CorpsAfrica/Gambia held its first Pitch Day event at Jama Hall, Kairaba Beach Hotel, which is known for hosting prestigious events. The event attracted 100 attendees, including 11 volunteers, their 11 counterparts, 9 staff members, development partners, media houses, family, and friends. Additionally, the event was live-streamed online for a broader audience. The U.S. Embassy and Green Up Gambia were notable development partners in attendance.
The event aimed to raise funds for volunteer community projects, increase visibility for CorpsAfrica, educate development partners and the public about CorpsAfrica’s approach, and explore potential partnerships and developmental support.
As CorpsAfrica/Gambia marks its first year of operations, this Pitch Day was the first official event for the inaugural cohort of Volunteers. 7 out of 11 Volunteers were selected to pitch their projects, and all Volunteers presented their projects during the Project Showcasing portion of Pitch Day. Projects pitched encompassed the CorpsAfrica/Green initiative, which focuses on combating climate change and its detrimental effects on Africa’s rural communities.
Tida and her counterpart Muhammed from Santanto Bubu, pitched their Community Water Supply Improvement project to the audience. With the imminent effects of climate change, options are limited for collecting potable water in Santanto Bubu. To create another water source, Tida worked with her community to build a new borehole. So far, the community has contributed 39,000 GMD and sought 181,000 GMD in funding for expansion and implementation.
Demonstrating the generosity and commitment of attendees and stakeholders to support community-led projects, we received pledges totaling 60,000 GMD. We are continuing to accept contributions towards the projects and organizations indicated the possibility for additional funding and support.
Another moving project was presented by Aidan and his counterpart Babou’s Fence Rehabilitation Project at Misera Ljoben’s local women’s community garden. Climate change and droughts have incurred a decrease in agricultural activities, therefore income loss in Misera Ljoben. The garden had a damaged fence before the implementation of this project. In efforts to rebuild, Aidan launched this project to protect farming activities from animal invasion and inclement weather. Residents of Misera Ljoben have contributed 35,000 GMD and sought 185,000 GMD in funding for expansion for expansion and sustainability.
We extend our heartfelt gratitude to all the participants for their commitment to supporting these community-driven projects. Your presence and active involvement have ignited our hope and bolstered our confidence in our mission. Our office is now actively engaging in one-on-one discussions with potential funders to secure the resources needed for the successful implementation of these volunteer-led initiatives. The support and enthusiasm shown by everyone in attendance have inspired us, reinforcing our collective ability to uplift and empower our communities across Africa.
