Sue’s Return Trip to The Gambia, March 2024

The VGGP was officially registered and recognized as the “Vermont Gambia Women’s Organization” by The Gambian government this year. Founded in 2017, the VGGP focuses on human-scaled community development to improve the lives and livelihood of people in the Bafuluto Village.  Our sustainable development projects focus on 1) clean water & sanitation; 2) enhancing food security; 3) youth education; and 4) female empowerment and entrepreneurship.

This year we celebrate the opening of EVA’S Learning Center where 42 students receive tutoring in English & math.  Demand currently exceeds our capacity to serve.    

VGGP continues to provide water and land for 14 families to grow food for the people living in their compounds, selling any surplus.  This year we replaced the wire fence around the garden – animals were getting in! Our long-term need is to build a proper block wall to protect the gardens. 

While I was there, Lamin harvested the first fresh coconut from the tree he planted as a seedling 7 years ago; and neighboring kids enjoyed fresh oranges every day from trees he planted.   

The picnic and birding trip to the River on my last day was a highlight. All the way home in the packed van the kids sang! They are saying ‘Every day should be a Sue day!’ Lamin tells me: my heart soars. 

Leaving is always the hardest part, as evidence by the sad-faced friends at my send-off: