Frequently Asked Questions

You can donate online through our secure donation page at rootshealthgambia.org/donate. We use Zeffy as our payment processor, which accepts all major credit cards and debit cards.

For other donation methods, including checks, wire transfers, or stock donations, please contact us at ebouc@rootshealthgambia.org.

Yes! As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, all donations to Roots Health Gambia are tax-deductible to the full extent allowed by law in the United States.

You will receive an email receipt immediately after your donation, which serves as your tax documentation. For donations over $250, we'll send an additional acknowledgment letter for your records.

We maintain transparency about how donations are allocated:

• 75% - Medical supplies and equipment procurement
• 15% - Training and education programs
• 7% - Program operations and coordination
• 3% - Administrative expenses

We're committed to keeping our overhead low to maximize the impact of every dollar donated.

Yes, we accept donations of medical equipment and supplies, but we need to ensure they meet specific criteria:

• Equipment must be in excellent working condition
• Supplies must have at least 12 months before expiration
• Items must be appropriate for use in The Gambia's healthcare settings

Please contact us at ebouc@rootshealthgambia.org before shipping any equipment to coordinate logistics and ensure your donation can be used effectively.

Absolutely! Monthly recurring donations help us plan long-term programs and provide consistent support to healthcare facilities in The Gambia.

You can set up a recurring donation through our donation page, choosing monthly, quarterly, or annual giving options. You can modify or cancel your recurring donation at any time.

We welcome volunteers in several capacities:

• Medical Missions: Healthcare professionals can join our annual missions to The Gambia
• Training Programs: Educators and specialists can help develop and deliver training
• Fundraising: Help organize events and campaigns in your community
• Administrative Support: Assist with communications, grant writing, and operations

Contact us at ebouc@rootshealthgambia.org to discuss volunteer opportunities.

No! While we need healthcare professionals for medical missions and training programs, we also need volunteers for many non-medical roles:

• Event planning and coordination
• Social media and communications
• Grant writing and fundraising
• Administrative support
• Photography and videography
• Translation services (especially Mandinka, Wolof, or Fula)

Medical mission volunteers must meet these requirements:

• Current professional license in good standing
• Malpractice insurance that covers international work
• Up-to-date vaccinations (Yellow Fever required for The Gambia)
• Ability to commit to the full mission duration (typically 10-14 days)
• Flexibility and cultural sensitivity

We provide pre-mission orientation and support with logistics.

For medical missions, volunteers typically cover their own travel expenses (flights, visas, vaccinations). We assist with:

• In-country accommodation arrangements
• Local transportation
• Meals during the mission
• Logistics and coordination

Some volunteers choose to fundraise to cover their expenses. We can provide fundraising support and tax-deductible donation receipts for their supporters.

Our programs focus on three main areas:

• Equipment Donations: Providing anesthesia machines, patient monitors, and surgical supplies to healthcare facilities
• Training & Education: Conducting workshops for healthcare providers and supporting curriculum development at the University of The Gambia
• Medical Missions: Annual trips where our team provides direct patient care and mentorship

All programs are designed to build sustainable, long-term improvements in healthcare delivery.

We partner with multiple healthcare facilities across The Gambia, including:

• Edward Francis Small Teaching Hospital (Banjul)
• Farafenni General Hospital
• Bansang Hospital
• Regional health centers in rural areas

We work closely with the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare to identify facilities with the greatest need.

Sustainability is central to our approach:

• We train local technicians to maintain and repair donated equipment
• Our education programs build local capacity rather than creating dependency
• We work with Gambian healthcare professionals as partners, not just recipients
• Equipment donations include spare parts and maintenance supplies
• We follow up regularly to ensure continued success

We track our impact through multiple metrics:

• Number of surgical procedures safely performed with donated equipment
• Healthcare providers trained and certified
• Equipment uptime and maintenance records
• Patient outcomes and safety improvements
• Feedback from partner hospitals and healthcare workers

We publish annual impact reports detailing our achievements and areas for improvement.

We occasionally arrange site visits for major donors, partners, and stakeholders. These visits must be:

• Scheduled well in advance
• Coordinated with our local partners
• Respectful of patient privacy and hospital operations

If you're interested in visiting our programs, please contact us at ebouc@rootshealthgambia.org to discuss possibilities.