We believe every child should have the opportunity to go to school. Unfortunately, many children in The Gambia are denied an education simply because their families cannot afford it.

    One third of primary-aged children in rural areas are out of school

   One percent of under 5s live in a home with three or more children’s books

     Just over half the adult population can read and write*

Education doesn’t just give children a chance to learn, it can also provide a way to break the cycle of poverty, opening up opportunities in the future and benefiting the entire community. But those opportunities can only come about if children and young people can go to school now. With your help, we can make that happen.

The Farakunku Foundation also helps children stay healthy so they can get the most out of school. Malnutrition is all too evident amongst the youngest children, with those affected more likely to be sick or – when they can get to school – unable to concentrate in class. We work with nursery schools to introduce lunch clubs, giving every pupil a free meal during the school day. We’ve seen a fall in the number of children being absent and an increase in enrolment rates – at one school by a staggering 24% – since our lunch programme started.

In a country where one in four of the population lives below the international poverty line of $1.90 (US) a day*, your support of the Farakunku Foundation really can help children to get an education and stay healthy and well.

Thank you.

 

*UNICEF statistic