tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-61481027873545529192024-02-20T14:29:42.337+00:00Sohm Schools SupportMichelle Ohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02786732761856671353noreply@blogger.comBlogger105125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6148102787354552919.post-18820458973899825912023-07-22T19:02:00.001+01:002023-07-24T12:23:07.140+01:00Schools' out for summer!<p><span style="font-family: verdana;">As schools break up for the summer holidays in The Gambia and Britain, its time to reflect back on another successful year of fund-raising in the UK and beyond, and of progress in the schools in Sohm.</span></p><p></p><p></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Beech Hill community primary school, in Luton, has been twinned with the Sohm Lower Basic school for around five years now, and in the past their pupils have exchanged letters and artwork, as they share common interests and swapped stories of each others' lives.</span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyNsEgOzQ2BKz3Da3Z9EPCDyh1fa6G7fi5f2BpG5NO4O9FtbYenQlMbs1X0r7qnQbLstmrOy0DNihsP6y_3YCmq06Ye9W2D9AGfMeSLkskL4qIMVm6MYV5mgMd5eOQ6ePkoFCaCRqa_6ceXxpI3OgREOa7udE3tR709Uku3qYNFLBl0swyr2Yf7G9cVmcB/s1032/LBS%20and%20Beech%20Hill%20(1).jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="905" data-original-width="1032" height="368" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyNsEgOzQ2BKz3Da3Z9EPCDyh1fa6G7fi5f2BpG5NO4O9FtbYenQlMbs1X0r7qnQbLstmrOy0DNihsP6y_3YCmq06Ye9W2D9AGfMeSLkskL4qIMVm6MYV5mgMd5eOQ6ePkoFCaCRqa_6ceXxpI3OgREOa7udE3tR709Uku3qYNFLBl0swyr2Yf7G9cVmcB/w419-h368/LBS%20and%20Beech%20Hill%20(1).jpg" width="419" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sohm Lower Basic pupils, demonstrating their twinning with Beech Hill school<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">In the last week of the summer term, Beech Hill held one of their now annual "Gambia Days", where pupils went to school dressed in the colours of the Gambian flag. After assemblies lead by Sandra and John from SSS on life in the village of Sohm and what has happened to previous years' donations from Beech Hill to Sohm, the Luton youngsters embarked on a day of classroom activities - focussing on life in The Gambia.</span></p><div style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="810" data-original-width="1080" height="373" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhatDXlnPlmKvOn6x854807dyxDx8G30BofYkckbykRHM0kk9OP0e76ccr5qydvXo2Y_O-d6jyOEkkoYXl5Jx85DDlwLiSt1Rr0K0yJCeuV3aL_tbVWx3_yIynKT1R224OxijVZk3e5M1YiwiFoePc9X7nARmz9VYMJyOHTrmQ-qWDxYX2umMgYPSLK-DDR/w497-h373/Beech%20Hill%202023%20displaying%20artwork,%20with%20J%20.JPG" width="497" /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhatDXlnPlmKvOn6x854807dyxDx8G30BofYkckbykRHM0kk9OP0e76ccr5qydvXo2Y_O-d6jyOEkkoYXl5Jx85DDlwLiSt1Rr0K0yJCeuV3aL_tbVWx3_yIynKT1R224OxijVZk3e5M1YiwiFoePc9X7nARmz9VYMJyOHTrmQ-qWDxYX2umMgYPSLK-DDR/s1080/Beech%20Hill%202023%20displaying%20artwork,%20with%20J%20.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">Above and below - Beech Hill pupils displaying some of their project work on "Gambia Day" <br /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><u> </u></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHNUAqLJDTr1-ELe0sU6VD1i_zlsw2nPHGHzKK3FwrY-g2R6EX7LvyQU4MeQOaNFKN4dg9VoGoLCR6OlL4VkQgq3s8zST2d9VPkPTkva_2oT7I5SWVG0BTG0aOwH3T95RS5IGhw8fhOcaLtYuke9p62F9HHVIqLlWGcz4se9CSNLi0O_DU-q9CeQu4IMvJ/s3264/Beech%20Hill%202023%20displaying%20artwork.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2448" data-original-width="3264" height="368" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHNUAqLJDTr1-ELe0sU6VD1i_zlsw2nPHGHzKK3FwrY-g2R6EX7LvyQU4MeQOaNFKN4dg9VoGoLCR6OlL4VkQgq3s8zST2d9VPkPTkva_2oT7I5SWVG0BTG0aOwH3T95RS5IGhw8fhOcaLtYuke9p62F9HHVIqLlWGcz4se9CSNLi0O_DU-q9CeQu4IMvJ/w490-h368/Beech%20Hill%202023%20displaying%20artwork.JPG" width="490" /></a></div><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">There was story telling, art classes, dancing, geography lessons, sessions painting Gambian flags and African masks and a drumming workshop, lead by a local Ghanaian drummer.</span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE9-eLcJNQ_zXC2V7XRWZj72dpkbZpcCOVjP7RgktzHhwrw9U5gVmW8gyANbQ90AlVMhO5eqQJojtAhqCehGfx97eIQKE_Ofn_ZZ9qmrZ9mxkrXJauKT4d-uCYivIbaj74_mVQqH-CjV2GfovKR2IlvzZlJfeEk_3kSWf32czWpt_Aw1TTq59R1hgRcWQ7/s3264/Beech%20Hill%202023%20drumming%20outside.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2448" data-original-width="3264" height="363" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE9-eLcJNQ_zXC2V7XRWZj72dpkbZpcCOVjP7RgktzHhwrw9U5gVmW8gyANbQ90AlVMhO5eqQJojtAhqCehGfx97eIQKE_Ofn_ZZ9qmrZ9mxkrXJauKT4d-uCYivIbaj74_mVQqH-CjV2GfovKR2IlvzZlJfeEk_3kSWf32czWpt_Aw1TTq59R1hgRcWQ7/w484-h363/Beech%20Hill%202023%20drumming%20outside.JPG" width="484" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Drumming workshop at Beech Hill school's Gambia Day, July 2023<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">The day ended with a sale, in the school playground, of food cooked by some of the parents and sold to others, as they came to pick up their childrern from school.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">In total, over £1,500 was raised on the day, including Gift Aid. That sum will be more than enough to buy the entire stationery supply for pupils and teachers alike, in Sohm over the next 12 months. Fund-raising like this greatly enhances the educational opportunities the Sohm youngsters have, and has had the effect of propelling the school up the local league tables, to become an exemplar for rural schools in the region.</span></p><br /><br /><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Earlier during the year, Sohm Lower Basic school celebrated a long-time supporter of the school (via SSS) and its library, by naming the library after him- The Brain Bamford Library - after his death. Brian's family chose not to have flowers or donations at his funeral, but instead donated the collection to Sohm Lower Basic school, to be spent on books for the school - his life long passion. Later, a close friend of Brian arranged a fund raisng "Mad Hatter's Tea Party", in his memory with funds going to Sohm, in Australia! Thanks, to one and all from the pupils of Sohm!</span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBU21HjEtj5x9j--qifehX1Bbhsa_uAIFrkDSff0xGc0QdT-N4uAwZWpR56MtWCOrhyQ6r7IU5-a_sl83lRx0_nMgBdaBnbyKDvxyf24GjwTGXY4cVFDNRyxnQVx4uknPXe-pornX0H9l30Wx8a4leOVfntEeOsiERbyDx0OMni2MJesEw_82J8vG1rc-k/s1024/Brian%20library%202.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBU21HjEtj5x9j--qifehX1Bbhsa_uAIFrkDSff0xGc0QdT-N4uAwZWpR56MtWCOrhyQ6r7IU5-a_sl83lRx0_nMgBdaBnbyKDvxyf24GjwTGXY4cVFDNRyxnQVx4uknPXe-pornX0H9l30Wx8a4leOVfntEeOsiERbyDx0OMni2MJesEw_82J8vG1rc-k/w426-h320/Brian%20library%202.JPG" width="426" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Brian Bamford library - Sohm Lower Basic school<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">The photos show Sohm's pupils gratefully receiving the results of these donations, in bulk, and in the classroom. <br /></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYxsJrFSUb4Y8ak3DMUo4v4EfXzloHp_-iJO4gnuSqwkuYWBhsEJoPqcsKT3lCFdmUWGjcOFz--O5BcVT_gfhb5cXlCmdOGubjsR66kaG_BTVBnC_xE-bWPIxHl-Yc4SosuSspJgdH7F_y6tWtWcM8V-gStEa8oFtQgReUbceRjY7l2OGy5EPTtFjbAWrq/s1024/stationery%202023.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1024" height="325" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYxsJrFSUb4Y8ak3DMUo4v4EfXzloHp_-iJO4gnuSqwkuYWBhsEJoPqcsKT3lCFdmUWGjcOFz--O5BcVT_gfhb5cXlCmdOGubjsR66kaG_BTVBnC_xE-bWPIxHl-Yc4SosuSspJgdH7F_y6tWtWcM8V-gStEa8oFtQgReUbceRjY7l2OGy5EPTtFjbAWrq/w433-h325/stationery%202023.JPG" width="433" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Above and below - stationery supplies for a whole year - made possible by the donations<br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm_FAvmJBAdlnCxMzug8FqvgiAeGIO3feO__HSB_cGQq96mqXIokNSt-2aDjGjqbgxhtB_0Q3Lmh8a_TMS6bYJuL1_GD9Uagji5P3AsSmWFtmQHvIFYJebe5ElvaKSb7BTa0FIfIPjn3R9l0I_CXNfr0KWfZYYh-PxnyUoSzkKkyzh_xFhLoQJFVNZCJ9H/s3485/IMG_2805%20-%20Copy.