THE GAMBIA: New project aims to decrease migration for youth
At-risk youth gain stable employment in their communities
(MissionNewswire) The Don Bosco 2000 Association has expanded its commitment in Africa with the launch of the Beteya Guinar project in The Gambia. The project provides a pathway to fight against irregular migration via an integrated supply chain for breeding and distributing chickens. Youth at risk of emigration will receive specific training, develop professional skills and find stable employment in their communities of origin.
This project comes after the positive results of a similar project in Tambacounda, Senegal, which received support from the Fondazione Opera Don Bosco Onlus in Milan, Italy and Opera Don Bosco Mondo in Lugano, Switzerland. The project in Senegal trained three youth who are now engaged in the management of the business.
Agostino Sella, president of Don Bosco 2000 Association, said, “We are excited to extend the project in The Gambia. The goal is to build a self-sufficient system that offers concrete perspectives to young people, preventing forced departures and promoting local development.”
The initiative works to ensure access to quality food products for local communities while strengthening the economic and social fabric. As in Senegal, technological innovations will be introduced in The Gambia with new sales methods to improve the quality of the services offered.
Sella added, “For us, the relationship with Salesian foundations is fundamental to support activities in Africa. We wish to deeply thank the foundations in Lugano and Milan, which allow us to carry out innovative projects. Thanks to their support, we can continue to build bridges of solidarity and promote a better future for communities.”
The Beteya Guinar project is one of the many elements of the Don Bosco 2000 Association’s commitment in Africa, which began in 2016 and grew thanks to the contribution of international partners and the enthusiasm of youth taking part in the projects.
The World Bank has noted that with increasing labor incomes and decreasing inflationary pressure the extreme poverty rate dropped to 15.5% in 2024 in The Gambia. There remain struggles in the labor market leading to accelerating migration, including low labor-force participation, especially among young adults and women, few high-productivity job opportunities, and a widespread informal labor market.
The World Bank has further noted that while The Gambia made progress toward better living standards, large disparities remain. Access to water, electricity and other services rose for those of a middle income bracket while the poorest saw no improvements. Access to electricity and water remained below 20%.
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Sources:
ANS Photo (usage permissions and guidelines must be requested from ANS)
World Bank – Gambia
