Faith Morey visits The Gambia, strengthens educational partnerships

Founder, Okachi Charity Foundation, Faith Morey, was in The Gambia recently on a courtesy visit. During her time there, she had an insightful meeting with Dr. Habibatou Drammeh, Minister of Education, and Betty Saine, CEO of FAAB, the Foundation of Her Excellency, Fatoumatta Bah-Barrow, First Lady of The Gambia. The meeting underscored the collective commitment to improving early age educational access, teacher training, and student welfare.

Key discussions and outcomes during the meeting centered on Enhancing Teacher Training and Special Needs Education by recognizing the need for inclusive education, training teachers to identify and support students with special needs to ensure no child is left behind.

Plans were explored for a collaboration with a school in Kano, integrating Arabic and English curricula to provide students with both religious and academic education, broadening their opportunities. A strong emphasis was also placed on increasing school attendance among female students, with discussions on sponsorship programs to support their enrollment in academic-focused institutions. The importance of respecting local cultural and religious values while advancing education was highlighted, ensuring that programs are adaptable and community-driven.

The continued support and expansion of the Maestro Education Program was discussed, particularly addressing how cultural and religious contexts influence curriculum development. And as part of its ongoing commitment, Okachi Charity Foundation (OCF) donated £473 to further the Maestro Education Program’s efforts. Strategies were also explored on how to leverage local leaders as a bridge between OCF and schools in Kano, fostering trust and deeper community involvement in education.

The Ministry of Education’s initiative to develop an educational app—tailored to students’ learning needs—was discussed as a transformative tool to enhance personalised learning. It was also discussed that the Ministry of Education reported a 53 per cent increase in returning students over the past year, a significant achievement given Nigeria’s broader challenge of 20 million out-of-school children.

Looking ahead, OCF outlined its commitment to reducing dropout rates through initiatives such as
Summer school programs, Therapy and mentorship sessions, Playgrounds and recreational facilities and Community-based educational incentives. Inclusive of this approach are plans to introduce free medical services in schools, focusing on eye and ear care, mirroring a successful program that has already benefited 2,500 children in Lagos.

This high-level engagement reinforced the shared mission of the OCF, FAAB Foundation and the Gambian Ministry of Education, ensuring that every child, regardless of background, has access to quality education, healthcare and opportunities for a brighter future.

The meeting concluded with a mutual commitment to sustained collaboration, policy influence and on-the-ground impact to uplift vulnerable communities through education.