Although tuition in government primary schools is free, many families need $40 to pay for books, uniforms, test fees, and occasionally shoes. Junior and Senior secondary schools require $75-$100 a year. Merit based scholarships of up to $200 can be applied to private school tuition, also for a year.

Please help sponsor a student. You can make a donation of any amount, or, if you would like to sponsor a student for a year, we will pair you up with a specific student. You will receive their name, contact info, picture, and grades.

In spite of the efforts of educators and leadership, students need to pass rigorous 5th and 9th grade exams to go on to the next level. Girls are often asked to help at home with younger siblings or help financially support their families and forfeit finishing their education. The G.E.S.T.P aims to give girls practical skills such as tie n dye, sewing, shoemaking and so on, as well as entrepreneurial techniques to run small businesses. This program can reduce the need for early marriage and thwart trafficking

Beverly Berndt started working with student groups in Gambia in 1998, then began bringing groups of American youth to Gambia in 2007 to work side by side Gambian youth to do service projects together for 3 weeks, such as:
   Character Education Workshops
   Trash Clean-up Campaigns
   Evironmental projects like
      sheltering endangered Sea Turtles
      Tree Planting to counter desertification
Intercultural exchange
Inter-religious forums
Orphanage Visitations
Mother-Baby Wellness Clinic