Sponsorship

Why are sponsorships needed?

In The Gambia, just like other countries round the world, education is not free. Every parent or guardian is desperate to provide schooling for their child. While the cost is very low by European standards, it is a lot for a poor family with little or no income.

There could be many reasons for kids not to get schooling, but after unemployment, the most common reason would be where kids have lost their birth parents, and are ’adopted’ by another family member. In some instances this can put a strain on already difficult finances. Perhaps an Aunt who already has a big family, or regularly by grandparents who have very limited financial means.

It is worth adding here that no one in the community will go without food and a roof, but in village communities, some distance from centres of population the community survives on a barter system. The government cannot take vegetables in place of school fees.

Jali Lower Basic School (Primary)

When I discovered that at least 10% of the official school roll did not get any education, I decided that perhaps I could do something to help. My only condition was that it must be ongoing permanently. You can't tell a kid that they can have schooling this year, but there is no money for next year.... The original aim of the Jali Education Trust way back in 2013, was to provide funds for the kids in Jali whose families finances meant they were not able to go to school. This would cover the school fees for Jali Lower Basic School (Primary).

Over the next few years I set about raising money by making and selling my craft items. Every term the fees would be sent out to the school and excess cash was banked in the UK and later, invested in a fund which would give a permanent return when I was no longer fit or able to fundraise. My family will carry on making sure the money goes where it is needed, when I'm no longer able!!!) The number of kids using the money varies every term. But with the help of the Headmaster, the School and Village Elders and the School Women's Group, (and of course the wonderful Sambujung) those in most need will benefit. Books and equipment are usually supplied out of school funds.

This means that every child in the village has the chance to go to school....fair to say that not every kid is allowed to go. Sometimes care of the young and old take precedence over schooling. It is not uncommon for kids who miss the initial P1 age, to start a few years later at the beginning. Learning is not age related, but ability related and just part of society over there, no stigma attached.

Cost per year is £15 (variable depending on exchange rate)

Upper Basic School (Middle School)

The next stage in the schooling system is Middle School. This is not in the village of Jali. The kids must travel to the next larger community of Keneba. Middle School is over three years. Last year I started a sponsorship scheme whereby when my fundraising had reached an excess of £250 this was put into a separate account and it provides a guaranteed three years of sponsorship for 1 kid. Currently we are sponsoring 5 kids from the village to attend Middle School. They are kids who have the ability but where parents/guardians lack funds.

Regrettably, at my age, I cannot set up a Trust Fund to make this a permanent situation, but I have now set up an 8 year plan to send 5 kids every year to Middle School. Who knows what the future of education in The Gambia has in store. Perhaps in the next few years schooling will be free for all. It is difficult to explain accurately the costing system of education in The Gambia. After Lower Basic School it is dependant on which school and where, with additional costs of books, uniforms, food and transport the sum involved will increase every year the kid is at school. So my quotes are only a guideline.

Costs for year 1 could be £65/£75 for fees, books, uniform and incidental expenses.

(variable depending on exchange rate)

High School

High School is now in Keneba, which is a continuation of Middle School. The school completes the last three years of the scholastic system in The Gambia. This means that kids no longer have to travel and board away from home, as they had to do in recent years. This stage in the system involves a much bigger expenditure. Books, uniforms and equipment start costing a lot of money which is possible by only a very few families in the village.

Recently a wonderful group of people who had met a 'few' years ago in the Gambia during a Duke of Edinburgh Award trip, asked me to set up a Bursery close to their hearts. The Mary and Khadija Bursery. Mary and her daughter Khadija both lost their lives in The Grenfell Tower Fire. Mary was an important part of the group's time in The Gambia, this is their way of remembering Mary.

Binta and Bubacarra from the village are now into year 3 of 3 years at High School in Keneba. I had the pleasure of meeting them this year, and 2 better rounded and educated kids I have never met. Their sponsors, their parents and their village should be immensely proud of them. They are both Grade 'A' students with a wonderful future ahead of them. Fees, transport, books and uniforms have all been paid from this Bursary. A wonderful gesture......and a big thank you from everyone in The Gambia. As some of you may already know, Arthritis in my hands has forced me to drastically reduce my crafting, so I am in the process of retiring......slowly.

My Retirement Project is to raise £3500

to continue our 8 year plan for Middle School and allow 1 kid from the group to go to High School.

I hope to achieve this by selling my 'backlog' stock at special prices, as well as my materials with yarns at 100% of the sales going to build this fund.

this will take a good year to complete and i hope to continue to be at my 2 regular markets in Culbokie and North Kessock and I will also post some great bargains on Facebook.

Costs are very variable but about £135 - £150 per kids (depending on exchange rate)

University

The Gambia has one university, with different departments scattered around the country. This is an area I would love to get involved in, but it would be very easy to spread the finances too thin. So perhaps another day. Cost per year approximately £600 (variable depending on course and exchange rate) But again the additional costs of books, equipment etyc and the cost of accomodation, more than doubles this figure.

A little fact.
Currently, in the Gambia, it costs more than £3000 in school fees and equipment, to educate a child from P1 until the end of University. Very few families can afford this. It puts some things into perspective.