Starfish International

Over the past 10 years, Starfish International has motivated hundreds of middle and high school girls to develop a determination to make their families and their communities better through service to humanity. Starfish International, a nonprofit community-based organization that is focused on providing Gambian girls scholarships to achieve the highest level of education, teaching them entrepreneurship skills that will enhance their financial independence, exposing them to opportunities and experiences geared towards guiding them find their voices and choices and educating them to break all social, cultural and global barriers to girls’ education. Most importantly, the organization requires its members and beneficiaries to direct their knowledge, skills and virtues towards serving their communities and humanity at large. Mona Foundation provides funding for their Skills and Business Centre which will serve as the financial backbone for the organization. Once it is established, the center will be an opportunity for community members, particularly 100 girls and women, who never had the opportunity to have or attain a high school education, to learn skills that will enhance their capacity in being financially independent. In the long run, these individuals will be skillful enough to contribute even more to the development of their communities, mostly by starting their own businesses and even hiring others. The Skills Center was founded by Mama Kujabi, a victim of life-long violence and abuse who resolutely defied all odds and started a small business which enabled her to support and educate herself and three daughters.