|
Varied
visits with much discussion with Francis the Director on a range of issues
needed for trustee information and some for discussion and further
consideration.
OFFICE
India, Fran’s daughter, is now working through all the sponsorship
accounts and files etc with Fran and discussing a tighter system for both
sides of the Atlantic, we are grateful to them both. A visit in January by
Sheila our sponsorship secretary will be of mutual benefit to all.
FEB
08 UPDATE
Updating almost completed and an arrangement made for Suzanne Pinkney to
be employed for two days a week from mid April in the office, for the need
for a UK administrator backed by Gambian staff in Gambia is
undeniable. The earlier visit by Sheila, our sponsorship secretary, ironed
out many of the problems that have beset us – thank you Sheila for your
valuable input.
PROJECT
UPDATES – BRIEFS FOR WEB PAGE
Fran is to produce the above at his earliest convenience for Dawn Webster
to update the web page. Dawn has already made a good start. Please also keep Dawn up to date with your
news and of course Rose and Angie for the wonderful newsletters they
produce.
FEB
08 UPDATE
Much updating has already taken place and continues – the next edition
of the newsletter is also being compiled for distribution in April/May 08.
We are grateful to both Dawn and Rose and Angie for their expertise.
STUDENT
DIRECTORY ETC.
It was agreed full names of child and sponsor be put on website –
subject to approval of UK and Gambian families.
FEB
08 UPDATE
Photos and school reports are still outstanding in some cases – but with
major staff problems and reductions in Gambia this is currently
unavoidable. Sterling work continues to bring everything up to date and
improve communications and information exchange both sides of the Atlantic
TEACHERS'
SALARIES
Current wage level has been maintained but currency exchange rates have
not allowed the agreed uplifts to be implemented.
FEB
08 UPDATE
Government dues all paid and up to date for staff.
HELEN
DOWNIE - SUPPORTER
Nfamara will visit UK next year to experience UK teaching methods with
Helen’s support.
FEB
08 UPDATE
Arrangements for the above continue to progress.
CORPORATE
FUNDRAISING
Mr.
Tony Bond, an accountant has kindly agreed to become an Adviser to the
trustees heading up corporate fundraising.
Our former and very able trustee Shirley Britton continues her role as
core fundraiser in an Adviser position. We are grateful to them both.
GTS/GETSUK,
PUBLIC RELATIONS AND TEACHING COSTS
It is hoped the very recent appointment of a young Gambian Alex
will finally instigate usage and display of the varied publicity
information produced mainly by Shirley.The
completed forms will be marked as instigated by Alex and will be recorded.
Any one who receives such a form with Alex’s name on it please note and
advise me.
It
has been agreed individual student numbers will be capped and efforts made
to raise regular funding for sponsorship of teachers' costs, training
and support. |
Alex Sowe
|
FEB
08 UPDATE
Alex had made a very good start by Feb 08 and encouraged several regular
standing order sponsorships to assist with teaching costs.
MAJOR
SPONSORS
A
wonderful evening was spent at Fran and Filly’s house with David Goss
(Castellan) Steve and Jenny Maw (Essau) and Ian who designed the kettle
for use in Gambia. Filley produced a meal second to none and David
produced champagne!! (None of which I must add was funded from charitable
monies – we all pay all our own expenses!)It was good to simply relax
and laugh together and was the highlight of my visit.But we did work too!
FEB
08 UPDATE
More social evenings held at Fran’s – a lovely mix of work and play
– with a great meal produced by Filley, Fran’s Gambian wife.
GETSUK/GTS
DREAM SCHOOL. 3 – UNIVERSITY LEVEL
At the last minute before leaving the UK I received a call from a Mr David
Allen who had previously met Fran and sought his opinion on investing some
£10,000 towards building a school on the outskirts of Serekunda having
given financial support to a small private school in Bundung. Talk
of the possibility of free land to build a school being made available by
the community in Brusambala (between Yundum and Brikama) led to a meeting
with the local councillor, Jattaba Bolong being arranged which David
requested Fran and I attend. This we did. Mr.Bolong was an educated and
well-travelled environmentalist and listened with great interest to
Fran’s brief on the charity’s accomplishments and dream school. He is
now going to discuss further with the community of Brusambala and we await
the outcome and possible further discussions in the future.
