Gambia: programs & priorities

ChildFund Australia's affiliate organisation in The Gambia has been working in the country since 1984 and assists over 350,00 children and their families. Primarily, ChildFund in The Gambia's work covers basic health, nutrition, sanitation, micro enterprise, education and early childhood development programs.

Due to the high incidence of malaria-related deaths among children, ChildFund in The Gambia established a malaria control/bed net distribution programs with the support of the World Health Organization and UNICEF. As a result, child deaths have been reduced by 40 per cent in areas where ChildFund is working.

With less than 20 per cent of families having access to an improved water source, ChildFund in The Gambia is installing safe water systems, such as concrete lined wells and overhead water tanks (solar powered for pipe-borne water) for several communities in Kalagi and Sintet. In addition, pit latrines in most of the 26 communities have improved overall sanitary conditions along with health education.

A food security program includes machines such as power tillers and milling machines to increase production and process grains for the communities. Horticulture and orchards in several communities help diversify food varieties and improve nutrition for children.

Development in progress

Family incomes in The Gambia are extremely low. As such, ChildFund in The Gambia has ensured that at least one major income-generating activity is included in every ChildFund-affiliated community. These include:

a juice-making factory in Darsilami;
a cashew nut plantation in Mankana and other mixed farming initiatives to enhance crop production;
onion production and a bakery in Bintang; lodges in Bijilo and Sanyang;
house rentals in Tanjeh and Kalagi;
commercial vehicles for transportation in the Kafuta and Eastern Foni areas; and
a tailoring shop to produce school uniforms and other clothes in Bijilo.

Alternative education programs teach school drop-outs vocational skills in information technology, secretarial work, sewing, tie-dye and carpentry, and a micro credit program helps students get small businesses started.