In a recent series of field trips, our team had the privilege of visiting Catholic Mission Schools across The Gambia. These visits were part of a broader effort to strengthen faith-based engagement among students and support the revival of the Youth Catholic Fellowship (YCF), which has seen a decline in recent years.
During the visits, we conducted training sessions for teachers appointed by the Catholic Secretariat. These educators were equipped to lead Bible Club sessions using our structured materials and tools, including the Proclaimer, printed Bibles, and other resources. The goal was not only to introduce our content but also to empower teachers to integrate it into their existing fellowship frameworks while maintaining their own unique approach.
To make the most of limited time and staff resources, we streamlined three of our core projects—Faith Comes By Hearing (FCBH), Open The Book, and Bible Marathon—into a unified Bible Club format. Through this approach, students engage in a well-rounded spiritual program that includes:
- Systematic Bible Reading
- Listening to Audio Scriptures via the Proclaimer
- Creative expressions such as poetry and drama inspired by scripture
- Friendly Bible quizzes and competitions
This method allows us to deliver a comprehensive and interactive spiritual experience without needing separate sessions for each project—an important factor given the time constraints and the number of schools involved.
While the schools maintain full ownership of their fellowship activities, we provide ongoing support. Our team periodically joins sessions to observe, provide feedback, and organize special events and assessments. This collaboration ensures that our shared objectives—spiritual growth, biblical literacy, and active student participation—are being met.
The Catholic Secretariat welcomed this initiative, recognizing its potential to breathe new life into YCF activities within their schools. These training sessions mark a significant step forward in building stronger, more vibrant faith communities among students in The Gambia.
