An overview of our projects!
Project: Administration
Who?
David Camara, a 43-year-old man from the village of Jiboro Kutu.
Disability
David has a spinal cord injury resulting from a severe accident. He is completely dependent on a wheelchair.
Tasks
During the day, David works part-time as a teacher at the school for disabled children. For Small Steps 2 Success, he will handle various administrative tasks, including providing regular updates about clients and managing salary payments for workers, such as those involved in the Farm Project in Jiboro.
Financial Accountability
David receives a monthly salary from sponsorship funds. Unlike other clients, David will remain employed by the foundation after 18 months due to his unique situation, which cannot be transferred to another worker. We are pleased to offer this opportunity to David!
Project: Assistant Caretaker
Who?
Louie Sambou, a 24-year-old man.
Disability
Louie has Down syndrome.
Tasks
Louie will support the caretaker at his own school (Methodist School Kanifing). His duties include assisting children, especially those in wheelchairs, with boarding and alighting from the school bus. He will also help keep the school grounds clean.
Financial Accountability
Louie receives a monthly salary from sponsorship funds.
Project: Assistant in the Health Center
Who?
Karim, a 22-year-old young man from Mandinaba.
Disability
Karim is hearing impaired.
Tasks
Since October 1, 2024, Karim has been working at the Health Center in Jiboro. He works three half-days a week assisting with wound cleaning and dressing. In the mornings, he continues to attend the school for the deaf.
Partner Organization
Care Foundation The Gambia.
Financial Accountability
Karim has a dedicated sponsor for 18 months.
Project: Education
Who?
Nyima Saidy, a 22-year-old young woman from Kanifing.
Disability
Nyima developed severe juvenile arthritis in 2019, which causes significant pain and rendered her unable to finish school. She is entirely dependent on a wheelchair.
Tasks
For Nyima, it is crucial to reconnect with the outside world, as her life has become very isolated. Unfortunately, completing her final school exams is not feasible due to the demands of full-time education and long travel times. Together, we decided she would take a short three-month course (twice a week) at MDI, near her home. This course will enable her to perform online administrative tasks in the future.
Financial Accountability
Through a fundraising campaign, a laptop essential for her studies was purchased. The foundation also funds her internet subscription and covers transport costs with a dedicated taxi driver.
Project: Working on the Farm
Who?
Wury Bah, a 26-year-old young man from Talokoto. He was nominated by the Talokoto Foundation.
Disability
Wury has Down syndrome.
Activities
Wury started working on the farming project in Jiboro in March 2023. Vegetable beds have been laid out and fruit trees planted on the premises of the school for disabled children in Jiboro. Wury is being trained in caring for the plants and trees, learning to use fertilizer and pest control, and will also be involved in selling the produce at the local market.
Financial accountability
Wury receives a small salary for his work on the farm. Additionally, all costs for materials, seeds, fertilizer, and weed control are covered by the project. Lastly, Maam, a woman from Jiboro village, is compensated for preparing lunch for all workers.
Who?
Fatoumatta, a young woman from Basori.
Disability
Fatoumatta has Down syndrome.
Activities
Fatoumatta also works on the farming project in Jiboro.
Financial accountability
From the sponsorship funds, Fatoumatta receives a monthly salary and a daily lunch.
Project: University
Who?
Bintu Sanneh
Disability
Bintu has a visual impairment. She encounters numerous obstacles in obtaining her diploma, especially at the university. Lectures are often not easily accessible to people with visual impairments. Due to her disability, she is not always taken seriously by those around her. This makes finding a job particularly challenging, which is why the foundation aims to support her.
Activities
Bintu is currently studying at the MDI (Management Development Institute).
Collaboration
The foundation has established a good working relationship with the MDI. The university acknowledges that more needs to be done to integrate people with disabilities.
Financial accountability
The foundation closely monitors Bintu’s progress and will assist her in finding a job. She has already received a laptop for her studies, sponsored by a donor in the Netherlands.
Project: Construction
Who?
Kalilou, a 20-year-old young man from Busumbala. He lives in his family compound. Kalilou enjoys physical work and has a passion for drumming!
