FAQs

  • The Atlantic Slave Memorial is a living tribute to the millions of Africans who were forcibly taken across the Atlantic during the transatlantic slave trade. It involves planting 15 million trees in The Gambia—one for each life lost—along the Great Green Wall, creating a powerful symbol of remembrance, resilience, and renewal.

  • The memorial will take root along the northern bank of the Gambian River, one of the historic departure points of enslaved Africans. It will also be part of Africa’s Great Green Wall, a 5,000-mile reforestation initiative stretching from The Gambia to Djibouti.

  • Trees symbolize life, endurance, and regeneration. By restoring degraded lands, this memorial not only honors the past but actively contributes to a sustainable future, combating climate change and creating economic opportunities for local communities.

  • The initiative will provide jobs in tree planting, conservation, and sustainable land management. It will also promote climate-resilient livelihoods, such as beekeeping, agroforestry, and mangrove restoration, improving food security and income for communities in The Gambia.

  • The memorial will:

    • Restore degraded lands and prevent desertification.

    • Sequester carbon and help combat climate change.

    • Protect biodiversity by restoring natural ecosystems.

    • Strengthen coastal resilience through mangrove restoration.

  • The forces of extraction, exploitation, and displacement that fueled the transatlantic slave trade continue today in different forms—environmental degradation, forced migration, and economic inequalities. The memorial links past injustices with present challenges, offering a restorative solution rooted in environmental and racial justice.

  • We invite people everywhere to participate by:

    • Supporting the memorial through donations.

    • Advocating for racial and environmental justice.

    • Hosting events and discussions to raise awareness.

    • Partnering with us to scale the impact of this initiative.

  • The project is being led by local Gambian communities under the leadership of Green Up Gambia, environmental experts, and partners dedicated to reforestation, sustainable development, and historical remembrance. The concept for the project was created by Hope Initiatives International and Pollen.

  • You can contribute by visiting our Donate page, where you’ll find options to support tree planting, community-led conservation efforts, and educational programs linked to the memorial.

  • We will track progress through:

    • The number of trees planted and their survival rates.

    • The socio-economic benefits provided to local communities.

    • The level of global engagement and awareness raised.

      • The impact on restoring ecosystems and mitigating climate change.