UN International Day for the Abolition of Slavery

The Gambia, like other West African countries, has had a long history of slavery, which began in the tenth century. Around three million slaves were taken from the Gambia during the 300 years of the transatlantic slave trade. Slavery was finally abolished in the Gambia in 1906 although modern forms of slavery still persist. The Gambia is one of the world’s poorest countries.

Just one sixth of its land is arable and soil quality is poor, leading to a dependence on one crop – peanuts. The country relies heavily on peanut exports and so it is susceptible to fluctuations in world prices.

A third of Gambians live below the international poverty line of $1.25 a day. Gambia has a high infant mortality rate as well as a high maternal mortality rate. Eradicating poverty and improving food security and nutrition are considered important issues in the country’s development. Other issues are gender equality and ensuring education for all school-age children; in rural areas poverty and cultural factors prevent girls attending school.

Penny Appeal is carrying out the following projects in The Gambia:

• OrphanKind: orphan sponsorships and the set up of an orphanage
• Thirst Relief: provision of wells
• Feed Our World: feeding programmes