Liverpool YMCA

Economic Climate

The Gambia is one of the poorest countries in the world. It has a total population of 1,038,145 with a growth rate of 4.2%, which is the highest in the sub-region. The agricultural sector however plays an important role in the Gambian economy as it contributes a substantial amount of foreign exchange and public revenue. It serves as a source of livelihood for about 75% of the population and contributes about 20% of GDP. This is followed by tourism that is the fastest growing industry, contributing 12% of GDP and constituting the largest source of formal non - farming employment. Horticulture and fisheries are also important and potential areas of the Gambian economy, which are growing.

 Neglect of young people's training needs has led to economic inactivity for the vast majority of the young population in The Gambia, therefore leading to very high levels of poverty, unemployment and underemployment.

The youth are defined as all young Gambian men and women aged between 13 - 30yrs. This group constitutes 47.1% of the population (2003 census). The socio-economic climate of the country (low level education, low status of women and girl child and poverty) has left the Gambian youths faced with a number of problems such as: -

- Inadequate access to basic training.
- Lack of access to credit and micro - finance facilities
- Inadequate entrepreneurship skills
- Inadequate training opportunities for school dropouts and out of school youths
- Low agricultural crop production and hence low earning from the agricultural sector.
- High prevalence of sexually transmitted infections including HIV/AIDS
- Early marriage resulting in teenage pregnancy, unwanted pregnancy and high population growth.
- Attitudinal problems of the young people, job selective and dominance of the informal sector by foreigners.

 Project Proposal   

 The Gambia YMCA's project is addressing the twin challenges of poverty and social exclusion amongst vulnerable and disadvantaged young people in both rural and urban areas of the Gambia but with particular emphasis to Rural Gambia and specifically the Region of URR - Basse. It also seeks to enhance the contributions of the Liverpool YMCA in addressing the challenges of poverty alleviation and raising awareness of the need for improved and increased livelihood.

The successful implementation of this project will contribute significantly towards the attainment of the objectives of the Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper (PRSP) of the Government of The Gambia and the United Nations Millenium Development Goals (MDG's)

The aim of the project is to reduce poverty and increase the livelihood for young people in Upper River Region - Basse and Environs.

It aims to create a viable training opportunity for 150 young people between the ages of 18 and 35 (50 per year) in bee-keeping techniques and the subsequent sale and marketing of its products - honey, to enable them to improve their income and be gainfully engaged.