The Gambia a small country in West Africa, surrounded by the Atlantic ocean and Senegal.

The country has a surface of 11,300 m2 (1/3 of the Netherlands), is to the coast approximately 60 km wide, but narrows itself to about 30 km; the country is 320 km long. The Gambia is shared concerning the whole length by the Gambia river in two parts. There is no a bridge which links the banks with each other, at only some places a ferry service is maintained.

The population is 1.6 millions (141 by km2).

The Gambia belongs to the poorest and less developed countries of the world concerning health, access to education, average income and life expectancy.

The official language is English. Approximately half of the population is fluent in this language rather to good. Moreover there two languages Wolof and Mandinka, which are spoken by the population.

Of the total population of 15 years and older 47.5% can read and write, 58.4% of the men and 37.1% of the women. Something more than one quarter of the population has finished a school.

In The Gambia, no learning duty exists. Still all children do not go to school, the estimate is that 70% of the children go to the primary school, 20% continues to the middle education. Only 40% go to nursery school.

Paying tuition fees is frequently a large obstacle for the parents.

The Gambian government is working on a law that education for girls (8-18 years) is free from tuition fees. This does not mean that education for girls is free, there must be paid, however, for books, examinations, school fund, uniforms, shoes and frequently also for a lunch

Nursery schools not yet fall under the responsibility of the Gambian government, most of the nursery schools are private schools, parents pay tuition fees, the school is responsible for paying the salaries of the staff and the exploitation of the school

 Nursery schools start with teaching English and the elementary principles of mathematics.

  From primary school on the lessons are given in English.

In The Gambia, there are relatively much deaf children and adults. Main causes of this are meningitis-infection on young age, other infections and congenital deviations. Of the 1.6 millions inhabitants 20,000 people are deaf.