Its heart beats pure passion.

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African Village Dream was built on exactly that - a dream.

A dream for the remote Gambian village of Kerr Layen: to educate its children, grow its own food, and thrive independently. With 40 hectares of land dedicated to rice cultivation, alongside additional land producing couscous, groundnuts, maize, and cashew nuts, the village is making steady progress towards self-sustainability. 

Hand-dug and improved wells, together with water towers and pipework, have brought running water to the village for the very first time. 

Goats help fund teachers’ wages, creating a sustainable way to support education within the community. We are also helping to establish new small businesses within the village, including a tailor, a baker, and market gardeners, with many more ideas planned for the future. 

By supporting local enterprise, we are creating opportunities, encouraging independence, and building long-term income from within the village itself. 

Our nursery school currently has over 140 children enrolled, providing two meals a day and operating across six classrooms. 

Our first Primary school classroom is nearing completion, with over 20 students ready to move up into their new school.

Wherever possible, we also provide support for emergency transport and medication for those needing urgent care at the nearest hospital. 

In July 2025, African Village Dream was officially granted charity status, marking a major milestone in our journey. Together, we are turning a dream into reality. 

Thank you for being part of our journey. 

Not one penny of your donation is taken for salaries or personal gain. Your generosity goes towards the projects and people who need it most.

sponsor a child

At the heart of Hold a Hand is a simple but powerful belief: that the smallest act of giving can light the way to a brighter future.

For just £10 per month, UK sponsors and joining hands with the children of Kerr Layen, to help them rise, learn and thrive.

This is more than just a donation - it’s a promise.

 Hold a Hand

The Story so far

What began as a dream to support the remote Gambian village of Kerr Layen has grown into a journey of education, opportunity and community-led change.

African Village Dream is helping the village work towards becoming more self-sufficient, supporting education, agriculture, clean water and local enterprise. 

Each project is helping lay the foundations for a stronger future.  The journey is far from over, but together with the people of Kerr Layen and supporters around the world, a dream is becoming a reality. 

This is the story so far. And the story is only just beginning.

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Join us in making a difference. Donate now to transform lives, build classrooms, and bring Kerr Layen to life. Every contribution counts.

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Where is kerr layen

The Gambia is a small country located in West Africa, surrounded by Senegal with a small narrow Atlantic coastline.

The River Gambia flows through the entire length of the country with the capital Banjul located where the mouth of the river reaches the Atlantic ocean. 

Kerr Layen is a small rural village located in the Central River Region approximately 5 hours away from Banjul.

It is predominantly an agricultural community shaped by the seasons, family and local traditions.

Library book fund

Help us fill the future Kerr Layen Library with books for children and adults, creating opportunities to learn, read and explore beyond the classroom. Donations will help us purchase books locally from Timbooktoo Bookshop in The Gambia, supporting both education and the local economy.

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Get in touch

We'd love to hear from you

You can also book a presentation with us. We are truly excited about visiting Schools, Clubs, and sharing the story of the African Village Dream. People are eager to hear from our Founder Lee and discover ways to support this inspiring cause.

Head to our Volunteer ot Contact Us page