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3060" data-original-width="3485" height="391" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm_FAvmJBAdlnCxMzug8FqvgiAeGIO3feO__HSB_cGQq96mqXIokNSt-2aDjGjqbgxhtB_0Q3Lmh8a_TMS6bYJuL1_GD9Uagji5P3AsSmWFtmQHvIFYJebe5ElvaKSb7BTa0FIfIPjn3R9l0I_CXNfr0KWfZYYh-PxnyUoSzkKkyzh_xFhLoQJFVNZCJ9H/w444-h391/IMG_2805%20-%20Copy.JPG" width="444" /></a></div><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">The largest project currently up and running in the village is the construction of staff quarters for around three dozen teachers from both the primary and secondary school in the village. In the past we have tried to renovate the frankly deplorable staff living quarters. But their still poor state had become a staff recruitment issue, as potentail teachers have been unwilling to take up jobs in a fairly remote village with pretty dreadful accommodation..</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">About a year ago we worked up plans with the Gambian Ministry of Education, the head teachers of the two schools in Sohm and a contractor we had successfully worked with on major projects before, to build new accommodation for 36 teachers in premises that was owned by the Ministry of Education, in the village, and set about trying to find a sponsor.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">We were absolutely delighted when our friends from Jersey - the Jersey Gambia Schools Trust - were able to find a very generous benefactor, whose funding was matched by that from the Jersey government and work began on the construction of the new housing units.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Building is currently at a very advanced stage of development, and hopefully teachers from both the primary and secondary schools will be able to move in before Christmas.</span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkYjIvBOrgXrYohYAD7zjIVzxUaXQO7IPPdhI0yo2GwgMIVzbf8DNK1yeHevk7i2DZHFXy1gNUxvyVTboPnnEvHor1nu12fw60BowUOMBeHGEtWLrT-KP-l14S3rwxQtr5KO2QWz3u52AbaJGHCrgEmuZD96l_iIJK7Zp_2uTM15bXudq80lPC_1FX3VFN/s1080/new%20teachers'%20accommodation.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="486" data-original-width="1080" height="230" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkYjIvBOrgXrYohYAD7zjIVzxUaXQO7IPPdhI0yo2GwgMIVzbf8DNK1yeHevk7i2DZHFXy1gNUxvyVTboPnnEvHor1nu12fw60BowUOMBeHGEtWLrT-KP-l14S3rwxQtr5KO2QWz3u52AbaJGHCrgEmuZD96l_iIJK7Zp_2uTM15bXudq80lPC_1FX3VFN/w511-h230/new%20teachers'%20accommodation.JPG" width="511" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">New teachers' accommodation in the village of Sohm, under construction<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">The result will make teaching in Sohm a more welcoming prospect for would-be recruits, who will find - as a result of the efforts of supporters of this charity - a relatively well resourced couple of schools in which to work.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">We've been involved with Sohm for twelve years now, and the turnaround in conditions in the schools and standards of teaching, and now accommodation have been quite remarkable and been shown in improvements in educational achievements in the village.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">This would not have been possible without the generosity of supporters of our charity.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">We thank you all - and join the pupils in the schools in wishing you a great summer!</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">We'll be back, looking for further advances in Sohm's schools in the autumn term!</span><br /></p>John Walkerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07186291200017823878noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6148102787354552919.post-64503724857930987122022-11-23T10:57:00.000+00:002022-11-23T10:57:37.539+00:00Signing off the Sukuta project (2)<p><span style="font-family: verdana;">This is the second of two articles signifying the successful conclusion of our Sukuta Project. The first immediately precedes it, on this blog<br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">We have feautured the project frequently over the last three years in words and pictures. This episode is aimed at showing,
mainly in picture form, the difference your - and Rotary's - money has
made to the 2,000 children attending the school.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBEAD_tjvXvQpa0i7MOpv9baA0fvzqzekptbJN_1fK82YaPvDAgZzFouOKCRFivAvzczsHdV-rMMCy1rOLdl9IDB9r5pZ9zquijFDOEBaRLpuRYXN3N59qE4A9EzK5vI49h23Qb6nMPWy1pMyD12AZg0M3S33q4JtqY7G3pFexfUk4O61WTUFVQOeN8A/s1032/March%202022%20signing%20ceremony.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="774" data-original-width="1032" height="399" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBEAD_tjvXvQpa0i7MOpv9baA0fvzqzekptbJN_1fK82YaPvDAgZzFouOKCRFivAvzczsHdV-rMMCy1rOLdl9IDB9r5pZ9zquijFDOEBaRLpuRYXN3N59qE4A9EzK5vI49h23Qb6nMPWy1pMyD12AZg0M3S33q4JtqY7G3pFexfUk4O61WTUFVQOeN8A/w531-h399/March%202022%20signing%20ceremony.JPG" width="531" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>On International Women's Day 2022, the then head of Sukuta LBS (Mariam Mendy, dressed in white, second from left), the CEO of contractors Future In Our Hands (Jainaba Sarr, dressed in orange, second from right), together with then President of Brusubi Rotary club (Omar Jallow, far left) and John Walker, representing Sohm Schools Support and Redbridge Rotary (far right) sign contract for FIOH to deliver the Sukuta project.</i></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i> </i><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"> </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">There were seven
aspects to the project. Below, adopting a before and after approach, we
present a photographic essay of the differene our Sukuta project has
made to a large number of young African lives, now and for many years
into the future.</span></p><p style="margin-left: 40px; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Water Supply</span></span></b></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="464" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfYvQJTMT1mczcaj03ENlOvM8EeN7kZyI1D1bAPYuXrjMsyyBZR4Euj7aj0om5GmS29WWOHcd9Qjhj75Us6o5e5GK-HqTNG-c1aXLzN50KajXZYMSvt9B5t4c00VXTp-5qZT7JyDFLHHXIAKmyRxcxCCLGleJAQtiYFs13eL3ixHyifDszipSkz3tjGA/w348-h464/Old%20water%20provision%20-%20just%20one%20tank.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="348" /></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i><b>Before:</b> one water tank for 2,000 pupils</i></span><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p style="margin-left: 40px; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"> </span></span></b></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqXg_12omq7iajglrLAGYg23PeSmEAQaCxHAvCuGyMCHk4609nulIf86IcekE9M_FZIeJsraiPgEV0Muu52f-SxPF60iwg4SjE1AkoZnYURljndBIN_cnxRwGO7GvE7iHSAbAfs54PiNhi0-j_7x-605KgmawtwrMbmAftQ6cNTVSVKveVkoa80dpscQ/s1032/New%20water%20tank,%20ready%20for%20installation.