By: Lamin B. Darboe
The Gambia Mangrove REDD+ Project has made a significant impact by donating 390 bicycles and 650 school uniforms to students who are orphans in the West Coast, Central River, and Lower River Regions. This initiative directly addresses the critical need for students to access their schools easily and ensures they receive quality education.
Mr. Fagimba Camara, Head of the Research Unit at the West African Bird Study Association (WABSA), confirmed that in January 2022, over 500 students from five communities—Joreng, Bonda Kunda, and Bajana in the West Coast Region, as well as Jiffarong, Keneba, and Kantong Kunda in the Lower River Region—benefited from the project’s educational support program. This program covers not only school fees but also provides essential supplies such as stationery, food, mattresses, and school furniture.
Mr. Camara asserts that this project is an investment in these communities’ futures, prioritizing education and environmental awareness. It is not merely about providing handouts; it is about empowerment and sustainable change.
Furthermore, the project is committed to cultivating a generation of informed and empowered youth who will lead future efforts in mangrove restoration and conservation.
“Through the combined efforts of the project team and local communities, the Gambia Mangrove REDD+ Project is effectively preserving the environment while actively transforming lives through education and sustainable development,” Mr. Camara declared.
The project’s comprehensive educational support programs have already transformed the lives of hundreds of students in the targeted regions. Notably, in 2023 alone, over 1,040 students from 65 communities in Foni, Kiang, Jarra, and Niamina benefited from similar initiatives.
The Gambia Mangrove REDD+ Project is funded by Danish Green Energy Major Ørsted Nature-Based Solutions and is being executed by three dedicated NGOs: the West African Bird Study Association (WABSA), Sahel Wetland Concern, and the Kombo Foni Forestry Association.
