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Better Africa Youth Initiative


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Affiliate Information

Better Africa Youth Initiative empowers young people in The Gambia to make positive, healthy life decisions and to realize their full leadership potential. Formed by students who themselves have been touched by others who believed in their capacity to effect positive change, BAYI runs programs at schools throughout the country focused on helping young people help themselves and those around them.

BAYI’s programs emphasize education and leadership as tools necessary to enhance the quality of life of The Gambia’s citizens. After-school programs begin with teaching students techniques for responsible living through health awareness campaigns, while BAYI-sponsored sports and debate teams provide an outlet for participants to socialize and develop communication and leadership skills. BAYI also works with educators and policy-makers to advance The Gambia’s educational system.

Highly popular after-school programs offer health education to combat widely held – and mistaken – beliefs that exacerbate the country’s already high HIV/ADIS rate, and also include leadership seminars for youths who have exhibited skills demonstrating that they have the capacity to lead and help others. Indeed, participants in BAYI’s programs have gone on to hold important positions in both private and public life in The Gambia.

BAYI also sponsors debate and athletic teams for at-risk youth. Participants benefit from increased self-esteem and develop interpersonal skills necessary to advance in life. In addition, BAYI promotes dialogue between high school and university students and those in positions of influence in the community. These programs introduce students to important potential business contacts, and also highlight the needs of The Gambia’s education system for those in position to help improve them. Other programs include gender equality campaigns and teacher development courses. BAYI also counsels young professionals who want to develop professionally while giving back to their communities.

Affiliate History
BAYI was formed in 2007 by a group of high school students who believed in the power of education and outreach to improve the lives citizens in the impoverished nation of The Gambia. Based in the country’s largest city, Serrekunda, the organization runs multiple programs aimed at providing alternatives to the destructive habits that ensnare so many local youths.

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AFFILIATE COMMUNITY

  • BAYI Students

  • BAYI Students

  • BAYI Students

  • BAYI Students

  • Streets of The Gambia

  • BAYI Students

  • BAYI Students

  • BAYI Students

  • BAYI Students

  • Streets in The Gambia

  • BAYI Students

  • Streets in The Gambia

Latest Projects

Tying and Dying Workshop for Underprivileged Youth | GAMBIA
BAYI plans to host an all-day arts and crafts program, focused on “tying and dying,” for the purpose of providing a creative outlet and encouraging environment for unprivileged...
Cost: $450  To Go: $450  
Teen Extemporaneous Speech Contest | GAMBIA
BAYI will host an Extemporaneous Speech Contest for teens from area high schools, with the purpose of providing a fun, engaging activity that will boost students’ self confidence...
Cost: $710  To Go: $710  
Secondary School Fees for One Student for One Year | GAMBIA
This project is in response to the needs of poor but brilliant student in The Gambia Senior Secondary School. Funding of this project will pay the school fees for one student for a...
Cost: $150  To Go: $150  
Secondary School Fees for One Student for One Month | GAMBIA
This project is in response to the needs of poor but brilliant student in The Gambia Senior Secondary School. Funding of this project will pay the school fees for one student for o...
Cost: $13  To Go: $13  
Inter-school Essay Writing | GAMBIA
A group of selected students from various schools will participate in an essay writing contest. ...
Cost: $500  To Go: $500  
Environment Protection Forum | GAMBIA
BAYI will hold 4 after-school talks at 3 high schools in the capital city of Banjul to inform youths about global climate change and other environmental issues. The science-based ...
Cost: $455  To Go: $405  

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Affiliate country

  • Location: GAMBIA / Northern and Western Africa
  • Language(s): English (official), Mandinka, Wolof, Fula, other indigenous vernaculars
  • Currency: Dalasis
  • Life Expectancy: GAMBIA: 55.35 years | USA: 78.11 years
  • Religion(s): Islam, Christianity, Indigenous Beliefs
  • GDP per capita: USA: $47,400 | GAMBIA: $1,300

Affiliate Tags