The Gambia: MGK & GMECI Spark Ocean Curiosity in Ibotown Children
In July 2025, the MGK Foundation, in collaboration with the Gambian Marine and Environmental Conservation Initiative (GMECI), organized a joyful and educational beach outing for children from the mangrove community of Ibotown, where MGK’s field school is based. Held at Cape Point Beach in The Gambia, the activity brought together 30 children from oyster-harvesting families as part of the MGK Program, which focuses on supporting the education and well-being of young people living in coastal areas. Many of these children were visiting the ocean for the very first time, making the experience both exciting and meaningful.
Facilitated by long-time GMECI team members, Awa Bah and Kumba Sonko, the day was packed with activities that were designed to spark curiosity and foster learning in a fun and relaxed environment. The morning began with a creative coloring session using custom-designed pages developed by GMECI, where the children colored sea creatures such as dolphins and crocodiles. This was followed by a reading session of the beautifully illustrated book “Keita and the Dolphins“, a story developed by the Consortium for the Conservation of the Atlantic Humpback Dolphin. The book captured the children’s imaginations while teaching them about the secret life of this rare and endangered marine mammal.
Children were treated to a reading of ‘Keita and the Dolphins’ and engaged in colouring and other activities as part of the coastal and marine environmental education day at Cape Point Beach in the Gambia.
The reading session was followed by a spelling game focused on ocean-related words, seamlessly blending play with education. The children then moved to the beach for physical games, including football and group activities, where they expressed great enthusiasm and teamwork. A delicious meal was shared, ensuring the children were nourished and energized throughout the day. Volunteers noted the children’s joy, engagement, and gratitude, with one reflecting that the day was filled with “laughter, learning, and enjoyment” and reinforced the value of such outreach efforts.
By connecting children from mangrove ecosystems to the ocean through storytelling, creativity, and play, the MGK Foundation and GMECI are helping to inspire a new generation of ocean stewards committed to protecting their coastal environment.