35th Anniversary message from Gambia
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Mataar Jallow, HAPC Gambia chairman’s 35th anniversary message.
It is difficult to put into words what the HAPC Colombiere School project has achieved; not only has it given the children from our village the chance of an education, but it has also brought an overwhelming joy to the villagers and people of neighbouring towns whose spirits have been lifted. Everyone I speak with, from the grateful parents of the children of the Colombiere School to government officials, all want to be associated with this life-changing project.
For this, we cannot thank enough all those who support the initiatives of HELP A POOR CHILD UK.
In September 2012, the school opened with a single classroom and one small office. This first building, under the direction of the charity, was named the Druve Patel Building after a HAPC committee member. Druve visited the village back in 2010 and first discussed the idea of establishing a school. In 2013, another building was built comprising two classrooms and a kitchen. This was named the Malcolm Smart Building, following the efforts of a keen cyclist from the UK who raised sufficient funds for its construction. The most recent development is the safety perimeter wall, which has completely elevated the profile of the school and fulfils another important requirement for the operation of a school here in Gambia.
As I write, there are 132 children enrolled in the school.
Of these 132 children, 31 have completed three years of nursery education and have progressed to the primary school level, which commenced in September 2015. Such has been the school’s popularity that, from a lengthy list of applicants for the 2015/16 academic year, 40 have been registered for admission.
The Colombiere School has provided employment to 13 Gambians without discrimination as to tribe, religion, or otherwise, and whose salaries and allowances are paid by HAPC. Funding is also provided by HAPC for their professional training, so that they have the appropriate qualifications to enhance their teaching performance.
Recently, the school organised a grand “Graduation Ceremony”, officiated by representatives from different offices of the government within the region. The occasion took many of those present by surprise, with many commenting that the performance of the children was beyond their expectation. This, alone, resulted in several more parents submitting applications for their children to be considered for admission in the forthcoming academic year.
These graduates have now been given the opportunity to advance their academic careers and progress to the primary school. Construction of this new building has commenced, which will be named the Ricky Rodrigues Building. Ricky, another HAPC committee member, accomplished a sponsored climb up Mount Kilimanjaro and raised sufficient funds for the construction costs.
SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC IMPACT
Since the establishment of the school, many people who own land in the surrounding area have started developing property here as an investment. Others have even started moving from the inner town of Soma to the area of the school, making the township more populated and livelier than ever before.
Parents have more time to do their domestic work and to carry on with their petty trading whilst their children are at school. Those employed by the school are recruited from the local community based on their qualifications and experience.
Most importantly, our children now have the opportunity of passing through this formal education system instead of whiling away their most precious time on activities of little benefit to them or the society at large.
THANK YOU SO MUCH
We are so grateful that the operations of HAPC, spanning 35 years, found this little village of Jarra Soma. Words are not enough to thank you for transforming the lives of so many who can now look forward to a future, not of neglect and misery, but of real hope.”
– Mataar Jallow