to their dreams, set meaningful goals, and stay focused on achieving them despite any challenges they may face along the way.

Seneh further highlighted the importance of strong community partnerships in shaping the next generation of leaders. She noted that stories like Musu’s provide invaluable lessons that cannot be learned from textbooks alone and called on more community leaders, professionals, and organizations to partner with Make It Worthy. By sharing their experiences, mentorship, and expertise, she said, they can help inspire, guide, and empower young people to reach their full potential and become future leaders in their communities and beyond.

Her story was more than a speech, it was a living example of courage in action. Musu Bakoto Sawo’s visit reminded everyone at Make It Worthy that education has the power to transform lives, break cycles of injustice, and create hope for future generations. Her strength, humility, and unwavering commitment to helping others inspired every person in the room, and her message will continue to motivate our students for years to come.