Coláiste Bhríde Summer Newsletter 2025 - Flipbook - Page 15
SELF HELP AFRICA
Self Help Africa Trip
Our Journey to The Gambia: Sustainability, Community,
and Resilience (Rosealice Byrne, Seren Byrne and Ms Walsh)
Our recent trip to The Gambia was an unforgettable experience, offering valuable lessons in
sustainability, food security, and community empowerment. We explored initiatives that are
transforming lives, such as the Self-Help Africa Development Garden, where apprentices learn how to
farm sustainably, and the Kalagi Women's Garden, which provides financial independence to over one
hundred women through organic onion farming and composting.
At Kartong, we visited the integrated climate-adaptation and community resilience-building projects
lead by the Self Help Africa team. We witnessed how women use innovative "rack-culture" techniques
to sustainably harvest oysters while protecting vital mangrove ecosystems. Their efforts not only
support biodiversity but also strengthen communities against the impact of climate change.
At The Gambian College we were afforded the opportunity to engage with agricultural students and
students studying public health. As part of the study of agriculture, students had a hands-on learning
approach as they completed projects based on their abilities to cultivate various crops. The publichealth students presented their final year project ideas, as they are preparing to serve rural
communities by administering vaccines and promoting hygiene practices.
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