The COVID-19 pandemic has revealed significant challenges in children’s access to educational materials, severely impacting their learning. As schools and our Learning and Resource Centre were no longer accessible for in-person activities, we took initiative in 2020 by launching the “Unique Foundation Mobile Library with Outdoor Readers Hub.” This project was made possible through funding from the U.S. Department of State, facilitated by the U.S. Embassy Banjul, as well as support from Germany through the Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany Dakar/Gambia.

Over the course of two years, we successfully implemented the Mobile Library program, reaching more than 30 schools in 20 communities. Through this initiative, we directly benefited over 80,000 individuals, primarily focusing on school-age children and young people. The Mobile Library provided them with access to a wide range of educational resources, enabling continued learning despite the limitations imposed by the pandemic.

By bringing books and educational materials to their doorstep, we aimed to mitigate the disruption caused by the pandemic and ensure that children had the opportunity to engage in reading and learning. The Mobile Library served as a valuable resource for students, fostering a love for reading and supporting their educational development even during these challenging times.