A Word From Our Founder
Dear Friends, Supporters, and Partners,
I want to take a moment to express my heartfelt gratitude to each of you for your support of JOYE and the children and communities we serve. Your belief in our mission helps us make a difference every single day, and for that, I am truly thankful.
My journey to creating JOYE began with a personal experience. Growing up, I saw firsthand how opportunities—whether in education, mentorship, or simply feeling seen and valued—can change everything. For me, it wasn’t just about attending school; it was about having someone believe in me, giving me the hope and encouragement to work hard, stay focused, and ultimately change the direction of my life. Without that support, I wouldn’t be where I am today.
It was this realization that inspired me to found JOYE. I knew that there were countless children out there, just like I was, dreaming of a better future but lacking the resources or the voice to ask for help. That’s why JOYE exists—to give these children a voice, to provide them with hope, and to open doors of opportunity for them to succeed.
Since our founding in 2011, JOYE has been dedicated to fostering youth excellence through education and empowerment. What started as a small program to support 50 students in The Gambia quickly grew into a robust initiative that serves hundreds of students across multiple countries. We’ve been able to provide educational support, mentorship, and community development to children who need it most.
Today, JOYE operates several impactful programs:
- Education Assistance: We support students with school supplies, tuition, meal plans, hygiene products, and clothing.
- Enrichment Programs: We offer after-school programs, summer technology camps, tutoring, mentoring, and sporting activities.
- Community Development: Our initiatives include seeding programs, Adopt-a-Highway projects, and providing access to clean water.
Annually, JOYE positively impacts over 500 students through education and enrichment programs and provides access to clean water for over 25,000 people through our community development initiatives.
The work we do at JOYE is built on the belief that through education, proper nutrition, and care, every child has the potential to unlock a bright future. Whether it’s providing school supplies, offering after-school programs, building clean water systems, or offering mentorship, our goal is to create an environment where every child feels valued and capable of reaching their full potential.
None of this would be possible without the help of our supporters, volunteers, and donors. As a 100% volunteer-based organization, we rely on the generosity of individuals like you to fund our programs. 100% of the donations we receive go directly to supporting our initiatives, ensuring that every penny makes a direct impact in the lives of the children and families we serve.
Looking ahead, we remain steadfast in our mission to create lasting change in the lives of children, families, and communities. We are deeply grateful for your ongoing support, and we are excited to continue this journey together.
Thank you for being part of the JOYE family. With your help, we are creating a world where every child has the opportunity to dream big and achieve even bigger.
Warm regards,
Alphy Jurarim
Founder, JOYE (Jurarim Organization for Youth Excellence)
