Breaking Barriers: Desmonda Aminata Cole’s Journey as a Female Camera Operator in Sierra Leone’s Media Industry

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Last updated: 2023/07/02 at 6:44 PM

By Sallu Kamuskay Published July 2, 2023 36 Views 4 Min Read

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Breaking Barriers: Desmonda Aminata Cole Journey as a Female Camera Operator in Sierra Leone's Media Industry

Desmonda Aminata Cole, also known as the “young lady camera operator,” is a 23-year-old Sierra Leonean breaking barriers and making a name for herself in the male-dominated field of camera operation and photography. She currently works for Africa Young Voices Media Empire, the leading media institution in Sierra Leone.

Desmonda’s journey to success has not been an easy one. At a young age, she lost both her parents and had to rely on the support of family members to pursue her education. Despite facing opposition from her aunt, who believed camera operation was a form of prostitution, Desmonda found a mentor in Isata Kamara who encouraged her to pursue her passion.

In 2017, Desmonda decided to step up and fend for herself. She initially applied to be a presenter at Africa Young Voices Media Empire but was not accepted. However, she did not let this setback discourage her. She applied for an internship at the media institution and was finally accepted, becoming the first camera operator for the company.

Desmonda’s inspiration comes from Amb Phebean Swill, an award-winning filmmaker and TV personality at Africa Young Voices Media Empire. She admires Phebean’s calmness and professionalism, considering her one of her mentors. Desmonda is also a beneficiary of the IJ Kabba Foundation and holds a diploma in mass communication.

Desmonda’s dream is to own her own photography company and run an academy where she can train other young girls in camera operation and photography. She believes that more women should pursue their dreams in the industry and hopes to inspire others to do so.

“I hope to someday own my own company where I will be able to train young girls to break barriers and become camera operators like me” she told Salone Messenger

As a camera operator, Desmonda faces challenges such as limited access to equipment due to financial constraints. Additionally, she encounters skepticism from clients who believe that camera operation is a man’s job. However, Desmonda perseveres by producing high-quality work and building a good reputation.

Desmonda, like many women, has a big dream job, she disclosed that she would like to be a photographer for Sierra Leone’s first lady, Dr. Fatima Bio

“I have over the years admired the first lady of the country, her love, and commitment to supporting her husband’s political journey are incredible, I would like to document her journey.” She said.

Despite the obstacles she has faced, Desmonda’s hard work and determination have paid off. She started by covering events and taking photos of friends and family, gradually building up her portfolio. Her big break came when she covered the EcoFest event, one of the biggest shows in Sierra Leone that brings together renowned artists.

Desmonda Aminata Cole is a trailblazer in Sierra Leone, breaking barriers and proving that women can excel in the field of camera operation and photography. Her story serves as an inspiration to other young girls who aspire to pursue their dreams in the industry.

TAGGED: Desmonda Aminata Cole, Sierra Leone

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By Sallu Kamuskay

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Sallu Kamuskay is a Sierra Leonean communication strategist, fixer, blogger, youth organiser, event manager, spokesperson, and public relations expert. His work has been regularly referenced and published by national and international media and public policy institutions. Sallu Kamuskay was a child during the brutal war in Sierra Leone. Growing up in the midst of conflict, Sallu witnessed unimaginable abuse of children and gross violations of human rights. The horrors he witnessed during the Civil War had a terrible impact on him at a very tender age. But despite the shock of the war, Sallu never lost hope. He started on a journey of recovery, studying, and working for a better future. At age 15, Sallu entered into the world of activism and advocacy. Sallu Kamuskay was the Vice President of the Young Leaders Organisation, a member of the National Youth Council. The Young Leaders is one of the oldest youth-led organisations in West Africa. The organisation was formed by a group of young leaders, and launched by the then Head of State/President of Sierra Leone. Sallu was part of the group of young leaders who participated in and contributed to the establishment of the National Youth Council. The Commonwealth supported the training for trainers programme with line ministries and youth stakeholders in which key, representatives of youth council, student union and civil society/private sector youth platforms were engaged and empowered in the effective engagement and inclusion of youth. Sallu is co-founder and Executive Director of the Salone Messenger, a global multimedia and public relations firm based In Sierra Leone. Sallu has worked on various developmental and policy issues such as Poverty, Climate Change, Human rights, Child Rights, Education, Health, Gender Equality, Civic Engagement, Government policies, Information Communication Technology for Development and the Sustainable Development Goals, and has also been contributing to various global events and advocacy campaigns. Sallu Kamuskay is the co-founder and Executive Director of the Salone Messenger, a global Multimedia and Public Relations Firm based in Sierra Leone with the latest news and information, on top stories, business, politics, entertainment, and more. Sallu is working with a leading technology company in Africa, Techfrica, that has recently developed and launched a social media, messaging Supfrica with over 150,000 downloads on the Google play store in less than 4 days. He is the Adviser and Media coordinator for the App to give people the platform to connect and communicate to help shape their future with a very fast internet that allows users that live in deprived and hard-to-reach areas with poor internet facility to be able to communicate as it allows and stronger on 2 and 3 G network reception. Sallu has over 9 years of experience in youth engagement, inclusion, and coordination both at local and global levels, giving voice to young people and engaging young people to build a better world. He has served as coordinator for the Wave Alliance which brought together youth-led organisations who attended an international training in South Africa organized by the International Organization – Waves for Change. Sallu is working with the MLT, Waves For Change, and the Government to develop safe spaces for young people, with a view to contributing to the overall development goals of young people including health, as well as to community rebuilding. Sallu is currently the Programme Director for the Wave Alliance, which is a coalition of youth-led and community-based organisations that have successfully introduced evidence-based Surf Therapy programs to young people in communities, with a focus on mental health, peace building and sustainable development. Sallu is currently the focal point and face of Africa’s Faces Social media platform which is a global Social media platform that brings together people from across the world to share their moments, connect, share videos, and interact with friends giving more preference to excluded continents like Africa. Sallu Kamuskay has devoted his time to working for or contributing to a number of national and international organizations and companies, including the Techfrica Technology Company, United Nations, ECOWAS, European Union, Commonwealth Africa Initiatives. This work has led him to travel to a number of countries to contribute to global youth platforms. Sallu is the lead Coordinator for Peace Tour programme, an initiative supported by the European Union, Africa Union, ECOWAS focusing on uniting and empowering young people and local communities. Over the years, Sallu Kamuskay has been using his Techno phone to be able to tell stories, the phone he used to tell the story of Gbessay during Ebola who was admitted at one of the Ebola treatment centers after rumors that she had Ebola when the actual sickness was ulcer, she was almost abandoned at the treatment canter with no medication provided to her. She could have died. Sallu told the story via social media and was able to secure funding from the United Sierra Leone to buy her medication and advocated for her. She was later discharged and taken home, He did the same to a patient that died and was abandoned in the street, Sallu Kamuskay used his phone and shared the message across, the corps was later taken and buried. It could have been more disaster without his voice. The story of late America Stress 3-year-old daughter. The hero’s daughter was abandon after his father's death. He shared her sad story and was able to get a sister who has taken the child as her own and is currently providing her with educational support. The article of America Stress can be read on the link below http://ayvnewspaper.com/index.php/k2-categories/item/7350-america-stress-a-hero-to-recognize. Sallu Kamuskay feels the stories of Gbessay, America stress and that of many others need to be told. The media house we have cannot better tell these stories, they are better reporters than telling human interest stories. He created the Salone Messenger platform and brought together passionate storytellers to be able to tell these compelling stories.