INTERNATIONAL YOUTH PROGRAMME
The perfect ‘soft introduction’ to Africa for students, young people and their staff
This is an International Youth Programme for Medway young people aged 16 to 19 years of age
Raising Youth’s CEO has established ongoing partnerships and projects with a breadth of Youth Programmes, Schools, and Nurseries in The Gambia (West Africa) over the past 20 years.
In that time, over 30 joint UK/Gambia projects have been safely and successfully organised for young people. Since 1998, The President’s International Award (PIA) has represented our main partner in The Gambia.
​They have assisted in planning and delivering these joint and collaborative youth-led initiatives.
For the wellbeing of young people, we usually base ourselves at a hotel that has good security for travellers, and we travel daily to our project base at PIA’s HQ in Bakau.
Our project base maintains a vocational skills centre and visiting young people will have the opportunity to meet and work alongside PIA students.
Following a 3-year break (due to the Covid pandemic), Raising Youth will be relaunching this initiative with an February Half-Term 2025 programme, exclusively for young people across Medway (Kent).
We will provide full support in the lead up to the programme and whilst staying in The Gambia. We will:
Provide a JustGiving page
To fundraise for the chosen project and help to raise money against overall costs
Facilitate 4 Planning Meetings
Well in advance of your planned programme departure including one meeting 7 to 10 days prior to your planned programme departure
Host and Organise
Host a carer/parent information evening. Organise medical forms and carer/parent consent. Manage all planning and organisation whilst in The Gambia.
Set up a dedicated Facebook and Whatsapp Group
For young people to receive regular updates and comms prior to and during the programme. We use these platforms to introduce UK and Gambian Counterparts and Gambian Guides to each other prior to ventures taking place, so they can liaise virtually in advance of programme departure
Provide you with:
Branded T-shirts, comprehensive Insurance, risk management information, DBS records and Raising Youth’s policies well in advance of the venture
A BIT ABOUT THE GAMBIA
The Gambia is the oldest English-speaking country in West Africa and gained independence in
1965
The Gambia, often referred to as
‘The Smiling Coast of Africa,’ is the continent’s smallest country
Their official language is English, and another advantage is that The Gambia sits within the same time zone as the UK, meaning no jet lag, and just a
6-hour flight
Most of The Gambia’s
2.5m population
is Muslim, living peacefully alongside smaller Christian communities and other cultural/faith groups.
2022 Report on International Religious Freedom: Gambia, The | U.S Department of State
The banks of the River Gambia have been a hive of activity for centuries, and we have often used its history to educate young people on Black History.
The Gambia presents a fascinating culture and has a climate that is hard to beat. It is a beautiful place to visit, with a remarkable coastline, diverse wildlife, and a welcoming people.
Despite its size, The Gambia is home to more than
540
species of birds, with its exotic wildlife, cultural adventures, diverse cuisine, fabulous beaches, and friendly local people;
The River Gambia was a slave trading post, which has been immortalised by the best-selling book ‘Roots’ by Alex Haley.
The first English settlement was founded on James Island (AKA Kunta Kinteh Island)
COST
The total cost payable is
£1400
A deposit of £400 is required by the end of October 2024 to secure your place and flights.
The remaining £1000 is due by the 22nd December 2024.
DATES
• Monday 21st October 2024- Parent Information Meeting
•Friday 14th February 2025 to Friday 21st February 2025: Provision programme dates
​
• A further programme is planned for July 2025. Dates coming soon.
WHAT NEXT?
Please complete the below form to express your interest and we'll be in touch with more information.