Global Hands Charity

Hello,

My name is Musa Sanneh and I’m the head teacher for the Yiriwa Nursery School in the town of Brikama, a medium sized inland settlement south of the capital Banjul. Our school, until recently, was a simple 2 room building (see photos) but we endeavoured to achieve a level of basic education that took our students successfully onto the next stage of their education at primary level.

In mid 2006, we received the sad news that the school which had been our home for a long time was to be bulldozed for re-development. Within 4 weeks, the students, with nowhere to go, were out in the fields, studying with no desks, no chairs and no roof over their head. Now however we have two rented rooms again, but they are apart and this is unsuitable for a proper education splitting the students into two groups.

The reason I’m writing is this. The needs here are enormous. Everywhere throughout Brikama there are tasks which could be so easily achieved with a small amount of money. To give you an example, I am listing here the costs in establishing a school from scratch. With the help of Geof Prigge from the neighbouring district, we have compiled the following list.

SETTING UP A SCHOOL IN THE GAMBIA FROM SCRATCH

Here is an approximate breakdown…in Australian Dollars.

LAND COST IN TOWN CENTRE MEASURING 30m x 30m…     
$6000

A SIMPLE BUILDING COMPRISING TWO ROOMS SUITABLE FOR APPROX IMATELY 43 STUDENTS EACH…                     
$1900

DESKS AND NECESSARY ITEMS FOR THESE ROOMS…           
$ 600

STATIONERY…                                         
$ 150

MEDICAL KIT…                                         
$ 35

TWO TEACHERS’ SALARIES FOR THE FIRST YEAR...          
$1100

TOTAL:                                             $9785

In many countries this total amount would not even cover desks and stationery.

UPDATE 2008...

It's now 2008 and with the kind assistance of Global Hands and their contacts in Sydney & Tasmania, we are now able to build a new school. I have been given the chance of teaching on exchange in the UK this year also and this too has brought new directions regarding education. Thanks to our UK contacts!

The photos show the progress from our old school to the interim one and now the construction of the new one.

UPDATE 2010...

Neighbouring school, Brikama Nursery School is the next school on the agenda requiring help. Former eacher Yaya Fofana from Yiriwa (pictured below in photos 2,3,7,8 & 9) has now relocated here and is seeking assistance. Anyone able to help, please contact us. Educational books, games, stationery and funds are required.