Disability
Kalilou has Down syndrome.
Activities
Kalilou has been hired by a contractor from his hometown. The contractor is willing to train him with the aim of offering him permanent employment after the sponsorship period. Currently, Kalilou is involved in making cement blocks, ensuring the correct ratio of sand, cement, and water. The mixture is poured into molds and left to harden. This is an important responsibility, as good-quality cement blocks are essential for construction!
Financial accountability
The contractor receives compensation from sponsorship funds during the first six months due to the intensive training required. Kalilou receives a small allowance in these initial months. After six months, both Kalilou and the contractor will receive equal payments. After a year, Kalilou will receive a larger portion, while the contractor’s share will decrease. After 1.5 years, the sponsorship will end, and if all goes well, Kalilou will be permanently employed by the contractor.
Project: Assistant at the Methodist School
Who?
Anna Marie, a 29-year-old young mother from Churchill’s Town, Serekunda. She is the mother of a three-year-old girl and lives with her parents.
Disability
Anna Marie has a mental disability.
Activities
Anna Marie will assist at the Methodist School in Kanifing with cleaning and meal preparation.
Special note
Anna Marie is an athlete who participated in the Special Olympic Games in Germany, where she competed in the 100m and 200m races.
Financial accountability
Anna Marie receives a monthly salary from the sponsorship funds.
Project: Microcredit
Who?
Mariama Diba and her husband Ousman, living in Bakau with their three children. Both parents lost their jobs due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The family has been nominated for support by the foundation All Children to School.
Disability
Both Ousman and Mariama have hearing impairments. Two of their three children are also hearing impaired.
Activities
In March 2023, Mariama and Ousman started selling local products such as vegetables and food items at the Bakau market. Mariama manages the stand in the mornings, and her husband takes over in the afternoons. Ousman also recently started a small cleaning job. This setup allows the family to earn enough to sustain themselves. The mentioned foundation covers the children’s school fees.
Financial accountability
A microcredit has been provided through sponsorship funds. This credit covers the costs of a lockable and waterproof market stall, as well as permits and annual rent. The family will repay half of the loan in installments.
Who?
Alieu Bittaye
Disability
Double leg amputation, walks with prosthetics and crutches.
Project
Poultry farming: buying and selling chickens and selling eggs. Alieu has prior experience with this but needed additional support to establish a sustainable business. Exciting news: the first eggs have already been laid!
Financial accountability
Alieu Bittaye has received a microcredit to start his own business. This amount was funded by a sponsor from the Netherlands.
Special note
Alieu also plays an important role within OSDIVI, supporting and motivating others in the foundation.
Who?
Lamin Kinteh
Disability
Visual impairment.
Project
Buying and selling charcoal and firewood. With the microcredit, Lamin can afford to purchase larger quantities at a lower cost, enabling higher profit margins.
Financial accountability
Lamin Kinteh has received a microcredit to start his business. This amount was provided by a sponsor in the Netherlands.
Special note
Lamin depends heavily on his young son due to his visual impairment. Despite his schooling, the son often has to assist Lamin, highlighting the reliance people with visual impairments have on family members.
Who?
Ebrima Sarr
Disability
Multiple physical disabilities and a speech impairment.
Project
Online clothing sales. Ebrima had already built a customer base but lacked the capital to stock inventory. With this credit, he can now purchase higher-quality clothing at better prices.
Financial accountability
Ebrima Sarr has received a microcredit to establish his business. This funding was made possible by a Dutch sponsor.
Special note
Ebrima is married to a woman who also has a disability, meaning this microcredit benefits two people directly.
Who?
Mariama Kasama, a 19-year-old woman from Tanji
Disability
Hearing impairment
Project
Mariama will reopen a shop at her family compound, which was previously run by her grandmother before it fell into disrepair after her passing. With the microcredit, she will renovate the shop (repair the floor and make the roof watertight) and then sell products like sugar, tea, and coffee. Her older sister will assist her, and Ibu from the foundation will provide regular visits and guidance.
Financial accountability
Mariama Kasama has received a microcredit to start her business. This funding was provided by a sponsor in the Netherlands.
