About Us
A Partnership Between Medical Schools.
The Swansea Gambia Link was established in 2007 to form a partnership between staff and students from the University of The Gambia Medical School and Swansea University Medical School. The Link aims to raise standards of healthcare provision in The Gambia and Wales through providing training opportunities for students and facilitating knowledge exchange between the two institutions which promote improvements in healthcare delivery.
Why we fundraise.
The Swansea Gambia Link raises money to enable students from the Gambia to come to Wales for a two-week visit, in which they learn from observational clinic placements and teaching sessions alongside their Swansea counterparts. The costs for Swansea students to experience a similar teaching opportunity in the Gambia is covered by personal contributions and a grant from the Welsh Health Board.
The funds raised by each year’s Swansea Gambia Link Committee ensures that the partnership built over the years between our two medical schools strengthens into the future, and that students from The Gambia continue to have access to the valuable learning opportunities on offer through the exchange programme.
See past and upcoming exchanges here:
What are our Charitable Objectives?
#1. Advancement of Medical Education
The Link aims to facilitate the advance the medical education of future doctors from Swansea and The Gambia through organisation of the exchange; allowing students from each country to experience clinical placements, lectures, seminars, and other medical and cultural teaching. Education is our core mission, enabling us to train doctors for the future of both countries.
Swansea Gambia Link fundraises year-round to raise funds for the Gambian students’ exchange to Wales (including but not limited to: travel expenses, accommodation, educational resources, and more).
#2. Cultural Exchange
To advance citizenship and community development by promoting cultural exchange, mutual understanding, and international cooperation.
Investing in cultural exchange for healthcare professionals is crucial, ensuring a diverse, knowledgeable workforce for the future. We believe cultural exchange creates well rounded doctors who will provide greater care for the future generation.
#3. Relieving financial hardship
To relieve financial hardship by enabling students from The Gambia to take part in educational and exchange programmes who would not otherwise be able to afford to do so.
Knowledge sharing across cultures allows students and faculty to exchange diverse medical practices and skills as practitioners. We aim to provide these opportunities to those who would not otherwise have access to opportunities like this.
How you can help
Click the link below to find out how you can get involved with Swansea Gambia Link.