Jali Education Trust

The well supplies water for three main areas in the school and grounds. The main reason for providing the well was for the wool garden. The old well was contaminated and not fit for purpose most of the year. At the time the garden provided 2 main areas of activity within the school. It provided vegetables for the school kitchen, providing food for all kids that attended school. The second reason is that in country areas both boys and girls must understand the food supply for their community.... so along with science classes it is a lesson in self sufficiency.

The well would also provide water to the school kitchen and taps for the pupils' ablutions. My particular interest was that the surrounding farmland had been lying fallow for almost 20 years, and The Gambia has large areas of excellent quality soil, and water which, with a little financial help is abundant just under the surface. Add sun for most of the year, and it has a perfect grounding for self sufficiency of the whole country. Therefore reducing the need for imported food.

I added a few conditions to the gift of the well. I wanted to see the school garden doubled in size and therefore the garden productivity doubled. This would result in excess vegetables which should be sold in the local market to raise funds for the school to improve the supply of books etc for the kids. It's been a few years now, but every time I revisited the school I could see that little improvements had been made. Every new bit of cultivated land had to be fenced to keep off
unwelcome visitors (animals).

This year, after a little break due to covid restrictions, I was ‘over the moon’ to discover that my challenge had been achieved. The garden is now twice the size and production increased accordingly. The school funds are now benefiting for self achieved profits.