Since Randy and Beverly Berndt went to The Gambia for Family Federation for World Peace and Unification in 1996, New Hope Academy has supported the ensuing “Gambia Project.” The enthusiasm and "volunteerism" of youth, both Gambians and Americans have been transformative for all participants from both sides of the Atlantic. Together with Gambian youth groups, 3 initiatives in this amazing country have been developing.
1. A scholarship program that has to date sponsored more than 1000 students since 1998.
2. A Summer of Service Program has brought a total of 73 Americans to work side by side with several hundred Gambian youth, every year since 2007. Together, we do meaningful and interactive service projects, participate in intercultural and inter-religious exchange, and visit and learn about Kuntah Kinteh and the slave trade from Gambia to Baltimore. Past service projects have included clean-up campaigns, character education in schools, educational conferences, helping at a mother-baby health clinic, bringing supplies to and visiting an orphanage, and more, all while incorporating fun and learning into every activity.
3. The Girls' Empowerment and Skills Training Project (GESTP) provides practical tie and dye and batik, entrepreneurial, and character/confidence-building skills. This initiative began as a collaboration between several international NGOs and New Hope Academy.The Girls' Empowerment and Skills Training Project (GESTP) provides practical tie and dye and batik, entrepreneurial, and character/confidence-building skills. This initiative began as a collaboration between several international NGOs and New Hope Academy.