By Omar Bah
Faith Morey, the founder of the Okachi Charity Foundation, recently visited Her Excellency Mrs. Fatoumatta Bah-Barrow, the First Lady of The Gambia. During this visit, they engaged in strategic discussions about educational initiatives, key findings from school visits, and potential collaborations between their organizations.
Her Excellency inquired about the challenges faced by the visited schools and explored how the Okachi Charity Foundation (OCF) can further support and enhance educational opportunities for Gambian children. She commended OCF for its impactful work, particularly the adoption of six schools that have benefited over 8,000 children through initiatives such as providing free volunteer teachers, playgrounds, and essential educational resources.
The discussions also centered on a possible partnership between the Okachi Charity Foundation (OCF) and the Fatoumatta Bah-Barrow (FAAB) Foundation, which advocates for education, women’s health, children’s welfare, and community development. A key focus was aligning efforts to expand access to quality education and social support.
Notable initiatives from Gambia’s educational system that could be adapted to enhance learning outcomes were highlighted, including:
1. Girls’ Education Sponsorships: Providing essential materials to encourage and sustain girls’ enrollment in school.
2. Free School Transportation: This ensures that no child has to walk more than three miles to school, thus removing attendance barriers.
3. School Feeding Program: This program offers nutritional assistance to low-income students to improve their focus and learning capacity.
OCF expressed its commitment to integrating these insights into its 2025 Summer School Program and sharing findings with the Commissioner of Education in Port Harcourt to influence policy and practice.
A shared priority from the meeting was the need for enhanced teacher training to better identify and support children with disabilities, fostering a more inclusive and equitable educational environment.
The meeting underscored a mutual dedication to transforming education, empowering children, and promoting sustainable development. Her Excellency’s unwavering commitment to education and social welfare through FAAB inspires and sets a strong foundation for impactful collaborations that will shape the future of countless children.
