The Nova Scotia – Gambia Association (NSGA) is a major force in youth education in The Gambia. NSGA projects emphasize the concept of learning through active involvement. It uses drama and theatre, radio and community video shows, and peer education techniques to build healthy communities and to introduce its programs. Program topics include, but are not limited to:
NSGA began in 1985 as a development education project for a high school involving the founding Executive Director, Burris Devanney, and his personal network of colleagues, friends, and acquaintances. Thirty years later NSGA is well-respected in Canada and West Africa. In addition to its programs in The Gambia, NSGA worked in Sierra Leone between 2002 and August 2010 as the Nova Scotia-Sierra Leone Programme on a wide variety of projects with at-risk communities and youth across the country. Linkages with local schools, universities, service clubs, church organizations, and community groups in Nova Scotia have expanded over the years. Projects have received financial support from national and international funders, in addition to significant in-kind and fund raising contributions from individual participants. Currently, NSGA supports a busy field office in The Gambia and a head office in Halifax.
