Following research that revealed a 41% youth unemployment rate in The Gambia, ChildFund established a shoemaking and training facility in Brikama, West Coast Region, to expand employment opportunities for young people.

Implemented in partnership with Saama Kairo Federation, the initiative equips youth with practical skills and job opportunities while also supporting the livelihoods of local distributors and retailers who sell the factory’s finished products for both local and export markets.

The facility is a significant step toward addressing youth unemployment. It also serves as a model of good practice by discouraging the importation of basic sandals and other shoe brands, helping to reduce the strain on the national economy, which relies on imports for more than 95 percent of its goods.

To date, the program has enrolled more than two dozen youth, primarily young women, who are currently undergoing training at the center. It is also providing the local market with a variety of affordable shoes that were previously imported from neighboring countries and Asia.

In The Gambia, girls are more likely to drop out of school after completing senior secondary education, largely due to the increased risk of early marriage during this stage of life. Boys, on the other hand, often face significant barriers to accessing tertiary education because their families cannot afford the costs.

To help address these challenges, ChildFund ensures that all children enrolled in its sponsorship program who gain admission to tertiary institutions receive support to continue their education. In 2024 alone, ChildFund supported 915 students with tuition payments, while an additional 329 were enrolled in Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) centers.

ChildFund is in the final stages of constructing a Youth Multipurpose Center in Brikama, the second-largest town in The Gambia.
The center will feature a conference hall, migrant clinic, career counseling unit, resource center, and a playground for children and youth. Once completed, it will serve as a central hub for information and services related to adolescent and youth reproductive health, career development, and job creation.
Although still under construction, the center is already being used for select events. Once fully operational, it is expected to provide vital resources and support for youth engagement. It will also play a key role in addressing irregular migration and promoting economic opportunities for young people.

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At ChildFund, we believe in equipping children and youth to lead the charge in tackling environmental challenges. By providing them with opportunities, resources, and safe spaces to engage in environmental conservation and advocacy, we help them become influential voices in shaping policies at local, national, and global levels. 

Every year, we partner with LEAP Africa, Dow, and the Brikama Area Council to mobilize young people to commemorate the Youth Day of Service focusing on environmental action. Hundreds of youths participate in this massive cleaning exercise and tree planting initiatives organized by ChildFund and its Local Partners, Saama Kairo, Foni Ding Ding and Ding Ding Yiriwa Federations across the West Coast Region.

Learn More:

• • ChildFund Holds Mangrove Planting Exercise In Faraba, Tree Planting In Jonier Forests.

In 2024, ChildFund, in collaboration with key partners, spearheaded a youth summit aimed at establishing a Youth Advisory Council, an entity led by young people and composed of youth representatives who serve as an advisory and advocacy body to government institutions and donor agencies.

This initiative is part of broader efforts to empower young people to use their voices effectively and engage in public outreach and advisory activities that advance their involvement in nation-building. The council provides youth with a platform for meaningful participation in policy advocacy, enabling them to share creative ideas and influence decisions that affect their lives and communities.

Beyond policy engagement, the council also fosters youth participation in community leadership and offers a valuable opportunity for them to learn directly from their peers, gaining insights into the diverse experiences, needs, and priorities of young people across the country.

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