GEPADG is a non-profit NGO based in Gunjur in Gambia who have many years of experience in working with international volunteers. They work to achieve long-term, sustainable solutions to poverty in The Gambia through reversing the current destruction of forests, mangroves and coastal ecosystems.
The United Nations conference on the environment and development known as the earth summit held in Rio de Janeiro (Brazil) in 1992 did launch the idea of sustainable development to governments and local communities.
Agenda 21 emerged from this summit, inviting contracting parties to develop their own strategic plans by taking into consideration the sustainable development of the local communities. Responding positively to world leaders’ call for the smooth implementation of the proposed agenda, the Gunjur Environmental Protection and Development Group (GEPADG) was founded in 1992 in the Gambia by Mr Badara N Bajo
The group realized that the only way to succeed with its aims and objectives was to ensure a wider community participation in natural resources management and conservation.
The first ever national conference on the environment at community level in the Gambia was then organized in Gunjur village in February 1998.The Gunjur Environmental Protection and Development Group (GEPADG) are based in Gunjur, The Gambia. We work to achieve long-term, sustainable solutions to poverty in The Gambia through reversing the current destruction of forests, mangroves and coastal ecosystems.
GEPADG is a voluntary grassroots organization based in the rural south –west coast of the Gambia, registered in Banjul as a charitable nonprofit making organization.
It is non partisan, non cross-sectional and non denominational but a genuine Community Based Organisation (CBO) geared towards the enhancement of local community livelihood, ecotourism development for sustainable use of natural resources, Community forestry scheme and Beekeeping, agro-forestry and women vegetable gardening, rural micro-finance sub projects.GEPADG has been accredited by the Global Environment Facility GEF in Washington, USA and the UN.
At present GEPADG in partnership with the state department of parks and wildlife management (DPWM) has successfully launched and implemented GEF / World Bank integrated coastal and marine biodiversity management project (ICAM) which led to the establishment of the Bolongfenyo as the first community wildlife reserve in the Gambia under the management of the GEPADG and the local community.
Global Environment Facility/GEF through World Bank is the principal funding agency and WWF as a counterpart funding agency.
WHO CAN VOLUNTEER?
If you are over the age of 17 and can commit to one week or more you can join us in The Gambia to volunteer for GEPADG.
WHERE WILL I BE?
You will be staying in Gunjur in the Kombo South District, of the West Coast Region, in the southwest coastal strip of The Gambia, in West Africa. It has an estimated population of 27,000 made up of mostly Mandinka, Fula, Wolof, Serer Karoninka, Senegalese and other ethnic grouos, mainly employed in artisanal fisheries and farming. The settlement is 10 kilometres from Sanyang and 39 kilometres by road from the capital of Banjul. About 3km from the main town, and on the coast, is the bustling fishing village with its fish smoking houses and rows of multi-coloured African pirogues. North of the fish centre the beaches are excellent for miles.
