Child Sponsorship

Fatou was born into a less-privileged family. With many siblings and extended family members under the care of her father — a farmer — and her mother who sold vegetables at the local market, Fatou was unable to start school at the right age. As a result, she missed the opportunity to attend nursery school and began her education journey directly in primary school.

Fatou’s life took a turn for the better when she was selected to join ChildFund’s sponsorship program.

“After some time, our pictures were sent for sponsorship, and I was fortunate to get Mary Victor Blomberg from Sweden as a sponsor. She changed my life. Getting sponsored was one of the best things that happened to me and my parents. I was about 8 years old, and my parents were so happy because they wanted me to be educated, but financially, they could not afford it, so the coming of a sponsor changed my life story.”

Being part of the program meant that all her school needs were met, allowing her to focus entirely on her studies.

“My parents hardly spent a penny on me. My sponsor took care of everything. She paid my school fees and ensured I received books and learning materials at the beginning of every academic year. Anytime my books were full, I would go to the ChildFund office to get new ones. My sponsor also sent me money every year during Christmas and on my birthday and that’s what I used to buy new uniforms, clothes, and part of it as lunch money.”

Growing up under the care of a committed sponsor gave Fatou stability and confidence. The program not only supported her education but also taught her financial responsibility early on.

“My mother was the signatory to that account and the book was kept at the ChildFund office. At the age of 18, while I was in grade 12 and on the verge of departing from the program, I wrote my farewell letter to my sponsor. Immediately after receiving my letter explaining my plans for my future education, she sent a lot of money – about 60,000 Dalasi (USD 883) to help me accomplish my future educational plans. That was the amount I used to pay for my Association of Accounting Technicians (AAT) Level 1 and 2 and those certificates helped me to secure a job as a banker.”

Today, Fatou’s dream is a reality. She holds a critical role in one of the country’s top institutions.

“Currently, I work at The Gambia College, the country’s biggest teacher training institution as the institution’s first-ever financial controller mandated with managing the institution’s finances.”

Fatou’s story is a powerful testament to what child sponsorship can achieve — turning hope into opportunity, and opportunity into lasting change.

“Getting sponsored was one of the best things that happened to me and my parents. I was about 8 years old, and my parents were so happy because they wanted me to be educated but could not afford it. My parents hardly spent a penny on me. My sponsor, Mary, took care of everything. She paid my school fees and ensured I received books and learning materials. Anytime my books were full, I would go to the ChildFund office to get new ones.”