Yesterday was a special day for us, which we are very proud of.
Thirteen years ago, during a conversation with a security guard who was working at the apartment block we were staying in in Faraja, he told me that his two sons were at nursery school, but his older daughter was not, because his family "could not afford to send her".
 |
| Isatou Janko, whose parents couldn't afford to send her to school |
I promised that we would pay all school-related costs (fees, where applicable), uniform, lunches, stationery, outings, extra classes, etc, for as long as she was in full-time education in the country.
Yesterday, Isatou Janko graduated from high school and will be entering nursing college in The Gambia in September.
We will continue to support her through her tertiary education.
One of her two brothers has dropped out of school and the other one continues to do pretty well. Isa has a 14-year-old sister whose examination performance is quite exceptional - always top of the class in almost every subject (well, we can't all be good at woodwork!).
We will support her for as long and far as she goes in the Gambian education system.
Isa and dad, Hasim, who never gave up, and saw his dreams come through
The photos tell their own story of a little girl whose wildest dreams have come true and of parents whose pride in her achievement glows right through.
We've often been asked why we bother with schools in a faraway African country, "where, you'll only get ripped off".
The pictures in this post answer all of those questions, and more.
 |
| Isatou Janko, with her proud-as-punch parents at yeterday's graduation ceremony |
Well done, Isa - and to your parents who have sacrificed and gone out of their way to support you.
Footnote. As we mentioned previously, we have significantly reduced our involvement in Gambian education (age takes its toll), but the charity remains open. We still receive a trickle of donations, mainly from family. We will continue to support Isa, her family, and a small number of others in similar situations for as long as time and resources allow.
Thanks again for your support and encouragement over the years. We hope that the photos in this blog are reward enough for your commitment.