Renovation and Sales
Up to 2/5 of the credit will be used for the shop’s renovation, while the remainder will cover the purchase of goods for sale.
Extra Information
Mariama was referred by the Future for Young People foundation from Tanji, who will also support her in building a successful business.
Who?
Mr. Njie, a 61-year-old father from Tanji
Disability
Amputation of the right arm, which prevented him from continuing his job as a teacher.
Project
Mr. Njie has received a microcredit to start a business raising goats and rams, which are sold during special occasions like Naming Ceremonies, weddings, Tobaski, and after Ramadan. The proceeds from this business allowed him to start a small poultry farm.
Partnering Organization
Mr. Njie was referred by Petra van den Heuvel from the Future for Young People foundation in Tanji.
Financial accountability
Mr. Njie has received a microcredit for his business, provided by a Dutch sponsor.
Who?
Lamin Sambou, a 48-year-old man from Tujereng
Disability
Because of wrong injections in his youth, he became crippled. He walks tirelessly on two walking crutches through Tujereng on his way to work in a garden.
Work
He has come to us to discuss the possibility of micro credit. He would now like to start growing the young coconut plants and avocado trees. On the property near a garden where he works, there is fortunately water available. He will use the -limited- credit to purchase the young plants, for a water hose, fertilizer and pesticides. He expects to make the first sale within 6-9 months. And it’s true: coconut plants and avocado trees are expensive in The Gambia, so there is a profit to be made.
Financial accountability
Lamin Sambou received a micro credit for starting his own business. This amount was raised by a sponsor in the Netherlands.
Who?
Fatou Jabang, a woman from Tujereng village.
Disability
She was a teacher in Tujereng, but due to an illness, her legs became paralyzed so she can no longer walk.
Work
She does not see a return to teaching. Still, it is someone who does look for other job opportunities herself. She had already started selling coal and firewood (here people still really cook on coal and wood). But that is all “small, small.” A small loan from our foundation allows her to have a big truck come in with firewood and coal, so she pays less and has a bigger profit margin.
Financial Accountability
Fatou has received a micro credit. A sponsor has been found for Fatou in the Netherlands.
Project: Cleaning
Who?
Tida, a young woman aged 28 from Tujereng and still living in her family compound.
Disability
Tida has a mild intellectual disability.
Work
Tida has gained experience in cleaning in a compound and at the local Community Center in Tujereng. She will now work as a cleaner at the local hospital in Tujereng.
Financial accountability
From the sponsorship funds, Tida receives a monthly salary. Materials such as broom and bucket have also been purchased.
Who?
Marie, a 26-year-old young woman from Kololi
Disability
Marie has Down syndrome. Marie is a very warm-hearted person and also a real “cuddle queen”.
Work
In the compound where she lives, we had a good conversation with her mother and her sister. We looked at what Marie could do. It turns out that she is good at cleaning and can also help with laundry. She herself would also like to cook. We were able to find a place for her at Second Home (with which we cooperate) to help with cleaning and laundry during the day. Possibly in time she can also help with cooking. For now for two days a week for three hours. Together with her sister, she was at her workplace and we were able to finalize everything. Marie has now started.
Cooperating organization
She was nominated by a Dutch woman who knew her from another foundation. We are in good communication with Second Home where she now works.
Financial responsibility
Marie receives a salary for her work. A permanent sponsor has been found for this for the period
Project: Garden Maintenance
Who?
Edrissa Fofana, a 29-year-old man from Kartong.
Disability
He has a physical disability of left leg and arm.
Work
A workplace has been found for Edrissa at Ria Rugge’s lodge in Kartong. Three times a week he goes there from his village Kartong and supports Omar in maintaining the garden. And because the lodge is a bit further away from the main road, we gave him a bicycle on loan. By now he is quite settled there and known as Edy King!
Cooperating organization
Edrisa is nominated by OSDIVI, an interest group for people with disabilities.
Financial accountability
Edrissa receives a monthly salary based on days worked. A permanent sponsor has been found in the Netherlands for this purpose.
A bicycle has been provided to Edrissa on loan.Disability