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="774" data-original-width="1032" height="308" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqXg_12omq7iajglrLAGYg23PeSmEAQaCxHAvCuGyMCHk4609nulIf86IcekE9M_FZIeJsraiPgEV0Muu52f-SxPF60iwg4SjE1AkoZnYURljndBIN_cnxRwGO7GvE7iHSAbAfs54PiNhi0-j_7x-605KgmawtwrMbmAftQ6cNTVSVKveVkoa80dpscQ/w411-h308/New%20water%20tank,%20ready%20for%20installation.JPG" width="411" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><b>After (1)</b>: second water tank ready for installation</i></span><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p style="margin-left: 40px; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"> </span></span></b><b><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWSzwZCTOIvDUDw6KQQX8U1ysHjal-jbXYh6BJZDc1a964bGt7Z4y7YdYqMbRu1LNd-TuIxzbSFYjANEWb-VvVPO-nMxUXBzrisUfiefhnUNtRoEaQ62ZyBWgY44Tk_3OIYN40Zpa7aFV8QkLDZ0enxYzwq1K76FGBGY-gosyxUbUfCw3ET0eRGXhAZA/s1032/New%20water%20tank,%20installed.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"></span></span></b></a><b><span style="font-size: large;"></span></b></span></span></b></p><p style="margin-left: 40px; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"></span></span></b></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWSzwZCTOIvDUDw6KQQX8U1ysHjal-jbXYh6BJZDc1a964bGt7Z4y7YdYqMbRu1LNd-TuIxzbSFYjANEWb-VvVPO-nMxUXBzrisUfiefhnUNtRoEaQ62ZyBWgY44Tk_3OIYN40Zpa7aFV8QkLDZ0enxYzwq1K76FGBGY-gosyxUbUfCw3ET0eRGXhAZA/s1032/New%20water%20tank,%20installed.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="774" data-original-width="1032" height="303" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWSzwZCTOIvDUDw6KQQX8U1ysHjal-jbXYh6BJZDc1a964bGt7Z4y7YdYqMbRu1LNd-TuIxzbSFYjANEWb-VvVPO-nMxUXBzrisUfiefhnUNtRoEaQ62ZyBWgY44Tk_3OIYN40Zpa7aFV8QkLDZ0enxYzwq1K76FGBGY-gosyxUbUfCw3ET0eRGXhAZA/w404-h303/New%20water%20tank,%20installed.JPG" width="404" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><b>After (2)</b>: second water tank in place<br /></i></span></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Doubling the water capacity of the water supply enables much more hygenic practice and cleanliness around the school.</span></div><p style="margin-left: 40px; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"></span></span></b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Standpipes</span></span></b></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSyuMdghjcIe3K8ilr52WVMDsSOgr2aHvX3k8rGZX2CMp84OrBe3sz9r3_DShsi705O0dWaNH0zFjNrIiD9We1A_Y6ko4moD64Q9CUVlaBB2Ii-eMcK4rVYi3Sd1WGBB3g2KNleV2RQaSLsVZOHZviO47nx8-kiVf68HU0WkFW7w4h5KOG6xORRD6Igw/s1032/New%20standpipe%20(3).JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="774" data-original-width="1032" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSyuMdghjcIe3K8ilr52WVMDsSOgr2aHvX3k8rGZX2CMp84OrBe3sz9r3_DShsi705O0dWaNH0zFjNrIiD9We1A_Y6ko4moD64Q9CUVlaBB2Ii-eMcK4rVYi3Sd1WGBB3g2KNleV2RQaSLsVZOHZviO47nx8-kiVf68HU0WkFW7w4h5KOG6xORRD6Igw/w397-h298/New%20standpipe%20(3).JPG" width="397" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i><b>Before:</b> There was only one water standpipe for 2,000 children to wash their hands (including after toilet and before food) in the entire school.</i></span><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"></span></span></b><b><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"></span></span></b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"></span></span></b></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWPvd3CgrsBIUZALzQ36AvGjE0_kD8nMM1MoQSM_shVcozkh-T38V38ofjkhUYGJQRtsA4wt7a5AvIJUbOdA7R2y_FDYUhhnDlculMsYV-XeEuvC6Qi26anJ2x5lWwZHXpsNT0kWQ9VxeVwLB3MQVxl61ZBPX6Q8cuEMEIF9F_Oo1oMBmD4PUxpQk4Uw/s1032/New%20standpipe%20(1).JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="774" data-original-width="1032" height="301" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWPvd3CgrsBIUZALzQ36AvGjE0_kD8nMM1MoQSM_shVcozkh-T38V38ofjkhUYGJQRtsA4wt7a5AvIJUbOdA7R2y_FDYUhhnDlculMsYV-XeEuvC6Qi26anJ2x5lWwZHXpsNT0kWQ9VxeVwLB3MQVxl61ZBPX6Q8cuEMEIF9F_Oo1oMBmD4PUxpQk4Uw/w401-h301/New%20standpipe%20(1).JPG" width="401" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><b>After (1)</b>: one of the ten new standpipes installed in the school<br /></i></td></tr></tbody></table><b><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUxk0fPUSVSwIEM-1n-OwXJsOQKVsahe0RW4ZU9JRRoiZcdtVFbMbhfAZmBYsMuVmx_tUYblCuL-_y0-ymhRopXQdc3WiUGPhykJy457rVddm6otorEZdP-oWcGgDTNewU5DRa2-rmc7eIpgHm0rvnlJ3SjpRS4aTsGdlk0XwTYE7XzfmDvBA5JDcmvQ/s1032/New%20standpipe%20(2).JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="774" data-original-width="1032" height="318" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUxk0fPUSVSwIEM-1n-OwXJsOQKVsahe0RW4ZU9JRRoiZcdtVFbMbhfAZmBYsMuVmx_tUYblCuL-_y0-ymhRopXQdc3WiUGPhykJy457rVddm6otorEZdP-oWcGgDTNewU5DRa2-rmc7eIpgHm0rvnlJ3SjpRS4aTsGdlk0XwTYE7XzfmDvBA5JDcmvQ/w424-h318/New%20standpipe%20(2).JPG" width="424" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><b>After (2)</b>: another of the ten new standpipes installed in the school<br /></i></td></tr></tbody></table></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4SmoDiG5oWlsd8Y2XzIiVM_GkJbADz0Cqv638YuvOUpFzKl4kS2476ebGJRnplWjiCMFIsp-KtDGLQ_OuNzqDMiTpA829wwy0mXI7GbVvLGMLpgNkXN-rhQCrOHHfOqsKP-pe6zrb1yQ2ONigHcKsqST5nArpmRSJ_t__fwUR3yM54_JBH8z_rOsNTQ/s992/New%20standpipe%20(4)%20Alpha%20Omar,%20President%20of%20Brusubi%20Rotary%20club,%20with%20pupils%20using%20one%20of%20the%20new%20standpipes.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="744" data-original-width="992" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4SmoDiG5oWlsd8Y2XzIiVM_GkJbADz0Cqv638YuvOUpFzKl4kS2476ebGJRnplWjiCMFIsp-KtDGLQ_OuNzqDMiTpA829wwy0mXI7GbVvLGMLpgNkXN-rhQCrOHHfOqsKP-pe6zrb1yQ2ONigHcKsqST5nArpmRSJ_t__fwUR3yM54_JBH8z_rOsNTQ/w397-h298/New%20standpipe%20(4)%20Alpha%20Omar,%20President%20of%20Brusubi%20Rotary%20club,%20with%20pupils%20using%20one%20of%20the%20new%20standpipes.JPG" width="397" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><b>After (3)</b>: yet another of the ten new standpipes<br /></i></td></tr></tbody></table></td></tr></tbody></table><br />Toilets</span></span></b><p></p><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana;">Before (1 and 2): </span></b><span style="font-family: verdana;">Old toilets, before the project </span></span></i><b><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"></span></span></b></div><p style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"></span></span></b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ6LeuR2d6ji50BVecNFan4Jm3DvEoN8h3Qm-UjqJIZa1Z8iwEzPe14-R6ovlgt4qOn6OTx3bAGj5HVWrVofuPbCi6VW64MLYdZYJP9ty6hPTdWu5_0tdW1myw3IQXgqtIHLXTKo9S6KtOcLxBmD1XkPGZKQnCxeaSy_xcjvmFb0hPe6FM2cg_YfhXAQ/s1080/toilets%209.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="809" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ6LeuR2d6ji50BVecNFan4Jm3DvEoN8h3Qm-UjqJIZa1Z8iwEzPe14-R6ovlgt4qOn6OTx3bAGj5HVWrVofuPbCi6VW64MLYdZYJP9ty6hPTdWu5_0tdW1myw3IQXgqtIHLXTKo9S6KtOcLxBmD1XkPGZKQnCxeaSy_xcjvmFb0hPe6FM2cg_YfhXAQ/s320/toilets%209.JPG" width="240" /></a></span></span></b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ6LeuR2d6ji50BVecNFan4Jm3DvEoN8h3Qm-UjqJIZa1Z8iwEzPe14-R6ovlgt4qOn6OTx3bAGj5HVWrVofuPbCi6VW64MLYdZYJP9ty6hPTdWu5_0tdW1myw3IQXgqtIHLXTKo9S6KtOcLxBmD1XkPGZKQnCxeaSy_xcjvmFb0hPe6FM2cg_YfhXAQ/s1080/toilets%209.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"></span></span></b></a><b><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUhvnTqPkobUNHWwqp3lvu-Ydj7dPbpAWEVRuxMkKhYC9BRgcbEjTXL3SJZFVjNRu36oTOBDHaW9F779-IKo54MudC1gsJ7jUbngU4ET_ftlNYl8CQNScWXc8aPmCcsqVHsjakPTu3UX1msVLCDSU8Chf87Ca0Qjo9yVZEksfp3Dn4BoO8SpOdoIugoA/s1080/Old%20toilet%20block%20-%20no%20water.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="809" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUhvnTqPkobUNHWwqp3lvu-Ydj7dPbpAWEVRuxMkKhYC9BRgcbEjTXL3SJZFVjNRu36oTOBDHaW9F779-IKo54MudC1gsJ7jUbngU4ET_ftlNYl8CQNScWXc8aPmCcsqVHsjakPTu3UX1msVLCDSU8Chf87Ca0Qjo9yVZEksfp3Dn4BoO8SpOdoIugoA/s320/Old%20toilet%20block%20-%20no%20water.JPG" width="240" /></a></span></b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"></span></span></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuvz82poVJNb9KRSRzR0UyyPcMGCtF1-kmJxuFDW9dp0aXSkw-3SN0tOVDTJve5a2mTA0yt60ELT3aJ0iXcyO7xINGa3asJDczpDhkEWWvJSzwfvwjXocaadMs6LRQYPUv-Bg9U900HaIONiCsNtdrQIxq5dCjJhJ7Xc0Yt78gjhJn1OtvC_1UvvAb4g/s1080/New%20toilets%20under%20construction.