Love4Gambia is an ongoing fundraising campaign – fueled by a passion for running and for Africa – in support of the Nova Scotia-Gambia Association’s (NSGA) HIV/AIDS, malaria, and landmine injury prevention programs in West Africa.

The project was first launched in 2011 when Team Love4Gambia, consisting of 92 runners and walkers, participated in the Scotiabank Blue Nose Marathon to raise funds for the NSGA`s programs.

Later that year, the crowning achievement of Love4Gambia 2011 was a monumental 424-kilometer running journey across the country of The Gambia.  On Tuesday, July 26, 2011 Team Love4Gambia members – Erin Poirier, Ashley Sharpe, Pa Modou Sarr, Kebba Suso and Dodou Bah – victoriously jumped into the Atlantic Ocean in Banjul after running 424 km over 17 days across The Gambia.  They reached the ocean because they believed that they could; they supported and took care of each other every step of the crazy journey; and because they had such vital and wonderful support from donors and sponsors.

To date, Love4Gambia has raised $35,000 for the NSGA.  This money will go towards education through interactive presentations, peer education, theatre, community cinema, and radio. These initiatives help the NSGA provide youth and communities in The Gambia the knowledge and skills to build healthier, stronger communities – work the NSGA has been undertaking for the past 25 years.

And we are not done yet.  Love4Gambia 2012 will see another runner, accompanied by an incredible support team, taking on the epic journey across The Gambia in June of 2012.  Come back to visit this site often to follow our progress!

2013 will see the running expedition grow into an international ultramarathon event: The Basse to Banjul Ultramarathon.