A Lifeline for Children: Transforming Lives Through School Feeding in The Gambia

CATCHING THE MOST VULNERABLE CHILDREN

Musa’s childhood has been scarred by abuse and neglect. Orphaned at a young age, he was sent to live with his extended family, who mistreated him. He ran away repeatedly, preferring to take his chances on the streets than suffer more harm at home.

Musa represents one of 1,824 child protection cases registered and addressed by the Ministry in 2023 via the newly strengthened case management system with UNICEF support. With this platform active in all seven regions, The Gambia has its first comprehensive national-level oversight of child protection issues and interventions.

“Before, many abused and exploited children were falling through the cracks. There were no standardized protocols for detecting risks, reporting problems, and deploying solutions,” says a government official. “With the case management system, we can identify the most vulnerable kids and connect them to a range of services to improve their circumstances - counselling, medical aid, legal aid, returning them to a safe situation, helping re-enrol in school, and more.”

In Musa’s case, a local social worker intervened, placing him in a group foster home and arranging catch-up learning so he could restart his education. 

“I feel safe here,” Musa says of his new living situation. “I have food, I can focus on my schoolwork, and start thinking about what I want to be when I grow up.”

Together, we are building a Gambia where the social contract leaves no one behind - where every child is protected, nourished, and empowered with opportunity. This is the foundation for the nation’s stable, prosperous, and equitable future.