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="810" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuvz82poVJNb9KRSRzR0UyyPcMGCtF1-kmJxuFDW9dp0aXSkw-3SN0tOVDTJve5a2mTA0yt60ELT3aJ0iXcyO7xINGa3asJDczpDhkEWWvJSzwfvwjXocaadMs6LRQYPUv-Bg9U900HaIONiCsNtdrQIxq5dCjJhJ7Xc0Yt78gjhJn1OtvC_1UvvAb4g/s320/New%20toilets%20under%20construction.JPG" width="240" /></a></span></b></div><b><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYiktfRAuqdR1cupRSnKo82HgvcutBOhIDlAxpRYNxuuJN_5TkLWsajxTpzTHkGSoiN52Qel3awdf7h-fRnqM_ehYxfgPRVZuESzO7246APNxeJL9h8mRUivO5dLexhWbhvmJXDRqIefwWpJQGWDuuR1ctbViiO-zJ0FX0OVweD_c8F-1vjUwPbhl1GA/s1600/Toilets%208%20May%202021%20(1).jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYiktfRAuqdR1cupRSnKo82HgvcutBOhIDlAxpRYNxuuJN_5TkLWsajxTpzTHkGSoiN52Qel3awdf7h-fRnqM_ehYxfgPRVZuESzO7246APNxeJL9h8mRUivO5dLexhWbhvmJXDRqIefwWpJQGWDuuR1ctbViiO-zJ0FX0OVweD_c8F-1vjUwPbhl1GA/s320/Toilets%208%20May%202021%20(1).jpg" width="240" /></a></span></span></b><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /><b><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /><br /><br /></span></span></b></p><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana;"><i>Under construction: </i></span></b><span style="font-family: verdana;"><i>The new toilets</i></span></span></div><div><b><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"></span></span></b></div><p style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /><br /></span></span></b><b><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2h_3iXgi6boCZjENUfx6A2wKA8DXAqF6XnQyYzs_BsLkX6ROPL3XFhuB6dwzTqxYTQ5BZ_oN4AsNYMW1DJhRN5fTXNwtYHi9t9OTdY4Sjm752Rbg-jrv89kwj4e89O1Mi4EQr6HVUXTAKpml3Rl73Rn-S8y8Z8e3fbxYn-xZNuBSzKdSTKC2InzjStw/s1032/New%20toilets%20%20with%20water%20supply%20for%20first%20time%20(1).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="774" data-original-width="1032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2h_3iXgi6boCZjENUfx6A2wKA8DXAqF6XnQyYzs_BsLkX6ROPL3XFhuB6dwzTqxYTQ5BZ_oN4AsNYMW1DJhRN5fTXNwtYHi9t9OTdY4Sjm752Rbg-jrv89kwj4e89O1Mi4EQr6HVUXTAKpml3Rl73Rn-S8y8Z8e3fbxYn-xZNuBSzKdSTKC2InzjStw/w400-h300/New%20toilets%20%20with%20water%20supply%20for%20first%20time%20(1).JPG" width="400" /></a></span></span></b><b><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"> <br /></span></span></b></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaKG1sVl6ks8aaTuG3zzznj2CLui0XPFT6ahlIyEE9hfXDjAKWB4M9YLNecXQAYj9CBU2QdwMakX49WB6rmPJqY6nPkJ0YrSCSmAsScBAmo-XhkZyQaYCbZ9O3xMUf3q24s2b4qhOXQ5SqbHuvvD9hiNLFmwRCQn9wvI9JMS-wfg-H3tSeCB9fpp1FSQ/s1032/New%20toilets%20%20with%20water%20supply%20for%20first%20time%20(2).JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="774" data-original-width="1032" height="312" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaKG1sVl6ks8aaTuG3zzznj2CLui0XPFT6ahlIyEE9hfXDjAKWB4M9YLNecXQAYj9CBU2QdwMakX49WB6rmPJqY6nPkJ0YrSCSmAsScBAmo-XhkZyQaYCbZ9O3xMUf3q24s2b4qhOXQ5SqbHuvvD9hiNLFmwRCQn9wvI9JMS-wfg-H3tSeCB9fpp1FSQ/w416-h312/New%20toilets%20%20with%20water%20supply%20for%20first%20time%20(2).JPG" width="416" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i><b>After (1 and 2): </b>running water in new hygenic toilets, for the first time</i><br /></span></td></tr></tbody></table><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana;"></span></b><b><span style="font-family: verdana;"> </span></b></span><b><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Library</span></span></b></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB_Lb4gCnz56hs3NDbh8wDwq7Ig-a06va8MWtDayCL90lns6g6SJvVauzvUKQDv9ozUjV4LqL6BJfZPwTSjwRaaWcWR_ufvDaRUOWe0eoufdzLj7emnCjjnnkEBXBc1kJUgWcn4A8BhlQmvYK-qb3jK3LjJnE2punRy-b5M57tep7MIwdJXBnPYe4fyA/s1080/Old%20damaged%20and%20unusable%20library%20(2).JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="809" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB_Lb4gCnz56hs3NDbh8wDwq7Ig-a06va8MWtDayCL90lns6g6SJvVauzvUKQDv9ozUjV4LqL6BJfZPwTSjwRaaWcWR_ufvDaRUOWe0eoufdzLj7emnCjjnnkEBXBc1kJUgWcn4A8BhlQmvYK-qb3jK3LjJnE2punRy-b5M57tep7MIwdJXBnPYe4fyA/w321-h428/Old%20damaged%20and%20unusable%20library%20(2).JPG" width="321" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i><b>Before (above and below):</b> Old library suffering from termite damage and unusable</i></span><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"> </span></span></b><b><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"></span></span></b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB_Lb4gCnz56hs3NDbh8wDwq7Ig-a06va8MWtDayCL90lns6g6SJvVauzvUKQDv9ozUjV4LqL6BJfZPwTSjwRaaWcWR_ufvDaRUOWe0eoufdzLj7emnCjjnnkEBXBc1kJUgWcn4A8BhlQmvYK-qb3jK3LjJnE2punRy-b5M57tep7MIwdJXBnPYe4fyA/s1080/Old%20damaged%20and%20unusable%20library%20(2).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"></span></span></b></a><b><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPxpu6J7nsqDDQmPhlSjZOPPScKWqawtZBmYAlqltyQq7HOIVdq_y7_ZgWW5C5GnPQFayVwIs1sKrDkWle2x9VCNsR60NzTYhJtZf821wvMOZfa_Wp9Flsj9hfLaTgSgvc1kHbZmh0ieWFVOZ15awiNpe3_ThdYWxEcgK-t5mNJMjI3HgibzaFPCRYhw/s640/Old%20damaged%20and%20unusable%20library.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPxpu6J7nsqDDQmPhlSjZOPPScKWqawtZBmYAlqltyQq7HOIVdq_y7_ZgWW5C5GnPQFayVwIs1sKrDkWle2x9VCNsR60NzTYhJtZf821wvMOZfa_Wp9Flsj9hfLaTgSgvc1kHbZmh0ieWFVOZ15awiNpe3_ThdYWxEcgK-t5mNJMjI3HgibzaFPCRYhw/s320/Old%20damaged%20and%20unusable%20library.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"></span></span></b></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9JRMAso2sYF_xFyzX590AFdMVzcS-gPUfn5UhF2GKNQGjT1qzJjD-2_x3oZAOtWq8H3vEMBNyhwLPUOmouGtZ8NpwQM4Af1JsvsXM1_-HZ2yB99mkMwbt3E7QcoxXtoS-SkDm62UgTiLOvyV1S3R42BI8_Wwgiyzns4Q5ibcHoLTsISR0XqZamKaMAw/s1024/Library%20refurbed,%20waiting%20for%20furniture%20installation%20(2).jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1024" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9JRMAso2sYF_xFyzX590AFdMVzcS-gPUfn5UhF2GKNQGjT1qzJjD-2_x3oZAOtWq8H3vEMBNyhwLPUOmouGtZ8NpwQM4Af1JsvsXM1_-HZ2yB99mkMwbt3E7QcoxXtoS-SkDm62UgTiLOvyV1S3R42BI8_Wwgiyzns4Q5ibcHoLTsISR0XqZamKaMAw/s320/Library%20refurbed,%20waiting%20for%20furniture%20installation%20(2).jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><b>After (above and below):</b> newly reconstructed library, termite free and fit for use. The building is waiting for Brusubi Rotary Club to provide the promised furniture, and then it will be up and running and a fabulous facility for 2,000 pupils</i><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><b><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></span></b><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWSF0SarkSkbSvkak8JQFbQkTQUk6nkEckXjMn9vsSm8F004zjKJl2mKnt9IwAilo2oL8vVxS27VYCXuziXXMplBlVWdJBsy8pNtSIHAAls2z6X5LRlGn0_XmNxsRIAwjrxiRgL2Ym5NBIb__XW3hAJe2aV9Jn3hsR8Y7nrksGsmZMas6GKOWCZHwlMg/s1024/Library%20refurbed,%20waiting%20for%20furniture%20installation%20(3).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1024" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWSF0SarkSkbSvkak8JQFbQkTQUk6nkEckXjMn9vsSm8F004zjKJl2mKnt9IwAilo2oL8vVxS27VYCXuziXXMplBlVWdJBsy8pNtSIHAAls2z6X5LRlGn0_XmNxsRIAwjrxiRgL2Ym5NBIb__XW3hAJe2aV9Jn3hsR8Y7nrksGsmZMas6GKOWCZHwlMg/s320/Library%20refurbed,%20waiting%20for%20furniture%20installation%20(3).jpg" width="320" /></a></span></b></div><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"></span></span></b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Sick room</span></span></b></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEpZ9Io4Cigy4W8zm00FW_W8wYHxRAbuREZCH82HpGC-1O1oCTyrwM3lWiKDQxp4rgq0UDueN1f4vx24CTW4W43xRQsSMrqrXxS_SH3mtbneaa-3x3LIK3ERW3sw8yRlzk3VhafFjA_DAoWk9CxZJyumH41Yf0K3n3OPu0tOKAY9Imk0u8zVfGzf5vHQ/s640/Space%20where%20sick%20room%20constructed.