FEB
08 UPDATE
On this visit I actually saw the site earmarked for the 3 – university
project – it is massive and exciting. Many investigations regarding
land and building permission etc must be thoroughly investigated
and clarified before we can definitely decide to commit to what is a very
large project indeed. Please go to the latest update on the Sunrise
Centre for latest details and the aims of the project.
LONDON
CORNER (DUMBARTON)
Quick visit only – has new and very active headmistress. The children
were busy and happy. A good feeding programme is in situ and the funding
of this school is by the good people of Dumbarton in Scotland. GETS/GTS
manages the school on their behalf.
BAKOTEH
NURSERY SCHOOL
I took Sue Pinkney to Bakoteh with me and she spent time with the children
whilst I discussed school matters with Nfamara. Registers, work plans and
written work were all seen, with evidence of discipline and learning.The
school, like most schools in Gambia, looks shabby with yet again a need
for redecoration.The toilets were used and fairly clean.The lack of a
playground area is of concern.There is no formal feeding programme in
situ. (The World Food Programme has been withdrawn from all nursery
schools pending investigations into corruption.)
ESSAU
- NORTH BANK
Famara
our Education Manager explained how his education programme is being used
in all schools under GETS/GTS except for Essau and his varied concerns and
difficulties with the Headmaster of Essau.
Fran
had also voiced major concerns on a double funding possibility and the
opening of a private bank account by Malick with proof via an email from
Malick to a sponsor requesting that future payments by- pass the charity
and go straight into this account. Fran had the email from the sponsor,
who had forwarded it to him stating her concern.
A
meeting was arranged with the Chairman and Committee representatives of
Essau, Malick, Musa, Nfamara, Fran and myself. It
was not a pleasant experience but very necessary.
The
main points of our concerns outlined firmly by Fran were:-
1.
The separate bank account and requesting sponsors to pay into it.
2.
Two donation books – with no record of a cash donation made recently by
Steve and Jenny Maw.
3.
The Headmaster running his own business and charging the children for
education against the charity's strict rules.
4.
His non-compliance with capping children numbers at 120 as directed –
one class had 57 children in it!!! – Totally unacceptable.
5.
No registration records or records on children.
6.
12 months of donations not forwarded to the charity office.
Fran
asked if the committee wished to ‘go it alone’ – of course they did
not. They acknowledged the dishonesty but asked they be given a chance to
put things right.
Fran
underlined our loss of confidence in the Headmaster but agreed, subject to
the following being implemented immediately and being sustained, to
continue to administer and fund Essau with a review in three months time.
A
written memo of expectation from the charity was issued. This memo
forewarned all staff of expected changes in the delivery of education,
administration and handling of sponsorships monies and attached
record keeping. Having
arranged and met the training fees for the teachers the charity expects
its staff in all schools to further develop their skills –
their success will be linked to salary rises with the goal of doubling
wages within two years.
If
the above does not happen in Essau then the community must replace the
Headmaster. Further problems will lead to trustee/sponsor discussion of
withdrawal of support to Essau.
In
the meantime the outstanding work, for which monies are to hand, is put on
hold pending the expected improvements.
They
are:-
Outstanding painting.
Fixing of notice boards in the classrooms
Obtaining costing for fencing off school.
Extending veranda.
The
following will be done now:-
The desks arranged to arrive a day or two later will be delivered for the
new classroom.
Completion of water connection and fitting of hardware to toilets.
A new notice board with the charities name and contact to be immediately
arranged.
FEB.
08 UPDATE
Unfortunately the situation at Essau has not improved. No efforts had been
made to adhere to the charity’s Memo of Expectation and currently the
future funding of the school by GETSuk is under consideration with sponsor
opinions being sought.
ST.
PETERS SCHOOL.
A
lovely little school, though rather cramped. Good toilet facility in
African/uk style. An adjoining piece of land was being prepared as an
enclosed safe playground for the children.
The teachers were charming. Happy children and evidence of
learning and teacher skill development.
|
