On Sunday, 27th April 2025, volunteers from the African Youth Leadership Hub (AYLH), Gambia Chapter, gathered at Leybato Beach in Fajara for a vibrant and purposeful beach clean-up exercise. This impactful initiative aimed to raise awareness about marine pollution, preserve the coastal ecosystem, and foster community participation in environmental protection efforts.
A total of 37 members from AYLH Gambia actively participated in the activity, joined by 6 representatives from AYLH’s partner organisation, CorpAfrica, and 2 media representatives who helped capture and amplify the message of environmental stewardship.
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Armed with gloves, trash bags, and a shared sense of duty, participants combed the beach, collecting plastic bottles, food wrappers, and various other forms of waste polluting the shoreline. Their collective efforts contributed significantly to keeping the coastal environment clean and safe.
This clean-up is part of AYLH Gambia’s ongoing commitment to environmental sustainability and youth-driven community engagement. The exercise demonstrated that small actions—like picking up litter—can lead to meaningful change.
“Beach cleaning is more than just tidying up,” noted one volunteer. “It’s an act of environmental responsibility. Every piece of trash we remove is one less threat to seabirds, fish, or marine animals.”
Plastic pollution, especially microplastics, remains a major concern globally. Events like this not only contribute to a cleaner environment but also educate the public on the importance of sustainable waste practices.
The event concluded with a group photo and a collective promise to continue environmental advocacy. The exercise was conducted under the leadership of Omar Mboob, Country National Coordinator, African Youth Leadership Hub (Gambia Chapter).
Together, we can make a difference—one beach at a time.
—Secretary, African Youth Leadership Hub (Gambia Chapter)