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="307" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEpZ9Io4Cigy4W8zm00FW_W8wYHxRAbuREZCH82HpGC-1O1oCTyrwM3lWiKDQxp4rgq0UDueN1f4vx24CTW4W43xRQsSMrqrXxS_SH3mtbneaa-3x3LIK3ERW3sw8yRlzk3VhafFjA_DAoWk9CxZJyumH41Yf0K3n3OPu0tOKAY9Imk0u8zVfGzf5vHQ/w409-h307/Space%20where%20sick%20room%20constructed.jpg" width="409" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i><b>Before:</b> No sick room in the school; a space identified to construct one</i></span><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"></span></span></b><b><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"></span></span></b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"></span></span></b></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZU0QsJPUEy8-lnA6X1L6jwNVwSawnljJTGcMvWC918xo6VQlxQlz_VbWoJY-fC8vGBFeOCEMM83UWG9Atx_S3dHi_E1sjgTss6c4YpTK6kQbpDp1lRMWwturwVLEf-O5m7IJLm6AvyUf_GbZCsIZ8CsTBUqF54ag1l6938ExMxVX3yxo8XR2cZM0AJA/s1032/New%20sick%20room,%20constructed,%20awaiting%20installation%20of%20furniture%20(2).JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="774" data-original-width="1032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZU0QsJPUEy8-lnA6X1L6jwNVwSawnljJTGcMvWC918xo6VQlxQlz_VbWoJY-fC8vGBFeOCEMM83UWG9Atx_S3dHi_E1sjgTss6c4YpTK6kQbpDp1lRMWwturwVLEf-O5m7IJLm6AvyUf_GbZCsIZ8CsTBUqF54ag1l6938ExMxVX3yxo8XR2cZM0AJA/w399-h300/New%20sick%20room,%20constructed,%20awaiting%20installation%20of%20furniture%20(2).JPG" width="399" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana;"><i><b>After:</b>
</i></span></b><span style="font-family: verdana;"><i>The sick room built.The building is waiting for Brusubi Rotary Club to
provide the promised furniture, so that it can become a first aid and
medical centre for the 2,000 pupils.</i></span></span></td></tr></tbody></table></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Computer room</span></span></b></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUsrzopGi65khFNmRoypghHul7BufFES6kovXS6xBjd62jG7C1PrmURTx5JolOXbzBHB8r4NlYGtgF4aGSiR48Wy3X7TYcMTGSvJNU24JAxkQfliB8TpfSdFyAQHvF_o9i4pOYGRgseyLV_6_p7qzjFwsUn-9X1H8Wbhrgl18LnfuOFETQuT1Q1teKMA/s640/Old%20computer%20room%20-%20pre%20refub%20and%20extension.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="313" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUsrzopGi65khFNmRoypghHul7BufFES6kovXS6xBjd62jG7C1PrmURTx5JolOXbzBHB8r4NlYGtgF4aGSiR48Wy3X7TYcMTGSvJNU24JAxkQfliB8TpfSdFyAQHvF_o9i4pOYGRgseyLV_6_p7qzjFwsUn-9X1H8Wbhrgl18LnfuOFETQuT1Q1teKMA/w417-h313/Old%20computer%20room%20-%20pre%20refub%20and%20extension.jpg" width="417" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i><span><b>Before</b>: too small, unfit for purpose and unable to offer space for all the pupils</span></i></span></td></tr></tbody></table><p style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"></span></span></b></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfmB6o4xKUJAAeHQhtVCfPjgrdZuKoitJ43-aVdkPevPgv9yT_eZyFbuc7GrxjR6AYRm8tSHwLq7YRI6Q0i9FN-gShj8pP8twnOtQFkcybencNWsP_glyie7L7tBtQcFQdKYonktYn5R86vCYtZMEae1J1iGRjUJrccelC_rCSWqXp36vxl527HCamqg/s1032/Extended%20computer%20lab%201.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="774" data-original-width="1032" height="299" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfmB6o4xKUJAAeHQhtVCfPjgrdZuKoitJ43-aVdkPevPgv9yT_eZyFbuc7GrxjR6AYRm8tSHwLq7YRI6Q0i9FN-gShj8pP8twnOtQFkcybencNWsP_glyie7L7tBtQcFQdKYonktYn5R86vCYtZMEae1J1iGRjUJrccelC_rCSWqXp36vxl527HCamqg/w398-h299/Extended%20computer%20lab%201.JPG" width="398" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>After (above and below)</b>: greatly expanded facility, with air-con, in which all pupils can receive ICT lessons</span><br /></i></td></tr></tbody></table><b><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"></span></span></b><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg30YfvfZhRLINob-83wts9TSmGr3b35rdnJIi4DR3omjeWc7RO3OjG-Y0m91WYXRKwxqerr3OXtSUEGxWHY651DlJL_ig6P9sA5yvJJBTPlS4y1iPZy9QJSUVpWtBySRHh4m46Ep20EFmQFijt-LfS2Y1REYN6BByPnBGgP2RgyXRxit4j7VpkJq8uyg/s1032/Extended%20computer%20lab%202.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="774" data-original-width="1032" height="297" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg30YfvfZhRLINob-83wts9TSmGr3b35rdnJIi4DR3omjeWc7RO3OjG-Y0m91WYXRKwxqerr3OXtSUEGxWHY651DlJL_ig6P9sA5yvJJBTPlS4y1iPZy9QJSUVpWtBySRHh4m46Ep20EFmQFijt-LfS2Y1REYN6BByPnBGgP2RgyXRxit4j7VpkJq8uyg/w396-h297/Extended%20computer%20lab%202.JPG" width="396" /></a></span></b></div><p></p><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Vendors stalls</span></span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVP-ZzB0vUj_NwQ2OwiTJRvk5rro1QxtqDfx19ijRzy4ugS9dsvuhP9pZmAE1w4RWOwLNi1VAUc0TrQ9mrNT1NBwuviQ7k9AvJe-FnLPARbwmlqyDyQGOMAulUBUMZWxMhoqCgIl5moKHL8NUpfifyiXYngnT-2HY8AG4We__t7Y5On0thHvwAgInGbg/s1080/market%207.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="809" data-original-width="1080" height="324" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVP-ZzB0vUj_NwQ2OwiTJRvk5rro1QxtqDfx19ijRzy4ugS9dsvuhP9pZmAE1w4RWOwLNi1VAUc0TrQ9mrNT1NBwuviQ7k9AvJe-FnLPARbwmlqyDyQGOMAulUBUMZWxMhoqCgIl5moKHL8NUpfifyiXYngnT-2HY8AG4We__t7Y5On0thHvwAgInGbg/w432-h324/market%207.JPG" width="432" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><b>Before:</b> The hot, unhygenic place where local women sold school lunches to the 2,000 pupils at the school</i><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGEvBBWYBR6J4rZF3wEXx--XL-SXhr0FD631ggsAxq9nCoWWI8QpmvLyVuuzUb-AUVP0vV6QT75kS-0_gPqZF3S-eLyoFTQ3GXmwlxgG2eoB8vVw5l_JIgEoMKZ8bnYnkASU2tdczVvEcb1-cRGn7vUYUa6676Y5ZaMCKe1uLh-uHEeWjVbrN1Ng1ubQ/s1024/New%20vendors%20block%20(1).jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1024" height="314" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGEvBBWYBR6J4rZF3wEXx--XL-SXhr0FD631ggsAxq9nCoWWI8QpmvLyVuuzUb-AUVP0vV6QT75kS-0_gPqZF3S-eLyoFTQ3GXmwlxgG2eoB8vVw5l_JIgEoMKZ8bnYnkASU2tdczVvEcb1-cRGn7vUYUa6676Y5ZaMCKe1uLh-uHEeWjVbrN1Ng1ubQ/w419-h314/New%20vendors%20block%20(1).jpg" width="419" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><b>After (1 and2)- above and below</b>: the new clean, hygenic building created for local traders to sell lunches to the school's children<br /></i></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRyapIWgmyigQjEAgA1eJ8TM1sYCiUGaqkrzO-W7zd6Z42AtAAbY2H5ybXQnPbWKpDZcsxHy9tlxAyE3JrJOIGOmefLhRvTA3tGkltU8k4CWbDZ7rIrb_NJEvpK09FHYuNwbJv_FYNNPsIqovSnAfQ3tF5MkQjvmuY91IWdRujS-5fBX8ukPaGI0oyEA/s1024/New%20vendors%20block%20(2).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1024" height="316" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRyapIWgmyigQjEAgA1eJ8TM1sYCiUGaqkrzO-W7zd6Z42AtAAbY2H5ybXQnPbWKpDZcsxHy9tlxAyE3JrJOIGOmefLhRvTA3tGkltU8k4CWbDZ7rIrb_NJEvpK09FHYuNwbJv_FYNNPsIqovSnAfQ3tF5MkQjvmuY91IWdRujS-5fBX8ukPaGI0oyEA/w422-h316/New%20vendors%20block%20(2).jpg" width="422" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9c8Z6wZIX-tOIneEjxoTpSUj7FlMUsxcX3_Krk1O1UZnoprMKo8s0og7VEBIU7xvk-P6YgaLrm5KuFWv8_dmCEJrPX-6dFUAssH7hkDSIOtY0ZDrVj7Na4UgegiLEPlsPATwMsZHejQKeUS_N_CENvl_hc36yGpDe5rj0J6VFxvIphgdDXU01iRTcLQ/s1032/New%20vendors%20block%20-%20food%20sellers%20setting%20out%20stalls.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="774" data-original-width="1032" height="317" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9c8Z6wZIX-tOIneEjxoTpSUj7FlMUsxcX3_Krk1O1UZnoprMKo8s0og7VEBIU7xvk-P6YgaLrm5KuFWv8_dmCEJrPX-6dFUAssH7hkDSIOtY0ZDrVj7Na4UgegiLEPlsPATwMsZHejQKeUS_N_CENvl_hc36yGpDe5rj0J6VFxvIphgdDXU01iRTcLQ/w422-h317/New%20vendors%20block%20-%20food%20sellers%20setting%20out%20stalls.JPG" width="422" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana;"><i><b>After (3 and4)- above and below</b>: </i></span></b><span style="font-family: verdana;"><i>traders setting up, and children using the new school meals facility<br /></i></span></span></td></tr></tbody></table></span></span></b><b><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5ow3Xgv7qG2YFKisPc9gE1w4oXEXzYrq7UP0txArQ7n16AWVC-YGH1WnzfgrjvtLGUueZ1g53QCynabyoiEdOPlb2PU6PAUrVBTFtR_rwV1Npq-v3_Yw907Qcofmfh3L-diF0hX68ob68m0FWZdN8k6H7upma8S4kHFyY3d2VOk3YyqA3CI9ijqbCZg/s1032/New%20vendors%20block%20in%20use.