Projects

Addressed Challenges

Gambia remains one of the most unequal countries in the world, with large-scale youth unemployment, limited access to quality and relevant education, and increasing marginalization due to socio-economic, political, and historical challenges. The main problems in the education and employment sectors exacerbate the lack of opportunities for income generation, employment, and further education and training. Notably, a significant portion of youths aged 15-24 are not in employment, education, or training (NEET). There is an urgent need for:

Education Initiatives

A major challenge for the Gambian government is combating youth unemployment and regulating the labor market. Youth unemployment is a serious issue, with many young people leaving school prematurely and lacking the qualifications to find work. This often leads to involvement in criminal activities or substance abuse, and some youths attempt to migrate to Europe in search of better prospects. Reducing youth unemployment is essential to combating poverty and preventing crime, and it begins with quality education. As the Mayamba Support Foundation, we aim to address this by establishing a vocational school to provide a safe and sustainable learning environment for young people, regardless of their families' financial situations. In 2025, we will open our first skills center.

Economic Development

With the vocational school, coaching and mentoring will be provided to foster independent economic development. By offering active training, mentoring, and business support services, we aim to help new businesses survive the difficult early years and encourage local employment. Additionally, we train, coach, and mentor youths towards new job opportunities, ensuring they have the necessary skills and support for a successful career.

Youth Development

Building a personal strategy and capacity to navigate an uncertain future is essential for a successful life. The Mayamba skills center aims to equip young people with the skills and resilience needed to tackle life's challenges and opportunities. We focus on:

• Future Readiness: A basic program that helps users understand themselves, unlock their potential, and develop important soft skills.
• Sustainability Leadership: A program that encourages youths to explore solutions to environmental and economic challenges.
• Entrepreneurship as a Mindset: A program that supports youths in turning their ideas into reality and stimulates a mindset shift to identify and seize growth opportunities.

Health Center

Healthcare is an important aspect that focuses on the physical and mental well-being of people in a specific region. This healthcare requires collective responsibility and promotes a healthy lifestyle to prevent chronic diseases and ensure overall well-being. In the Mayamba community center, we will focus on community health initiatives designed to prevent diseases, promote hygiene, and address common ailments, especially in children.

Environmental Sustainability

Gambia faces significant environmental issues, including climate change, pollution, and resource depletion, alongside high youth unemployment and poverty. As the Mayamba Support Foundation, we aim to empower youths to address these challenges by turning them into opportunities for sustainable businesses. We focus on areas such as water scarcity, waste management, food insecurity, solar energy, and regenerative agriculture. By encouraging youths to launch green energy solutions and environmentally conscious enterprises, we strive to create jobs and stimulate the Gambian economy while promoting environmental sustainability.