COMMUNITY
DEVELOPMENT FUND



Community Development Fund

Through our Community Development Fund, our aim is to not only raise funds to help Gambian communities, but to also empower these communities to help themselves.

In recent years, from the many charitable projects operating in The Gambia, one particularly impressed us, namely the ComAfrique Inversol Initiative (CII), Light up a Village, bringing much needed solar power to West Africa. Following the success of our inital projects which brought solar power to the villages of Kanuma, Niggi and Sitta, we are delighted to continue championing this initiative.

 

DONATE ONLINE

 

The Gambia Experience took us from darkness and brought us to the light.

Mariama Manga, Head of the Kanuma Village Committee

Our Funding Goals

Our goal, with your support, is to raise funds to light up villages all over The Gambia, changing the lives of as many Gambians as we can. The idea behind the programme is that for around £2,250 we're able to light up a rural village using solar lighting, a life-changing gift. The lights are then distributed amongst the local community who pay a small amount for them each day (less than the cost of buying candles). This money is collected and saved by a village committee who, after one or two years, will reinvest the funds into more solar lights as well as other sustainable business ideas.

Over the years, we've supported many schools in The Gambia. In keeping with our educational roots, we ask communities to put 50% of their generated income back into education with the other 50% going to the sustainable business of their choice.

For example, a village can reinvest the funds into further income-generating projects such as rice cultivation equipment so that the village can sell their own rice, buying a solar powered TV so the village can sell tickets to watch football matches (a very popular past time) or perhaps buying an ice machine so the village can sell ice. 

DONATE ONLINE

 

The benefits of solar lights

There are so many benefits to the Gambian villages who take part in the 'Light up a Village' programme.

  • Cheaper than traditional lighting
  • Limits the risk of fire from candles and kerosene lanterns
  • Empowers Gambians

  • Better reading light
  • Better social conditions
  • No more carbon monoxide fumes from candles and kerosene lanterns
 

Completed projects to date

Following on from the three original projects, the Community Development Fund has assisted the following villages:

Jafai Kuta, Busuara, Kiang Manduar, Jouli, Karantaba, Tujeren Bunkiling, Kanton Kunda, Bajana, Sendeng
 and Janneh Kunda.

 

 

How you can help...

Give a donation.

Personal donations from The Gambia Experience guests will be matched by the company.

Fill out and return your questionnaire.

For every 100 questionnaires returned to the UK the company donates £10.

DONATE ONLINE

 

The village of Kanuma gave us such a warm welcome. They even arranged a Kumpo dance by way of celebration. It was wonderful to see the lights in situ and to hear how they have improved the lives of the villagers. We take light for granted but in rural Africa the reality is very different.

Kathryn Burrington, Marketing