Salimatou Foundation for Education

Today we celebrate every worker who shows up, pours in, and builds a better world. To every educator, volunteer, and change-maker within and beyond our walls.

Your work is seen, your dedication is honored, and your impact is eternal. Happy International Workers Day 📚✨

Happy International Women’s Day 💜✨

Today, we celebrate the strength, resilience, and potential of women and girls everywhere.

Guided by this year’s theme, Give to Gain, we are reminded that investing in girls’ education, mentorship, and opportunities creates lasting impact. When we give knowledge, support, and empowerment to young women, we gain stronger communities, brighter futures, and the next generation of leaders.

At the Salimatou Foundation for Education, we remain committed to empowering girls through education, mentorship, and leadership development.

Together, let us continue to uplift, support, and invest in girls — because when girls rise, the world gains.

Meet Aisha Balajo, a second-year BSc Nursing student at the University of The Gambia and Assistant Secretary General of the American Society for Microbiology (ASM) UTG Chapter.

Beyond academics, she is an entrepreneur, running Aisha Luxe on TikTok and managing digital engagement for her family brand, Balajo Home, reaching over 15,000 followers.

Aisha joined the Salimatou Foundation for Education (SaFE) as a mentee in 2022. Through mentorship, she strengthened her leadership, communication, and public speaking skills — growing from believing she was confident to truly becoming confident.

“SaFE helped me grow from believing I was confident to truly becoming confident.”

Her journey reflects the power of mentorship and the impact of empowering young women.

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Meet Adama Sanneh, a young professional whose journey reflects growth, discovery, and confidence through SaFE mentorship program.

Adama currently serves as a Communications Officer at the Alternative Dispute Resolution Secretariat (ADRS). He holds an Advanced Diploma in Journalism from the Media Academy for Journalism and Communication (MAJaC) and is also a first-year student at the University of The Gambia, continuing to pursue his academic and professional aspirations.

Through the mentorship programme of the Salimatou Foundation for Education (SaFE), Adama discovered his career path and developed the confidence to grow into a bold and purpose-driven young man.

💬 His advice to fellow young people:
“Never stop searching. Be patient with yourself and take time to discover who you truly are.”

Adama’s story reminds us that mentorship can inspire clarity, confidence, and the courage to pursue one’s dreams.

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📣 NEW SERIES ALERT!

We are excited to introduce the SaFE Mentee Spotlight — a special feature celebrating the incredible journeys, achievements, and impact of our mentees. 💙📚 highlighting what they are doing now and how the mentorship shaped their journey.

At SaFE, mentorship doesn’t end when the program closes. Our mentees continue to grow, lead, and pursue their dreams.

Follow along as we share their stories, achievements, and inspiring journeys.

We are proud of you Fatou Sillah!

SPOTLIGHT: Meet Fatoumata Sillah, a trailblazing journalist-turned-chef who epitomises the transformative power of pursuing one's passion.

Currently at the Gambia Tourism and Hospitality Institute of the Gambia, her inspiring journey showcases the limitless potential of reinvention and exploring new frontiers. As a certified chef and mentor, she pays it forward, empowering aspiring hospitality professionals to realise their dreams.

As a high school student, she vividly recalls declaring her ambition to become a chef to her classmates. "This spark was ignited after attending a 3-month mentorship program with SaFE, where she discovered her passion for cooking."

Her friends can attest that she was driven to pursue a career in the culinary arts, even back then, she noted.

After graduating, she took the first step towards realising her dream by applying to the Gambia Tourism and Hospitality Institute in 2019.

However, her family encouraged her to explore journalism, given her interest in writing and storytelling. She had been an active member of the Mingdaw press club, where they wrote and presented news stories, and this experience had sparked her curiosity about the field.

She went on to study journalism at the Media Academy for Journalism and Communications but ultimately decided to pursue her true passion. In 2022, she embarked on her culinary journey, and with each passing day, she grew more confident in her skills and knowledge.

Every new experience deepened her love for cooking and serving others. She is currently working at the Gambia Tourism and Hospitality Institute as a Communication Officer and a chef.

"Today, I proudly embrace my identity as an aspiring chef, and I'm excited to see where this journey takes me. With every new recipe, every new technique, and every new opportunity, I'm reminded that it's never too late to pursue your passion and turn your dreams into reality," she said.

We will be live on TikTok from 15:00 to 16:00 at Salimatou Foundation for Education on TikTok.

This is in-line with our ongoing campaign to raise funds for children to continue/stay in school this September.

You all are urge to join the live.

Support a child today, and safe a future!

Yesterday, our volunteer attended the Special Edition of the Ministerial Town Hall Meeting – Mansa K***a, held at the Sir Dawda Kairaba Jawara International Conference Center, on behalf of Salimatou Foundation for Education.

The dialogue, themed “Intergenerational Dialogue on Child Rights in The Gambia”, brought together nine government ministers, policymakers, and over 100 members of the Children Assembly for a dynamic and engaging exchange on issues affecting children’s lives and development.

It was inspiring to see children’s voices amplified at the highest level of national decision-making. Discussions focused on child rights, welfare, inclusive policy-making, and how to strengthen government’s commitment to child-centered development.

As a Foundation that strongly advocates for education and child rights, we are proud to be part of such a national platform that prioritizes the future of our children.

Together, we can build a Gambia where every child thrives, learns, and is protected.

Thank you for your well representation Hon Modou K Drammeh .

***a

Back-to-school is a stressful time for so many families in The Gambia. Every year, many children are at risk of being left out because of school fees or supplies.

This year, through the foundation, we’re making sure more children get the chance to sit in a classroom. We are asking for your help.

Together, let’s make education possible. Help share widely please. Every little thing helps.

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