The Gambia

The Gambia is the smallest (non-island) African country, stretching 300 miles East to West and only 15-30 miles North to South.  Senegal engulfs three sides of The Gambia, and the Atlantic Ocean serves as the western boundary.  The Gambia River runs throughout the entire length country and is vital to all its ecosystems that provide fascinating flora and wildlife.  Few wild animals are native to the area, but wildlife parks and nature reserves are homes to monkeys, baboons, leopards, antelope, warthogs, hippos, hyenas and many rare birds.  The country’s is also known for its coastal beaches the ancestral village of Jufureh (Juffure) home of Kunta Kinte – the main character in Alex Haley’s novel Roots.
 
The Gambia has a tropical climate that includes intense rain from June-October (50” rain annually) with temperatures above 80°F.  The dry season is cooled by northeastern winds known as the “harmattan” with temperatures around 75°F.  Gambia has very few exploited minerals and imports oil to meet its energy needs.  Many villages operate without electrical power and other modern infrastructure.
 
Gambia is one of the most densely populated African countries with a population of 2.7 million people where 17% of the population lives in extreme poverty with a daily income equivalent to less than $2.15 USD.  There are a few towns located near the coast, but most Gambians live in rural villages.  Much of the Gambian economy is centered on growing and harvesting peanuts.  Other agricultural crops include cassava, yams, eggplant, tomatoes, rice and lentils.  There are also citrus orchards in the western region near the capital city of Banjul.
 
Many of the people groups in Gambia have migrated to the area to escape the Sudanic wars of the 12th century.  These people groups include Diola (Jola), Malinke, Wolof, Fulani and Soninke.  English is the official language, but many villages use their own dialect.  The dominate religion is Muslim with a small number of Christians – primarily Roman Catholic.  The Infant mortality rate in Gambia is among the highest of the western Africa countries.  The population is young, with two-thirds under age 30.  The population has continued to grow from those fleeing past conflicts from places such as Senegal, Liberia and Sierra Leone.
 
The overall health and wellness of the Gambian people is poor.  Inadequate sanitation is a problem for more than half of the population.  One-third of the people do not have access to safe drinking water.  Malaria, parasitic diseases and tuberculosis are common health problems.  HIV/AIDS rates are better than many other African countries but remains prevalent in younger women.  The primary hospital services are located in Banjul, whereas the rest of the country is limited to sparse medical clinics and health centers.
 
Please consider joining Missions Partners for Christ in providing a 4-day medical clinic for the unreached and underserved people of Gambia.  Use your gifts, talents and resources to serve God’s by sharing His love, His healing powers and His gift of salvation to these people in need.  In so doing, you will receive God’s blessing, strengthen your faith, meet some incredible people and maybe even witness God’s healing powers firsthand.

**** I'm sorry but all non-medical spaces for this trip are FULL. We hope that you will register to join us in 2026. 

 For more information/questions regarding this trip, please contact us: [email protected]

Please note: First-time volunteers will be required to have a one-on-one debrief meeting with founder Sheri Postma to discuss experiences from the trips as well as any concerns or questions you may have before being approved for any followup mission trips. This is to ensure that our volunteers have the most positive experience over all.