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Banyaka LBS |
Chestnut Grove School, in Balham,
London has decided to strengthen their connection to a Gambian
school through PAGEANT. They first made contact with Banyaka Lower Basic School [MAP]
over 6 years ago when Chestnut Grove teachers went on holiday
there. They were captivated by the students and this resulted in a
link being set up whereby the students from both schools would learn
from each other and also Chetsnut Grove would provide help to improve Banyaka
School. Since that time Chestnut Grove teachers have taken out lots
of stationery and teaching equipment to help the Gambian students
learn more effectively. They donated two computers and paid for
and installed solar panels to provide the school with electricity. They paid for
six disadvantaged students to be aided to go to
school for a year. They had discussions with the Gambian
Education Department which resulted in new classrooms being built, new toilet facilities and a stand-pipe to provide
clean running water.
Chestnut Grove undertakes fundraising events every year and
they have decided that, on a regular basis, money raised should go
directly to help support Gambian students to get an education. The
next fundraising events will occur in May 2010, linked to the students’
coursework tasks for their Citizenship GCSE. As a preliminary, on
8th December 2009, the students undertook a question and answer
session with people having an interest or expertise in the chosen
issue - 'The rights of children to an education'.
Ian Howard attended this event on behalf of
PAGEANT and took part in the
question and answer session. He explained exactly what
PAGEANT had done in the past to help improve the education of
students in The Gambia and encouraged the students to choose PAGEANT
as the means of disseminating the money they raise. He came away with a very generous cheque for £500, part of
which will be used for sponsorship of two children at Banyaka LBS. This sponsorship will now proceed in line with
PAGEANT policy, which is to continue with financial assistance until
the child finishes schooling in Grade 12 or equivalent. The
remainder of the money will be used for a small project at Banyaka
LBS, the nature of which will be discussed with the head teacher.
Since 2006 PAGEANT members have sponsored five children who are, or
were, at Banyaka Lower Basic School – the oldest two are now in Grade
8 at St Francis Upper Basic School, which is the nearest Secondary
School to Banyaka. This sponsorship means that we visit Banyaka LBS
ourselves each year, usually twice annually, and were in fact at the
school in October 2009. We have always found the school to be well
run and that the head teacher and staff appear to be making the most
of the assistance that Chestnut Grove and others have given them.
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