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="774" data-original-width="1032" height="321" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5ow3Xgv7qG2YFKisPc9gE1w4oXEXzYrq7UP0txArQ7n16AWVC-YGH1WnzfgrjvtLGUueZ1g53QCynabyoiEdOPlb2PU6PAUrVBTFtR_rwV1Npq-v3_Yw907Qcofmfh3L-diF0hX68ob68m0FWZdN8k6H7upma8S4kHFyY3d2VOk3YyqA3CI9ijqbCZg/w428-h321/New%20vendors%20block%20in%20use.JPG" width="428" /></a></div><br /> Signed, sealed, but not fully delivered - yet</span></span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"> </span></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">A year ago </span><span style="font-family: verdana;">Redbridge Rotary (with significant SSS backing) and Rotary International</span><span style="font-family: verdana;"> provided the money for the completion of the Sukuta project. Under the terms of the agreement, Brusubi Rotary club were entrusted to supervise its delivery. Contractor, Future In Our Hands, went beyond expectations in executing the contract to price, despite building supply price inflation.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"> </span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">The completion of the project was hailed on Gambian TV and Brusubi Rotary club, via current president, Alpha Jallow, was happy to take credit for the delivery of this carefully constructed and delicately financed project.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">It has been a great success, and SSS supporters and Rotarians, world-wide are to be thanked and praised for their generosity in ensuring that.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">All that is needed now is for Brusubi Rotary club to put its money where its mouth is </span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">(to the tune of less than $1,000 US) </span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">and deliver on the promises it made to Gambian TV and furnish the library and sick room. That simple, low cost, pain-free gesture will ensure that 2,000 young Gambians will benefit from everyone else's efforts. </span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"> </span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">It will also illustrate that Rotary values are extended to and be displayed by Gambian Rotarians too. Service before self-service. Charity before vanity.<br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"> </span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwtnVwk8_v0AS2OoWplG0ZX2MD3dEh0sGlfyUtsJt4GFEIcH3IzkrqLgdXU9AkTGwJdAnGQJz5Cm7Jdl2asCAGumPh4Ov8o5zlz2zeoz47Fuea0pVtmLxAAGqIrRXM3pBbdyz5oicQoOr_kmAO-iku5nbNDmkibvkOrdjbuSfSF--QAUZzePL7zq1rAw/s1032/Handing%20over%20ceremony%20Alpha%20Jallow%20(left%20-%20Brusubi%20Rotary%20Club),%20Jainaba%20Sarr%20(centere%20-%20Future%20in%20Our%20hands,%20with%20school%20leaders%20and%20governors.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="774" data-original-width="1032" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwtnVwk8_v0AS2OoWplG0ZX2MD3dEh0sGlfyUtsJt4GFEIcH3IzkrqLgdXU9AkTGwJdAnGQJz5Cm7Jdl2asCAGumPh4Ov8o5zlz2zeoz47Fuea0pVtmLxAAGqIrRXM3pBbdyz5oicQoOr_kmAO-iku5nbNDmkibvkOrdjbuSfSF--QAUZzePL7zq1rAw/w426-h320/Handing%20over%20ceremony%20Alpha%20Jallow%20(left%20-%20Brusubi%20Rotary%20Club),%20Jainaba%20Sarr%20(centere%20-%20Future%20in%20Our%20hands,%20with%20school%20leaders%20and%20governors.JPG" width="426" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>The four photos, above and below, are of Brusubi Rotary President, Alpha Jallow taking credit for the delivery of the project. Now let the club deliver on its promises.<br /></i></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikKItr5GX2PWw4WAYvFe-Z6pjNsbdppgoHqI_Pa0KiSX154l0AFEouemt3HdBqz4f8GWnFuMuHZEdvpW9z3_DywZyykjhbCbbpmP-KxgHfp9quhZX6wLM8VZtBhEBqcw7aqDTCYBzTykgaxV1wqyriPo_HdTj5ZQZDL0y3Ey-cUSImbaeomYJ8y-iqWA/s640/TV%201.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="333" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikKItr5GX2PWw4WAYvFe-Z6pjNsbdppgoHqI_Pa0KiSX154l0AFEouemt3HdBqz4f8GWnFuMuHZEdvpW9z3_DywZyykjhbCbbpmP-KxgHfp9quhZX6wLM8VZtBhEBqcw7aqDTCYBzTykgaxV1wqyriPo_HdTj5ZQZDL0y3Ey-cUSImbaeomYJ8y-iqWA/w444-h333/TV%201.jpg" width="444" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-fWDhPeGDgcgGCLnsuQRtzInVRcN2rDSAzzYg8o_0E5xDYINw3J4LsDfkW_lyHbHFHXkjVk9PxMCsEYzL-M1pCTYHyQCaVsXA0L5V0jfW9c1SY7ssB_1pmBQZU34jHXhRdVB7z1jx5X5_eYCjEAjyZxjjRFECAWYscSWRgEcffu667Ahl4mGoKrIxIA/s640/TV%207.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="319" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-fWDhPeGDgcgGCLnsuQRtzInVRcN2rDSAzzYg8o_0E5xDYINw3J4LsDfkW_lyHbHFHXkjVk9PxMCsEYzL-M1pCTYHyQCaVsXA0L5V0jfW9c1SY7ssB_1pmBQZU34jHXhRdVB7z1jx5X5_eYCjEAjyZxjjRFECAWYscSWRgEcffu667Ahl4mGoKrIxIA/w425-h319/TV%207.jpg" width="425" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2EK8a7_wl9xRkYaU9th7icWmTahNnbFXjco_QK5IofCJn4C2jY5MW57TYX0Nf0GgruhUMlLM_w2kIOakPlhmMY5CjaM3ebKav6NNvJc2Zy1IiJguLMy09iY1BnfNQ7__ClXdnT_3KmTvtU6rEG7jE_nYNrvDruthA8pH90rf12uJsRL5PlUiofhoNzg/s640/TV%2011.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="323" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2EK8a7_wl9xRkYaU9th7icWmTahNnbFXjco_QK5IofCJn4C2jY5MW57TYX0Nf0GgruhUMlLM_w2kIOakPlhmMY5CjaM3ebKav6NNvJc2Zy1IiJguLMy09iY1BnfNQ7__ClXdnT_3KmTvtU6rEG7jE_nYNrvDruthA8pH90rf12uJsRL5PlUiofhoNzg/w430-h323/TV%2011.jpg" width="430" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></span></b></div><p> </p>John Walkerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07186291200017823878noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6148102787354552919.post-9688801017953836782022-11-23T10:14:00.000+00:002022-11-23T10:14:45.759+00:00Signing off the Sukuta project (1)<p><span style="font-family: verdana;">This is the first of two articles celebrating the successful conclusion of our Sukuta Project.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Three years ago we started what proved to be a mamoth undertaking, to refurb the Gambia's largest primary (Lower Basic) school - the Sukuta LBS.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">We raised a little over £40,000 for the project, a third from Sohm Schools Support's funds and two thirds from Rotary, via a combination of grants from local clubs in London (mainly Redbridge), a generous London-wide Distrct Grant and a top up payment from Rotary International in Chicago.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">COVID proved to be a major distraction and obstacle, but in March this year we signed a contract with a Gambian Rotary club (Brusubi) and contractors Future in Our Hands (FIOH) to deliver the multi-faceted undertaking. We have covered details of the proposals in a few previous posts.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">FIOH delivered the project on time and to spec in October and they and the Brusubi club were the subject of a Gambian TV feature celebrating the handing over event. Below are stills from that TV report, which focused heavily on Rotary and the good and the great, who were at the sign off of the project.</span></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxFf8i_mXfEP_zWR7yQzBGziGlD01KaE79hHQ00yOijvJo1Lj4wpvpjft_RXgfY_hiv0ebzdBKwK01MI1RIpU-Nq828fZAtGCnkZ1SHrCrowQHc48cd_ddOhZDhe2uNRLBfL6-JNRthyavKAUmYX6uV0H-1NrjELpOMS1inBHy1XSGpNDV5i8pbPSoUQ/s640/TV%2011.