For the benefit of those in doubt, my name is    Pa M.L. Joof aka Big Pappa or simply "Pappa". I hailed from The Republic of The Gambia, a small West African nation remarkably known for its beauty and friendly people. I was born and raised on the lands of this great African nation.

I attended Nusrat High School where, I graduated in 1995 among the top of my class and then, proceeded to Gambia High School to further enhance my educational credentials. On the Summer of 1997 I was hired as a Records Clerk at the Department of Water Resources then, later transferred to the Ministry of Local Government & Lands in December, of the same year. From there, I had an opportunity in August,1998 to travel to the United States to further my studies.

Upon my arrival in the States, the way to higher education didn't surface right away. As the normal routine requires, I had to work for a little while to gather up some funds inorder to start school. Without any close family members to expect a hand from, I had to struggle my way out and eventually start college in Spring (January) of 2000, and the rest became history. In May,2002 I earned my Associate in Science degree and then, May of 2004 my Bachelor of Arts degrees in Political Science & Economics from North Carolina State University. And concurrently, I will be starting graduate school this coming August,2004 for my Masters in Business Administration (MBA) degree. 

Currently, I'm just working and enjoying the fruits of life and, now that time would allow me, after successfully completing the most difficult phase of my educational career (earning a BA degree), I have made it a point of duty to visit home (The Gambia) at least once a year. I have visited four times already since I initially arrived in the States. Although, I have found a new life and identity in America, my heart and soul would forever remain Gambian.

For the future, I'm aspiring to become a Business Leader, CEO/Chairman, President of The Gambia and/or serve in the United States Congress. For  now, I'll be following the footsteps of those who have become of it, and hopefully I'll get there someday.

Finally, I thank the Almighty God (Allah) for his blessings, and same thanks goes to my beloved Mom and Dad as well for having me, thanks to my wife, relatives and friends for sticking by me during good and bad times. May God bless you all, Amen.
          
                pmjoof@email.com