Unique Foundation

01/05/2026

We are delighted to share highlights from a special outreach activity carried out last week.

We had the pleasure of welcoming friends of our organisation from Portugal. Ms. Maria, who previously visited and volunteered with Unique Foundation alongside her friend Ms. Fernanda, returned once again, this time accompanied by Dr. Luis and Ms. Filomena, both dedicated medical professionals.

On Monday, 27th April, in collaboration with community leaders in Kwinella Village, Kiang Central (Lower River Region, The Gambia), and the team at the community health facility, our visitors carried out impactful outreach activities. Dr. Luis and the team conducted sensitisation sessions on diabetes and hypertension, alongside free medical screenings for members of the community.

Essential medicines and other health materials were generously donated to the community health centre to support ongoing care. In addition, learning materials were donated to the community primary school to support education.

We are grateful for this meaningful collaboration and the opportunity to support communities beyond our immediate base, as we continue working together to improve health and education outcomes.

27/04/2026

APPLICATIONS CLOSING TONIGHT!

Thank you to everyone who has applied to our Second Chance Education Programme at Unique Foundation (The Gambia), supported by The Queen Elizabeth II Commonwealth Trust.

Please note: Applications will officially close at 10:00 PM tonight.

We are truly encouraged by the number of applications received so far and the interest shown in this life-changing opportunity.

After the deadline, our team will begin the shortlisting process, and all applicants will be contacted, whether or not they are selected for this phase.

As a reminder, this programme offers:
- Support for WAEC (WASSCE) exam registration fees for selected participants
- Starter tools and livelihood kits for some vocational training participants
- Tuition-free access to education, skills training, and exam preparation

Thank you once again for your interest and commitment to building a brighter future.

Stay tuned for updates, and we wish all applicants the very best!

26/04/2026

22% of participants in our Second Chance Education Programme will receive support to pay for WAEC (WASSCE) examination registration fees.
20% of participants in vocational skills training will receive starter tools and livelihood kits to help them start earning after the programme.

Applications are now open for Phase 2 of the Second Chance Education Programme at Unique Foundation, supported by The Queen Elizabeth II Commonwealth Trust.

This programme is designed for young women and girls who were unable to complete their education due to challenges such as financial difficulties, family responsibilities, or other life circumstances, as well as girls in Grade 12 who are struggling academically.

We are currently accepting applications for:

- Second Chance Education
- Remedial Education
- Exam Preparation for WASSCE
- Vocational Skills Training

If you:

- Had to stop school before completing your education,
- Finished Grade 12 but cannot enter university yet, or
- Need support to prepare for WASSCE

this programme is for you.

The programme is tuition-free and aims to support participants in the Kanifing Municipal Council, West Coast Region, The Gambia.

Do not miss this opportunity to return to learning and improve your future.

👉 Apply here: https://www.uniquefoundationgambia.org/register/

Spaces are limited, so apply as soon as possible.

Unique Foundation (UF) The Gambia is a civil-society organisation founded and incorporated in 2014 under the 2013 Companies Act of the Republic of the Gambia, with

14/04/2026

We are thrilled to announce the launch of Phase 2 of our Second Chance Education Programme at Unique Foundation, with support from The Queen Elizabeth II Commonwealth Trust. This impactful programme was first piloted in 2024 with the support of the Commonwealth of Learning.

The Second Chance Education Programme is at the heart of our mission to ensure that no woman or girl is left behind. It is specially designed for those who, due to financial constraints, family responsibilities, or personal challenges, were unable to complete their education during their formal school years.

Through this programme, we provide tailored learning, academic support, and a renewed pathway to education, empowering participants to rebuild confidence, achieve their goals, and create better opportunities for their future.

In this phase, the programme aims to support women and girls in Kanifing Municipal Council, West Coast Region, The Gambia, helping them return to learning and move forward with purpose.

If you are a young woman or girl who had to pause your education, or if you have completed Grade 12 but are unable to gain university admission due to unmet requirements, or if you need support in preparing to sit the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE), the Second Chance Education Programme is here for you.

Do not miss this opportunity to transform your future.
Please complete the registration form below to join our tuition-free Second Chance Education Programme and begin your journey again. https://www.uniquefoundationgambia.org/register/

Spaces are limited, so we encourage you to apply as soon as possible.