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="333" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxFf8i_mXfEP_zWR7yQzBGziGlD01KaE79hHQ00yOijvJo1Lj4wpvpjft_RXgfY_hiv0ebzdBKwK01MI1RIpU-Nq828fZAtGCnkZ1SHrCrowQHc48cd_ddOhZDhe2uNRLBfL6-JNRthyavKAUmYX6uV0H-1NrjELpOMS1inBHy1XSGpNDV5i8pbPSoUQ/w444-h333/TV%2011.jpg" width="444" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Ribbon cutting at the ceremony - left to right: Alpha Jallow (Brusubi Rotary club), the head and chair of governors of the school and right, Jainaba Sarr - Director of Future In Our Hands (the contractor).<br /></i></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaVCCrqQ3xeGrZUFLFpjsBksnDkkV-9C-8u9AcYDpnDp13fCQ8cHGYjXFryPsM3rNBN-_LaqEpAlzMIj7mCSSPfmh7PHDKSgPhU93cxIHPivX4_aFowz6vaoNHmsWgIWQLzuwmUK1A1g0blvgwRNztnsxgXtjsGYTMVK1i7k4EH1sw_h7ytFUAO8UKOg/s640/TV%209.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="317" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaVCCrqQ3xeGrZUFLFpjsBksnDkkV-9C-8u9AcYDpnDp13fCQ8cHGYjXFryPsM3rNBN-_LaqEpAlzMIj7mCSSPfmh7PHDKSgPhU93cxIHPivX4_aFowz6vaoNHmsWgIWQLzuwmUK1A1g0blvgwRNztnsxgXtjsGYTMVK1i7k4EH1sw_h7ytFUAO8UKOg/w422-h317/TV%209.jpg" width="422" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>View of the event, from the top table<br /></i></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOgSSmA1wZEhRL1HG18eXkIFTaG4Sci7ZfVqf6uQCyjPoq7YeINZq35mkjzmOORzrjjgxId6sLoEay58yHvXKYkhsG5aJR8amxEm1Z0tsvGGlr1T8F5tDTsvMHkOgTY8DEH_KTXF3Dnr45tpzxpK5beOEnegMo09RPsx8ieCobk9I0tUrZe_lvlC9EkA/s640/TV%208.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="316" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOgSSmA1wZEhRL1HG18eXkIFTaG4Sci7ZfVqf6uQCyjPoq7YeINZq35mkjzmOORzrjjgxId6sLoEay58yHvXKYkhsG5aJR8amxEm1Z0tsvGGlr1T8F5tDTsvMHkOgTY8DEH_KTXF3Dnr45tpzxpK5beOEnegMo09RPsx8ieCobk9I0tUrZe_lvlC9EkA/w421-h316/TV%208.jpg" width="421" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Children welcoming the new facilities</i><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVgZ2n6fbdsicyoa_WBvOoTTeEjK_GvzlnZRjgZhAIdLNLWFAgEHpMA452sPW87D_tO-RsuOJo8LTIueCmUg6qzD4ncUwIKz7fSWz_mLMbbuCBLiXDRIkqV4Wd56Dyfl7GSW_069-5IoectGh706msEGcnNCTlF2mfpufwVaBXCYhj_lhQa8VilStdsA/s640/TV%207.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="311" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVgZ2n6fbdsicyoa_WBvOoTTeEjK_GvzlnZRjgZhAIdLNLWFAgEHpMA452sPW87D_tO-RsuOJo8LTIueCmUg6qzD4ncUwIKz7fSWz_mLMbbuCBLiXDRIkqV4Wd56Dyfl7GSW_069-5IoectGh706msEGcnNCTlF2mfpufwVaBXCYhj_lhQa8VilStdsA/w415-h311/TV%207.jpg" width="415" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Alpha Jallow of Brusubi Roatry club, addressing the meeting, calling on the school to make maximum use of the facilities, and to look after them</i><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6N6zXrO_rJXmTt3SySdfmlpm8tUjR30g1MjmEbwSQ-2fzf7dwoVl7-fl8BFDWBYKYOemGYRsj0NoS8uFevk4O-M5MmlTZ7GFD1YupFTfw3oc86IGHTsnPHT_7pKjdw_9JSImTHWbH9fUaZHu5-QDkY7AwYTJrlKyeoLqZf8EferPhbWJtoSO_1xrZ6w/s640/TV%205.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="311" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6N6zXrO_rJXmTt3SySdfmlpm8tUjR30g1MjmEbwSQ-2fzf7dwoVl7-fl8BFDWBYKYOemGYRsj0NoS8uFevk4O-M5MmlTZ7GFD1YupFTfw3oc86IGHTsnPHT_7pKjdw_9JSImTHWbH9fUaZHu5-QDkY7AwYTJrlKyeoLqZf8EferPhbWJtoSO_1xrZ6w/w414-h311/TV%205.jpg" width="414" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i> Attentive audience <br /></i></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i> </i></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i> </i></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i> </i></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i> </i></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i> </i><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAqpgdd_hlbR_pzc4q-77VOoieTE9LtwUvR-gj0AawtlA5yLex4JH43QBzlsBQLaXaHTwyRuOKR-6T7wpKbP47U_sO5u9clqBkcpDGL6zPzrXYyLMetarCSSxAa5omqAuS7VvPZ5n1TM7xcehU75s6qlXctT3wWH0pOdHqrz187_31Qj6erjG-XgoOkg/s640/TV%206.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="311" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAqpgdd_hlbR_pzc4q-77VOoieTE9LtwUvR-gj0AawtlA5yLex4JH43QBzlsBQLaXaHTwyRuOKR-6T7wpKbP47U_sO5u9clqBkcpDGL6zPzrXYyLMetarCSSxAa5omqAuS7VvPZ5n1TM7xcehU75s6qlXctT3wWH0pOdHqrz187_31Qj6erjG-XgoOkg/w414-h311/TV%206.jpg" width="414" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Left, Haruna Bah, head Sukuta LBS, right Jainaba Sarr, CEO of contractor Future In Our Hands<br /></i></td></tr></tbody></table></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSTKutsBG9IaqYsofsM7556Lr-FaMyVt2jUn11ymt-tJ_7XxvdJi1Z52nqG6L7jpak5wf7ICB0roioB3UGRd0FLM1ZpYh-7u7kS3plq_M13U-fG3l1rJruxJn5ScUscUEieW3tRJL1V3YXcaGUaunfwrZrUX4UfrnbDdtstK8NtKwotIA4fGTdycaDQg/s640/TV%204.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="303" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSTKutsBG9IaqYsofsM7556Lr-FaMyVt2jUn11ymt-tJ_7XxvdJi1Z52nqG6L7jpak5wf7ICB0roioB3UGRd0FLM1ZpYh-7u7kS3plq_M13U-fG3l1rJruxJn5ScUscUEieW3tRJL1V3YXcaGUaunfwrZrUX4UfrnbDdtstK8NtKwotIA4fGTdycaDQg/w404-h303/TV%204.jpg" width="404" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Exterior of renovated library </i><br /></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuaMS6LDVHxnDVZqvSltHbSmFobciBI06OnzQsmSp-6QnRVxIZt7K6QroKCE0LDac2cApPewOyITfbmygbRDzYmpbgxnSfvrdBKJrN0-zxSCsCzHhrwXWa3SQvR-BgnqmV_wLmVzIyslhDLDBNWn0V1TA2sSsr3nII6WdmpJyM4SNXdCUKS39xAUw4aw/s640/TV%203.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="308" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuaMS6LDVHxnDVZqvSltHbSmFobciBI06OnzQsmSp-6QnRVxIZt7K6QroKCE0LDac2cApPewOyITfbmygbRDzYmpbgxnSfvrdBKJrN0-zxSCsCzHhrwXWa3SQvR-BgnqmV_wLmVzIyslhDLDBNWn0V1TA2sSsr3nII6WdmpJyM4SNXdCUKS39xAUw4aw/w410-h308/TV%203.jpg" width="410" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Two water tanks - doubling the capacity available to the school</i><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjtBcCGd8B7nOl-NbRwS1d9SpyemCz5Pvgoig1YdRFnZ6gEReRNVRpkwANqPRZxpTZgowyc5skcc7sg1dLXYFXYV0PzRIXAm9abtJQ8_Nxwvi0qhfUwUaqANcHdfPcnAYtPb5IT5JBCXEE9nHPKLGMcpMwIjpxlxuL9B-1lCIdgby7TLozkwHEeXl11w/s640/TV%202.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="294" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjtBcCGd8B7nOl-NbRwS1d9SpyemCz5Pvgoig1YdRFnZ6gEReRNVRpkwANqPRZxpTZgowyc5skcc7sg1dLXYFXYV0PzRIXAm9abtJQ8_Nxwvi0qhfUwUaqANcHdfPcnAYtPb5IT5JBCXEE9nHPKLGMcpMwIjpxlxuL9B-1lCIdgby7TLozkwHEeXl11w/w392-h294/TV%202.jpg" width="392" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>"Modest" shot of interior of new toilets at school - hugely more hygenic than those they replaced<br /></i></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRx-vmiiVm3XeSr5OZ1sJsx1jSzhvgbDuixY-XTD7Ptd6ZToeSEIrShSezqDyknVNIKwOiFB_aCdEXp9VE3lLANRxVLbhYQdgF0X_ZxBD56UXVOj4KVamk2uvak7DuWhMtNvCcawCcVU3A7XftHx1E3feY3AQFCor4eCNGIsnxnPdWrjo6HBStsNrhUg/s640/TV%201.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="288" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRx-vmiiVm3XeSr5OZ1sJsx1jSzhvgbDuixY-XTD7Ptd6ZToeSEIrShSezqDyknVNIKwOiFB_aCdEXp9VE3lLANRxVLbhYQdgF0X_ZxBD56UXVOj4KVamk2uvak7DuWhMtNvCcawCcVU3A7XftHx1E3feY3AQFCor4eCNGIsnxnPdWrjo6HBStsNrhUg/w384-h288/TV%201.jpg" width="384" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Alpha Jallow walking the party through the new "vendors' stalls", for the hygenic distribution of school meals.</i></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">The Sukuta project was signed off, on time, to budget and spec at the end of September. In addition to the facilities outlined in the TV report, the project established a new sick room for the school, greatly extended the size of the school's only computer room and increased the number of standpipes from which pupils can access water, from one to ten.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">All in all, a very considerable success that will benefit the 2,000 children attending the school, now and well into the future.