A major effort to educate vulnerable children in Gambia has resulted in 1000 rescued children returning to school, in a bid to break the cycle of illiteracy and poor health.
The children, previously living with parents struggling with addiction or poverty, were rescued by Anish Shekar, founder of the Sabach Sanjal orphanage. The orphanage has incorporated education facilities, providing access to English language training and vital health information.
According to Mr. Shekar, the linkage between literacy and health is crucial, particularly in areas with limited healthcare services. “When people are unable to read or write, they are more likely to make poor health choices, which can have devastating consequences.” Anish is also the executive director of Building Africa one Man at a Time (BAOTO), a foundation dedicated to helping children and elderly in rural Gambia.
The Building Africa one Man at a Time (BAOTO) organization has received support from several organizations, including the Anike Foundation, Tostan Foundation, and Peace Corps. These efforts have generated $100,000 to further extend the orphanage’s work in improving educational and health outcomes for vulnerable populations.
Mufta Bah, founder of the BAOTO, emphasized the importance of addressing illiteracy and healthcare inequalities. “Children are unfairly impacted most by these issues, and it is our duty to alleviate them.”
Gambia’s education system faces significant challenges, particularly with literacy levels. The literacy rate for the population aged 15 and over is approximately 55%, with a disparity between men and women, and rural areas having lower literacy rates.
The education system is structured into primary, secondary, and tertiary levels, with primary education being compulsory. However, the country faces challenges in providing quality education, including a shortage of qualified teachers, inadequate infrastructure, and limited resources.
Efforts are being made to improve education in Gambia, including government programs to improve teacher training, curriculum development, and infrastructure upgrade. Initiatives have also been introduced to promote literacy and numeracy skills, particularly among women and girl