Unique Foundation (UF) The Gambia is a civil-society organisation founded and incorporated in 2014 under the 2013 Companies Act of the Republic of the Gambia, with

10/04/2026

We are pleased to be implementing Phase 2 of our Second Chance Education Programme with the support of The Queen Elizabeth II Commonwealth Trust.

This programme is for women and girls aged 16–35 who were unable to complete their schooling. It offers a fresh opportunity to learn and build a better future.

✔ Improve your reading, writing, and maths
✔ Prepare for your secondary school exams
✔ Learn practical skills such as sewing and tie-dye
✔ Some participants will receive support for WAEC registration fees
✔ Some will receive starter tools to begin earning an income

📍 Open to residents of Kanifing Municipal Council and Brikama
💡 The programme is free, but spaces are limited

To learn more and apply, please click the link below:
https://www.uniquefoundationgambia.org/register/

Take this opportunity to grow, learn, and move forward.

08/03/2026

International Women’s Day 2026

Women and girls around the world continue to break barriers and challenge inequality. Together, we must ensure that every woman has the freedom, support, and opportunity to thrive.

Today, we celebrate the strength, resilience, and achievements of women everywhere. Let us continue to stand together to create a world where every woman and girl can learn, lead, and live with dignity and equal opportunity.

08/03/2026

International Women’s Day 2026 – Invest in Women, Transform Communities

Today, we celebrate the strength, resilience, and potential of women and girls everywhere. At Unique Foundation, we believe that when women are given a second chance at education, they don’t just transform their own lives, they uplift families, communities, and future generations.

Our commitment to women’s empowerment has been demonstrated through several impactful initiatives. In 2023, we partnered with the Embassy of Canada to Senegal through the Canada Fund for Local Initiatives (CFLI) to implement the project “Increase Self-Reliance, Build Resilience and Empowerment of Vulnerable Women and Girls in The Gambia through Skills, Education, and Awareness on Women’s Rights and Gender-Based Violence.”

Through this project:

• 85 women and girls gained literacy and digital education.
• Women received practical livelihood training in sewing, knitting, community gardening, and culinary skills.
• 30 women and girls strengthened their digital financial literacy, helping them manage and grow their small businesses.
• Most importantly, we distributed 27 sewing machines and tools to 27 incredible women and girls who excelled in the skills training programme, enabling them to start their own income-generating activities and build independent livelihoods.

These achievements demonstrate that when women are equipped with education, skills, and opportunities, they become powerful drivers of economic growth and social change in their communities.

Building on this success, in November 2024 we piloted a Second Chance Education Programme supported by the Commonwealth of Learning through the COL's GIRLS Inspire initiative. For four months, women and girls who had missed out on education, many of them survivors of gender-based violence and child marriage, returned to the classroom with hope, courage, and determination.

The results were powerful. Participants gained basic literacy and numeracy skills, renewed confidence, and pathways toward further education and economic independence. Communities responded with overwhelming interest, proving that the need for this opportunity is far greater than the spaces we were able to provide.

But many women and girls are still waiting for their chance to learn.

As we mark International Women’s Day, we are preparing for Phase II of the Second Chance Education Programme, which aims to support 120 women and girls aged 16–35 in the Kanifing and Brikama regions. The programme will provide:

- Literacy and remedial education
- Preparation for WASSCE examinations and university admission
- Skills and knowledge to improve economic opportunities
- Agricultural training for women farmers to strengthen food security and income

Our goal is simple but powerful: to restore opportunity where it was once lost.

Educating women is one of the most effective ways to break cycles of poverty, reduce early marriage, and build resilient communities. When a woman learns, her entire family benefits, and the next generation rises with her.

On this International Women’s Day, we invite partners, supporters, and changemakers to stand with us. Your support can help us expand this life-changing programme and ensure that no woman or girl is denied the opportunity to learn, grow, and lead.

Together, we can turn missed opportunities into new beginnings.

🔗 Learn more about the programme:
https://www.uniquefoundationgambia.org/empowerment-of-vulnerable-women-and-girls-in-the-gambia-with-skills-and-education


International Women's Day
Ministry of Gender, Children & Social Welfare
The Queen Elizabeth II Commonwealth Trust

08/03/2026

Celebrating World Book Day – 5th March

Books have the power to open minds, spark imagination, and transform lives. On 5th March, World Book Day, we celebrate the joy of reading and the importance of ensuring that every child has access to books.

