Gunjur Project

13/05/2026

Today our team attended Nurse Day at Gunjur Health Centre where mothers bring their babies for vaccinations and regular weighing sessions. It was a busy and important weekly community event, giving us the opportunity to speak with women directly about the growing problem of disposable nappies in The Gambia.

Our project in partnership with RedCentros Gesplan - Gestión y Planeamiento Territorial y Medioambiental, S.A. EU International Partnerships Dandeng Kulledeng - The Gambia Wildlife Foundation and Department of parks and wildlife management (DPWM) we have been looking at the negative impact of plastic in our community. Last week on our field trip to landfill sites we observed hundreds of disposable nappies.

Our team discussed today how a single use disposable nappy can take approximately 300-550 years to breakdown in a landfill site and are increasingly ending on the streets, in waterways and around our communities.

During the session, we introduced reusable nappies from Bambino Mio donated by Laura Watkin in the UK, alongside baby clothes donated by Aldert Glas and Multipercussion. These items were distributed to mothers attending the event.

We shared information and distributed reusable nappies to 68 women and together, we did the maths.

If one baby uses 5 disposable nappies per day, at a cost of GMD12 each:

* GMD60 per day
* GMD420 per week
* GMD1,800 per month
* GMD10,800 over 6 months

If 68 women choose reusable nappies instead of disposable nappies, together they could potentially save:

GMD734,400 in just 6 months.

At the same time, they could prevent approximately 61,200 disposable nappies from entering landfill sites, streets, compounds, beaches, waterways, and the environment.

In a country where many families are fighting for every dalasi, why are we throwing money away on disposable nappies that create long-term environmental damage?

Today we came together to support 68 women with practical alternatives that can reduce waste, save money, and protect our communities for the future.

Small changes can create big impact.

12/05/2026

Happy 17th Birthday CharlieAlagi Ringstead - 17 years ago you were born here at Gunjur Project - time flies so fast 💫 Tomorrow you leave us for a summer in UK - you will be missed!

10/05/2026

Following on from yesterday’s food safety training, the Weekend Study Group students reflected on and recalled their learning from the previous day. They then explored the kitchen, looking at areas such as food storage, chopping boards, and general food safety practices.

We also held a vote to decide what to bake next week. The choices were fairy cakes, biscuits or banana loaf. The students voted unanimously for banana loaf.

10/05/2026

Yesterday we financially sponsored a community health outreach conducted by Gunjur Youths for Health. Together, 107 people were screened and supported through the initiative, helping families access important health information and services within the community.

09/05/2026

Another fantastic weekend at Gunjur Project community hub 🌍💚

Our older students joined the team at Gunjur Youth for Health conducting health screenings at Gunjur Market, funded by Gunjur Project. This gave the students valuable insight into health careers and hands-on experience supporting the local community.

Our Primary 6, 7 and 8 students began their 6-week catering course 🍴👩🏾‍🍳 The course started with a food safety workshop led by our head chef, Sulayman Sabally. Students learned about food safety, food-borne illnesses, hygiene and the importance of hand washing in the kitchen.

Meanwhile, our younger students continued their environmental plastic project ♻️🐠 Building on previous weeks, they created a beautiful marine life collage showing how plastic waste affects sea animals and ocean life. When asked how they could help protect the environment, every student agreed to say NO to plastic straws 👏

A wonderful start to the weekend of learning, creativity and community action.

We really believe that our young people are the future - By building skills, confidence and awareness through practical learning, we are helping to create brighter opportunities for the our future leaders.

06/05/2026

06/05/2026

Two full-on weeks of powerful drumming - connection and community action ❤️

Multipercussion May 2026 — filled with rhythm, friendship, learning, support and impact.

Together we have supported:
✨ Sheik Hatab School roofing project
✨ Feeding program support for children
✨ Support for teachers for the year ahead and support for headteachers diploma training
✨ Support for students and nurses, including a nurse diploma sponsorship
✨ Malaria awareness and health support programs
✨ Community growth through music, culture, and unity

For 14 years we have continued taking action together — building relationships, sharing knowledge, creating opportunities, and supporting communities side by side.

A huge THANK YOU to everyone who joined, donated, drummed, volunteered, encouraged, and believed in this work. None of this happens alone.

Aldert Glas Janet van Wegen Dinie Holtslag Kirsten van Eijk Yvonne Snel

06/05/2026

🔥 What a last night performance for Aldert Glas and the group! An unforgettable cultural performance filled with energy and talent. From dancing and acrobats to fire-eating acts, every moment was absolutely amazing. 🎭✨🔥

05/05/2026

We successfully delivered our Plastic Waste Education – Training of Trainers workshop on 2nd and 3rd May 2026 in Gunjur whilst our students were out in their field trip.

Participants from Gunjur Senior Secondary School, Rise Up Gambia, and Gunjur Project Association came together to build their knowledge and skills as peer educators, ready to take action in their communities.

Led by Brendan Ringstead cofounder of Gunjur Project and Kassim Bojang (Plastic Education Lead), the training focused on understanding plastic pollution and practical ways to raise awareness and drive change.

This is just the beginning — our trained educators are now preparing to spread the message and lead community action on plastic waste 💪🌱

03/05/2026

After last weekend’s beach clean-up, where we saw firsthand the waste washing up on our shores, we took our weekend study group on a learning journey to understand where it all begins.

We started at the Gunjur dump site and continued to Kartong, observing how waste is disposed of between land and water. From household rubbish to fishing nets and items from mechanic workshops, we noticed similar patterns in both places—highlighting how everyday activities contribute to the bigger problem.

We then headed to Doudou’s riverside for a short break before exploring the river by boat. With the high tide, there wasn’t much visible plastic, but the experience was eye-opening as we appreciated the birdlife and the importance of protecting these ecosystems.

Earlier today, the group worked on report writing to capture their findings—turning observation into knowledge and action.