The Gambia · Since 2015
Our youth show up for basketball but stay for the community.
Free afterschool basketball and tutoring for middle school students in Serekunda, run by a Gambian team.
88%
of Academy students held or improved their class rank over the last two years
7
Ascend alumni have played for The Gambia’s national teams. One now plays NCAA Division I at Montana State.
100%
of what we raise goes to our students, coaches, tutors and alumni
Class rank: 73 of 83 students across 2024/25 and 2025/26.
How Ascend works
Every Ascend student learns one motto
It also shapes how we run the program and where your gift goes.
“I take care of myself.”
Tutoring in English, math and science, plus test-taking and life skills, every week of the school year.
Your giftpays our tutors and puts school supplies in students’ hands.
“I take care of my team.”
Practice three days a week with Coach Kebba and Coach Bintou, plus an end-of-season scrimmage that drew 86 athletes in 2026.
Your giftpays our coaches and keeps balls, cones and water on the court.
“I take care of my community.”
After their Academy year, students come back as Ascend Alumni to coach, mentor and tutor the next class, and to run their own community projects.
Your giftsupports our alumni leaders and the yearly cultural field trip.
Ascend Alumni
From our first class to our coaching staff
Bintou was one of the first students to join Ascend at St. Therese’s in 2015. She went on to play for the Kotu Blue Ninjas in the Gambian league and to represent The Gambia on courts across Africa and in Europe.
She also earned a master’s degree in hospitality and tourism and has been working toward a second degree in education. Today she is our assistant coach, and Alhagie says our students see her as an older sister.
“We have everything we need right here.”
2026/27 season
This year’s fundraisers
Four events fund most of our year. Two are done, and the next one starts in January. Please join us.
Pouring for a Purpose
Alveare Winery, Carnation, WA
Strengthens our existing programs and starts a summer camp open to kids across Kombo.
Raised $2,500. Thank you!
Chicago Benefit Concert
Chicago, IL
Covers about half of our yearly program costs.
Raised $3,725. Thank you!
Student Sponsorship
Online · Goal: 20 students
$100 sponsors one student for the full year: $40 for supplies and uniform, $60 for tutoring.
How it worksBracket Challenge
Online · $25 a bracket
Fill out a March Madness bracket and play along with us. Last year’s challenge raised $1,600.
Opens in March
$10 a month covers a student’s year
Can’t make one of our events? A small monthly gift keeps our coaches and tutors paid all year. No donation is too small.
Change or cancel any time.
Gambian-led
Our team on the ground
Ascend is run day to day by our team in The Gambia. Our board in the US raises the money and backs them up.
Alhagie Manjang
Program Manager
With Ascend since the beginning. He runs the program day to day.
Kebba Faal
Head Coach
Joined as a volunteer in 2015 and has led our coaching since 2022.
Bintou Dembelle
Assistant Coach
One of our first students, now coaching the next class.
Abdou Wahab Njie
Head of Alumni
Leads Ascend Alumni, the graduates who come back to coach, mentor and volunteer.
Our tutors: Madam Clara (English), Mr. Jarju (math) and Mr. Bah (science).