Through our Mobile Library and Classroom Libraries initiatives, we are working to place valuable, engaging, and age-appropriate books directly into the hands of children, especially those in schools and communities where access to reading materials is limited. Every book shared is a doorway to knowledge, creativity, and opportunity.

We extend our heartfelt appreciation to all our partners and supporters who have made this possible over the years. Your commitment is helping to nurture a generation of readers, thinkers, and leaders.

“Access to books is not a luxury; it is a pathway to knowledge, imagination, and a brighter future for every child.”

Together, we continue to turn pages, inspire dreams, and build brighter futures, one book at a time. 📖💡

24/01/2026

Happy International Day of Education!

At Unique Foundation (The Gambia), we believe advocacy alone is not enough, we must model the change we advocate. That is why we are prioritising Early Childhood Education as the foundation for lifelong learning, independence, and leadership.

In 2025, one of our key education projects, Bright Minds Innovative International Academy, officially commenced its first classes at nursery level, introducing an impact-driven education model that blends academic excellence with entrepreneurship, digital skills, and problem-solving. Our approach prepares learners not just to pass exams, but to grow into self-reliant individuals, job creators, and future leaders.

We are doing school differently, and we invite you to follow our journey and monitor our work in early learning.

👉 Follow our school on Facebook here:
🔗https://www.facebook.com/BMIIA

24/01/2026

Second Chance Education Programme – Looking Ahead to Phase II

From November 2024 to early 2025, we successfully piloted a four-month Second Chance Education Programme, generously funded by the Commonwealth of Learning (COL) through the COL's GIRLS Inspire initiative.

The programme supported marginalised women and girls, including survivors of gender-based violence and child marriage, by providing them with access to learning opportunities, renewed confidence, and pathways to a better future.

The high demand and strong community interest clearly demonstrated the urgent need to scale this intervention. We are therefore pleased to share that plans are underway to expand the programme in 2026, with preparations already beginning this year.

🔗 Learn more about the project and read our latest newsletter via the link. https://www.uniquefoundationgambia.org/newsletter/
🎥 Watch the video to hear directly from some of the participants of Phase I as they share their heartfelt appreciation, lived experiences, and future aspirations.

Stay tuned as we prepare to launch Phase II of this transformative initiative.

01/01/2026

Welcoming the New Year With Gratitude and Renewed Hope

As we step into a new year, we reflect with deep gratitude on the meaningful ways we closed 2025, together with our partners, supporters, and the communities we serve.

Earlier in 2024, Unique Foundation (The Gambia) implemented a one-day capacity-building training on best practices in horticultural gardening, facilitated by Mr. Tom Senghore, Head of the Horticulture Research Programme. This activity formed part of our project “Gender Equality and Livelihood Empowerment for Women and Girls,” generously funded by the Embassy of Canada to Senegal through the Canada Fund for Local Initiatives (CFLI).

Nearly 30 resilient women from Sami Village and Mayamba Village in the Lower Niumi District benefited from the training and received seeds, fertilizers, and essential gardening tools to strengthen their livelihoods.

On 31st December 2025, as the year came to a close, we had the privilege of visiting these hardworking women once again, providing additional seeds, fertilizers, and basic gardening implements to further support their efforts. Many of these women are widows, while others receive little or no support at home, yet they continue to work tirelessly to put food on the table for their families with dignity and determination.

🙏 This visit was made possible through the generous support of Mr. Arrigo Tiraboschi and his wife, cherished friends of our organization, who supported this initiative while spending their holiday in The Gambia with their two beautiful daughters. We are truly grateful for your kindness and solidarity.

As we begin this New Year, we reaffirm our commitment not only to women’s economic empowerment, but also to improving access to quality education for girls and boys. Through our education and child-focused programmes, we continue to support school retention, literacy, safe learning environments, and holistic development, ensuring that every child has the opportunity to learn, grow, and thrive.

We extend our heartfelt appreciation to all our donors, partners, supporters, team members, volunteers, and community leaders. Your trust and commitment make our work possible.

We enter this new chapter inspired, hopeful, and dedicated to empowering women, girls, and boys, strengthening livelihoods, and building resilient communities.
Thank you for walking this journey with Unique Foundation (The Gambia). We look forward to creating even greater impact together in the year ahead.