The Gambia has had a series of stable governments since its independence from Great Britain in 1965. This stability was momentarily interrupted by a military coup in 1994, which overthrew the party that had been in power since independence. President Yahya Jammeh first ruled as the head of the military junta. He later retired from the military and won an election as a civilian in democratic elections in 1997. Jammeh was reelected in 2001. National elections are next planned in 2006.

The Gambia has no important mineral or other natural resources and has a limited agricultural base. Seventy-five percent of the population depends on the agriculture and natural resource sectors for its livelihood, but over the past two decades production of cash and food crops has steadily declined. This decline is directly attributable to environmental degradation. Small-scale manufacturing features the processing of peanuts, fish, and hides. Growth in the tourism industry is consistently and aggressively pursued.

Program Focus

The Peace Corps' relationship with the Gambia dates back to 1967, when the Peace Corps signed a memorandum of understanding with the Ministry of External Affairs. Volunteers began working in The Gambia later that year, initially serving as mechanics and teachers. Since then, many Gambian institutions and communities have benefitted from the services of over 1,200 Volunteers. The Peace Corps' development priorities in the areas of education, the environment, and health match those of the government. Information technology, HIV/AIDS, and youth are all important areas of focus.

Education

Large numbers of Gambian children, especially school-age girls, are not enrolled in classes. For those children who do attend school, the majority of teachers who instruct them are not fully qualified to teach in primary and middle school. Volunteers teach math and science and information communication technology (ICT) in the classroom, conduct teacher training, promote girls' education, and establish resource centers and libraries at schools. Others are placed in postsecondary institutions, such as Gambia College and the University of The Gambia.

Volunteers are also making an impact by introducing ICT education. In addition to continuing to train teachers in basic computer literacy, in 2000, a new emphasis was placed on computer education curriculum development and training in computer troubleshooting. Several labs were established from Banjul to Basse in the Upper River Division as a result.

Environment

Environmental degradation and decreased agricultural production are serious issues in The Gambia, and conservation of natural resources is a high priority for the government. Dense forest and woodland covered 80 percent of the country during the 1940s, but account for only 8 percent of total land today. Volunteers work with communities promoting conservation and resource regeneration through ecotourism and grassroots collaboration. Volunteers also work with schools and community groups on environmental-education projects, including establishing village nurseries, constructing windbreaks, or developing and promoting new food crops with research and extension agencies.

Health & Community Development

Volunteers use creative ways to support their counterparts and institutions. They help form youth clubs for village clean-ups, train peer education groups to address HIV/AIDS and sexually transmissible infectious diseases, and conduct a wide range of other health education activities.