Its enduring commitment to improving the lives of Gambians has earned it widespread recognition and respect across the country.
Over the years, the foundation has made significant contributions to the health sector, including the provision of hospital beds, incubators, essential medications, and other critical medical supplies. These interventions have bolstered the capacity of hospitals in the country, and played a vital role in improving patient care and outcomes.
In the education sector, Egalise has supported schools with learning materials, infrastructure improvements aimed at increasing access to quality education for children. These efforts have helped raise school attendance rates and reduced dropout levels.
More recently, the foundation has shifted focus towards youth entrepreneurship, recognising the urgent need to address rising unemployment among young people. Through its enterprise support scheme, Egalise provides start-up capital to aspiring young entrepreneurs, empowering them to launch small businesses and contribute to the local economy. The initiative is designed not only to reduce youth unemployment but also to improve living standards and foster self-reliance.
Beneficiaries of the foundation’s programmes have hailed its continued humanitarian efforts, describing the support as life-changing. Many young entrepreneurs involved in the scheme have shared stories of how the foundation’s backing enabled them to pursue their ambitions, create jobs, and support their families.
Among the pioneers of the Egalise Foundation is Dr Mamadou Tangara, former Minister for Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation, and Gambians Abroad, whose early involvement helped shape the organisation’s mission. The foundation also enjoys strong local support from key partners, including the country’s leading GSM operator Africell, GACH Global, and the First Lady of The Gambia, all of whom have played a vital role in sustaining its operations and amplifying its impact.
Ebrima Jallow, one of the beneficiaries of the Egalise Foundation’s youth entrepreneurship scheme, has emerged as one of The Gambia’s leading sheep breeders thanks to the transformative support he received from the organisation.
Speaking about the impact of the foundation’s assistance, Jallow said: “The Egalise Foundation gave me the opportunity to turn my business idea into reality. Their support has gone a long way towards improving my business. It’s not just financial help—it’s hope.”
He explained that he was granted a loan which enabled him to purchase sheep and expand his breeding operations, saying: “What made the loan so beneficial was the flexible repayment plan. I was given five years to repay it, with manageable instalments each year. That was incredibly helpful, and I’ve now fully repaid the loan,” he claimed.
Jallow went on to encourage the foundation to continue its support for other young people across the country, noting that such initiatives are vital in tackling youth unemployment and promoting economic self-sufficiency.
Dr Thevenot Serge, Chairman of the Egalise Foundation, highlighted the organisation’s growing impact in The Gambia, emphasising its commitment to health, education, and entrepreneurship.
“The foundation is focused on empowering Gambian youth through access to healthcare, quality education, and entrepreneurial support,” he said. “We provide micro-finance assistance to help young people pursue self-development and economic independence.”
Dr Serge noted that the foundation has so far supported seven Gambian youths, helping to transform their lives and enabling them to contribute meaningfully to national development. “Beneficiaries received either grants or interest-free micro-finance loans, repayable over a five-year period, with additional benefits designed to ease their financial burden.”
Speaking on the achievements registered by the foundation, Dr Thevenot Serge, outlined a series of impactful initiatives that have uplifted communities nationwide.
“In 2023, we delivered around 250 hospital beds to The Gambia, including approximately 120 electric beds, the first of their kind donated to the country’s main referral hospital, Edward Francis Small Teaching Hospital (EFSTH) in Banjul,” Dr Serge revealed.
He added that the foundation also supplied incubators and a wide range of medical equipment distributed across health centres nationwide. “We brought in ambulances which were handed over to the government for onward distribution to hospitals in need. Even the country’s Fire and Rescue Services benefited from our donations,” he said.
“Over the past 22 years, the Egalise Foundation has consistently supported The Gambia with essential materials, importing up to forty 40-foot containers annually filled with supplies for the health, education, and other development sectors.”
Dr Serge recalled that last year, SOS Children’s Village received 150 computers and printers, which were distributed to schools across the country. “Just yesterday, we donated a high-capacity photocopier to Tallinding Senior Secondary School and are currently setting up a computer lab with 49 computers and 50 desks, an investment valued at around €400,000,” he noted.
He also praised the foundation’s Gambian partners, including Africell, which annually covers the €7,000 cost of transporting a container, as well as GACH Global and the nation’s First Lady for their continued support.
“In the education sector, the foundation organises annual essay and letter-writing competitions for students. It began with Charles Jaw and students from SOS Children’s Village, but has since expanded to include five schools. Each year, the top three students in French writing receive €100,” Dr Serge explained. He added that students in France also participate in English writing competitions, fostering cross-cultural exchange.
On youth entrepreneurship, Dr Serge emphasised the foundation’s commitment to empowering young Gambians, adding: “We want to support young people with viable business ideas whether in sheep breeding, transportation, fishing, or other sectors. They submit their business plans, we scrutinise them, and then provide financial support,” he said.
Dr Serge also expressed gratitude to the Mayor of Ville de Bellac and the Lions Club in France for their continued support to the foundation—assistance he described as transformative.
“Their unwavering commitment is helping to change the lives and livelihoods of Gambians in profound ways,” he said.
Dr Serge praised the enduring partnership between the Egalise Foundation and Bafrow Hospital, noting that over the years, the hospital has benefitted from numerous forms of support provided by the foundation. He affirmed that this assistance would continue, reinforcing their shared commitment to healthcare excellence.
Carron Pierre, a member of the Egalise Foundation, also highlighted the significant contributions the organisation continues to make in The Gambia. He urged beneficiaries of the entrepreneurship scheme to remain committed and adhere to their business plans, emphasising that doing so would ensure the sustainability of the initiative and allow other young people to benefit in the future.
