NEWSLETTER February
2007
It has been three years since we last produced
a newsletter and much has changed in that time. Firstly we have changed the
name of the charity to Friends of Gambian Educational Projects. This change
reflects the more general nature of our support for education in the Gambia. We still however support the school in Essau,
on the north bank, which has changed its
name to “Essau Community Nursery School”
The
school has on its register 198 children, whose ages range from 3 to 7. The
headmaster Malick Manneh is supported by three teachers, Musa Sonko, Pa
Ebrima Touray and Michelle Mendy. On our recent visit we found a very happy,
lively and noisy atmosphere created by
these teachers and enthusiastic children. With support from the village community
a third classroom is under construction but work has halted as the money has
run out. The adminstration and additional funding of the school is managed by
GETS, the educational charity arm of GTS. www.getsuk.org.
The school
still needs additional funding to complete the third classroom and complete
other major projects and needs a constant monthly funding to pay the teachers
and caretaker. This school gives the children a head start because without it
many of the children would never receive any early learning or any higher
education.
John.d.Skingsley,
6 Redhoods Way East,
Letchworth Garden City, Herts SG6 4DF
email john.d.skingsley@tesco.net
