The foundation supports and promotes programmes in the Educational sector, targeted at increasing the number of school-age children in primary-, secondary- and tertiary education, giving special emphasis on those with special needs, particularly in the rural parts of the country.

The Scholarship fund, set up in 1999, was the first programme established under the Jammeh Foundation For Peace. Based on the funds available, needy and deserving students are selected annually for sponsorship by the Foundation.

SELECTION OF STUDENTS

• Orphans and children in female-headed (single parent) households are prioritised,
• Disability or chronic sickness of parents or student,
• Income level of household,
• The total burden of school fees on the family earning,
• examination results of the student to determine performance.

Ø School authorities and representatives of the community (parent-teacher associations) are involved in the selection of the students per school.

Ø An independent committee does final selection and submits the list to the Board of Directors for its consideration and approval. In addition to the selection factors indicated above, the following criteria are considered:

• As poverty exists throughout the country, we aim at equal distribution between the regions.

• The focus for this academic year is on people with special needs. Disabled children, or children of parents with a handicap are given special consideration as well as people living with HIV/AIDS.

• At tertiary level, the focus is on the training of technicians and craftsmen/ women.

Continuation of support from year to year depends on the continued need and the results of the students. Timely submission of the result slips to the JFP office is a requirement for all sponsored students.

ACHIEVEMENTS

To date, the Foundation has contributed to the education of approx. 400 students. These include students at secondary schools but also students studying Electronic Engineering, construction, accounting, tailoring, etc.

Some of these students have now completed their training.

EXPANSION PLANS

The Foundation seeks to increase the number of students being sponsored, especially for craftsmen and technicians.

WHY THE NEED FOR SCHOLARSHIPS FOR CRAFTSMEN AND TECHNICIANS?

Many Gambian children find it difficult to afford their secondary schooling, let alone further education/ training. Various scholarship funds provide support for needy students to enable them to complete their secondary school. Little support is available for further education though. This makes it virtually impossible for the larger part of the students to continue their education.

The result is that most skilled people in the Gambia are foreigners. If you need a chair you will most likely deal with a non Gambian carpenter. Clothes are obtained from a dressmaker, usually a foreigner. This results in a capital flow out of the country rather than the profits being reinvested in Gambian families.

Some students do obtain a scholarship to study abroad. They leave for training purposes, but many dont come back to work in The Gambia.

It is therefore of great importance to support students to learn their skills in The Gambia.

STUDY OPPORTUNITIES IN THE GAMBIA:

There are various institutions in The Gambia where craftsmen and technicians are trained. Some examples are:

• GAMBIA TECHNICAL TRAINING INSTITUTE

Technical courses are provided for electricians, plumbers, construction technicians, carpenters, metal workers, etc.
Exams are taken annually according to the City & Guilds system in England.

• National Youth Service Scheme and various private skill centres provide courses to train tailors and other craftsmen.

The Jammeh Foundation aims at training students in these very important fields. A contract is signed with the selected students to ensure their full commitment and dedication to their studies.

COST PER STUDENT (in Euro) FOR TRAINING IN THE VARIOUS FIELDS:

THE FOUNDATION IS SEEKING YOUR SUPPORT TO INCREASE THE NUMBER OF STUDENTS SPONSORED:

If you are interested to sponsor one or more students for one of the skills mentioned above, we will ensure careful selection and supervision of the sponsored students.

The amount can be paid to the JFP account, either at once or in annual instalments,

If you wish you can state the subject of your choice and the details of the selected student can be provided.