Gambia: Community and Government Partnership for Education

In Fuffor Village, a damaged nursery school is becoming a powerful example of what communities can accomplish when they come together to invest in their children.

After a storm damaged Fuffor Nursery School during the last rainy season, World Faith Gambia partnered with the Fuffor Village Development Committee to begin the work of rebuilding. Rather than waiting for outside support to do everything, the community took action itself, bringing young people together to mould the bricks needed to reconstruct the school.

In late March and again in mid April, village youth took part in a community brick moulding exercise made possible by 100 bags of cement donated by two local supporters. The gatherings were about more than construction. Young people also discussed the future of the school and other development priorities in their community.

The effort showed the willingness of local youth to take an active role in shaping the future of their village. By the end of the two exercises, all 100 bags of cement had been used to produce enough bricks to rebuild the damaged classrooms. Now, the community is preparing for the next stage.

World Faith Gambia has already purchased roofing equipment through a World Faith grant, while skilled workers from the village have committed to providing construction and roofing labor free of charge. With these pieces already in place, the reconstruction is within reach.

The rebuilding of Fuffor Nursery School is happening alongside another important development for World Faith Gambia's education work. World Faith Gambia currently operates three nursery schools in partnership with local communities. While these schools have provided valuable educational opportunities, the chapter has faced challenges in meeting the ongoing costs of operating them, including teacher salaries and learning materials.

Recognizing the need for a more sustainable approach, World Faith Gambia began working with the Ministry of Education to explore transitioning the schools from community-owned institutions into public schools. Following discussions and visits to assess the schools, the Ministry has agreed to take over Mango Tree Nursery and Jurunku Nursery School beginning in September 2026.

Fuffor Nursery School presents a different challenge. Because the school was damaged by the storm, the Ministry has indicated that it will need to wait until the infrastructure problem is resolved before taking it over. That makes the reconstruction of Fuffor especially important.

The transition of the nursery schools represents more than a change in management. It offers World Faith Gambia an opportunity to focus its limited resources where they can have the greatest impact.

With the Ministry of Education assuming responsibility for two schools, World Faith Gambia can gradually shift away from the significant costs associated with operating schools and dedicate more energy and resources to interfaith dialogue, peacebuilding, and other community-led initiatives across the country.

Meanwhile, the Fuffor community is showing that it is ready to be an active partner in rebuilding its school. Parents, young people, village leaders, skilled workers, and local supporters have all played a role. The path forward is clear. The bricks are ready, the roofing equipment is available, and local workers are prepared to build. What remains is securing the materials needed to bring the classrooms back to life.

This effort is a reminder that sustainable change begins with local leadership. By investing in Fuffor's children today, and supporting communities as they take ownership of their future, we can help create stronger schools, stronger communities, and a stronger foundation for peace.