Gambiaj.com – (BRIKAMA, The Gambia) – The Brikama Area Council (BAC) has announced plans to organize a major fundraising event aimed at expanding its 2026 education scholarship program, following an overwhelming response from students across the West Coast Region.
The council had initially allocated D12 million in its 2026 budget to support 900 students. However, applications have far exceeded projections, with nearly 1,000 additional students seeking assistance—highlighting both the growing demand for educational support and the limitations of the council’s current financial capacity.
A council representative said the proposed fundraising drive is intended to bridge the funding gap and ensure that no qualified and deserving student is denied an opportunity due to financial hardship.
“Education is the foundation of our community’s future, and we do not want to turn away any young person who is determined to learn,” the official stated. “This fundraising event is our way of making sure that opportunity reaches everyone, not just those covered by the existing budget.”
The BAC Scholarship Award Programme has emerged as one of the council’s flagship initiatives, playing a significant role in promoting education and human capital development in the region. Over the years, the program has enabled hundreds of students from economically disadvantaged backgrounds to pursue tertiary and higher education.
The council expects strong participation from community members, private sector partners, and philanthropists. It has also appealed to Gambians at home and in the diaspora to support the initiative as part of a collective effort to empower the next generation.
“Every contribution, no matter how small, goes directly toward a student’s future,” the council emphasized. “This is not only an investment in education but also an investment in the long-term prosperity of our people.”
The date and venue for the fundraising event are expected to be announced in the coming days, as preparations continue to mobilise broad-based support across various sectors.