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">The second post, detailing the signing of of the Sukuta project is to follow, and will feature "before" and "after" photos of the various strands of the undertaking. </span><br /></p><p><br /></p>John Walkerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07186291200017823878noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6148102787354552919.post-66315539907595074772022-07-27T10:13:00.000+01:002022-07-27T10:13:05.020+01:00School's out for summer<p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Sohm Lower Basic school has had a good year, having bounced back from COVID, without too many casualties. And we are delighted to say, that although Sohm Schools Support did not deliver any major projects during the year, all of our on-going support elements came in to play, to the great benefit of the children and wider community of the village, as this post, summing up the year, demonstrates.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">With our friends from the <i>Jersey Gambia Schools Trust</i> (JGST), we were able to continue to updgrade and refurb one of the teaching blocks, as the photo of the restored classroom, below, indicates. And, along with that, we have paid for the restoration of large quantities of broken and damaged school furniture - all of which is now in full commission. <br /></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="362" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnk2Hmu5kEOwZ73dTgg2CNplm7SvVxmcXzdPtBG7nGg6xAwpoPMfZ1zc4cfn0WFqfJr0d0iAbV-YkQvN9Tstq5JqJg67MC39d1XUT-QyzW-cu2WOclTwDQqINslpIqxPC0gh47zS1TMOG-tVtBOqvVxq-nBmr3Sfb3sqay9FJ-2s7z-LMBNLcu6v1_Gw/w479-h362/Sohm%20LBS%20children%20with%20refurbed%20furniture%20in%20refurbed%20block%203.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="A refurbed and recdecorated classroom in one of the two main classroom blocks - part funded by SSS" width="479" /></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>A refurbed and re-decorated classroom, in one of the two main teaching blocks, part funded by SSS</i></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i> <br /></i></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnk2Hmu5kEOwZ73dTgg2CNplm7SvVxmcXzdPtBG7nGg6xAwpoPMfZ1zc4cfn0WFqfJr0d0iAbV-YkQvN9Tstq5JqJg67MC39d1XUT-QyzW-cu2WOclTwDQqINslpIqxPC0gh47zS1TMOG-tVtBOqvVxq-nBmr3Sfb3sqay9FJ-2s7z-LMBNLcu6v1_Gw/s640/Sohm%20LBS%20children%20with%20refurbed%20furniture%20in%20refurbed%20block%203.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz4dwuOihbau-4qBPnJEkwAKOP7HfshWeJ4fwGDaR4ezzp8X4P1EkZe-enVdPTzEqM9WkupDVZCqRY_uMDrwmQx2EXVJLLADQ_3EJ8ufFM4iKP1oaz7Bc8o7fQo6e3kN6Y9tVph2A7kOAPBtb4hk-2TuJka_MWL6bDE0BzgeBssH2UXeRIRMUG-JDLyQ/s640/Sohm%20LBS%20children%20with%20refurbed%20furniture%20in%20refurbed%20block%201.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="364" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz4dwuOihbau-4qBPnJEkwAKOP7HfshWeJ4fwGDaR4ezzp8X4P1EkZe-enVdPTzEqM9WkupDVZCqRY_uMDrwmQx2EXVJLLADQ_3EJ8ufFM4iKP1oaz7Bc8o7fQo6e3kN6Y9tVph2A7kOAPBtb4hk-2TuJka_MWL6bDE0BzgeBssH2UXeRIRMUG-JDLyQ/w485-h364/Sohm%20LBS%20children%20with%20refurbed%20furniture%20in%20refurbed%20block%201.jpg" width="485" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Children sitting at some of the restored furniture in a refurbed classroom</i><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">For the first time in many years, the senior grade classes in the school were given a day trip around significant historic and economic points of interest in the country - important for many pupils who have rarely left their remote village before. We were indirectly able to support this trip because we supplied the school with all of its stationery needs during the year, thus freeing up school funds to pay for the trip for the students. <br /></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBReBGgg1xN-Zf1OjOgdimcOrzMtY84E6Mxh-TeHphHZ14HCi0N31FWRDFu5vllWYmSwpxdrtsx4T5DW8Ao-WPufpQgEsfuwGmt_irFk1tuKgOQV8_pQeajq9xvPCThCGmMgRp1O2r96UzrydjFtlriA1RdD8IGgHyNCQmFrE78KqgTZw2vwAcWvNcpg/s1024/School%20trip%20summer%202022%205.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="588" data-original-width="1024" height="260" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBReBGgg1xN-Zf1OjOgdimcOrzMtY84E6Mxh-TeHphHZ14HCi0N31FWRDFu5vllWYmSwpxdrtsx4T5DW8Ao-WPufpQgEsfuwGmt_irFk1tuKgOQV8_pQeajq9xvPCThCGmMgRp1O2r96UzrydjFtlriA1RdD8IGgHyNCQmFrE78KqgTZw2vwAcWvNcpg/w452-h260/School%20trip%20summer%202022%205.JPG" width="452" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Above and below: staff and pupils visting Banjul airport, as part of the SSS-facilitated school visit</i><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRv5raDlpflqyNGPS2r5AeJrEADOUTQNF9PNaN0ZbUP3hRmy0b1BZYV_DEG6QMVkmT6PgY5sHVjwqb5KAQc_8n253BVFTtDGn-XTkeNl1Z0L31BRGcOV_Ly2sO_dKn9E_fruZxRAm12SfwsIg9HSt0GAH5XAEwJkZesBAkGYvY7j9k51T-jaUEbHw4FQ/s1024/School%20trip%20summer%202022%202.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="614" data-original-width="1024" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRv5raDlpflqyNGPS2r5AeJrEADOUTQNF9PNaN0ZbUP3hRmy0b1BZYV_DEG6QMVkmT6PgY5sHVjwqb5KAQc_8n253BVFTtDGn-XTkeNl1Z0L31BRGcOV_Ly2sO_dKn9E_fruZxRAm12SfwsIg9HSt0GAH5XAEwJkZesBAkGYvY7j9k51T-jaUEbHw4FQ/w442-h265/School%20trip%20summer%202022%202.JPG" width="442" /></a></div><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Over the years we have tried to upgrade technology in the school (connecting it to electricty and paying for its supply, provison of TV, internet connection and DVDs for teaching purposes, along with PCs to assist with the admin of the school). This year was no different. We helped provide a good quality laptop for admin putposes and a projector, to link with it, for teaching and other uses in the new school hall we built a couple of years ago.</span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtUz_OE9H35NqPmR39KJNRRAoFd3odvKSt5R-6ses6m1ZJ0Ch_RXZvxie97Sq4dnQ3PSqQLyrch1Oz8kukEOoqv_dQTEW-IiOZ6pFnQngR-eAhoZ-MMAk8eb-nxhDCxsMGefCcNvkQXc38qKonpz8HDSiuNoeKlEt0C0S-kHIrWg0YrDQeso9AvwV1QA/s1080/Laptop%20and%20projector%201.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="911" data-original-width="1080" height="327" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtUz_OE9H35NqPmR39KJNRRAoFd3odvKSt5R-6ses6m1ZJ0Ch_RXZvxie97Sq4dnQ3PSqQLyrch1Oz8kukEOoqv_dQTEW-IiOZ6pFnQngR-eAhoZ-MMAk8eb-nxhDCxsMGefCcNvkQXc38qKonpz8HDSiuNoeKlEt0C0S-kHIrWg0YrDQeso9AvwV1QA/w387-h327/Laptop%20and%20projector%201.JPG" width="387" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>A new laptop for the deputy head and a projector for use in the school hall</i><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">In this, the last week of term, our good friends, the Scottish-based charity, <i>First Aid 4 Gambia</i>, paid their annual visit to the school The magnificent Momodou from that charity provided a day's first aid training to 19 staff and parents and donated a range of first aid supplies to the school, to keep stocks refreshed in the first aid room we were instrumental in establishing and furnishing. So - safer lives for children and some real medical knowledge imparted into a village with no resident medical staff or facilities.</span></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6_H6Y-c2pRl2q3jqSUbnmJNYO8TilOvS-7XhjiVeZ0Gc91hev6bJCANXini0iAwJvtwDyjwofjlle-23peL05z9VH4E-XwS1m87HZgM1Dbd9V-Z57Ed53VxqY4Pt2GQn9uXAEwQjaFKKnGXKcQyCRHWE6HW9tGC7vN6wa2IRTdfSDtX1_wdfNbncuOg/s729/First%20Aid%20%202.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="729" data-original-width="486" height="461" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6_H6Y-c2pRl2q3jqSUbnmJNYO8TilOvS-7XhjiVeZ0Gc91hev6bJCANXini0iAwJvtwDyjwofjlle-23peL05z9VH4E-XwS1m87HZgM1Dbd9V-Z57Ed53VxqY4Pt2GQn9uXAEwQjaFKKnGXKcQyCRHWE6HW9tGC7vN6wa2IRTdfSDtX1_wdfNbncuOg/w307-h461/First%20Aid%20%202.JPG" width="307" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Attendance list at recent First Aid training course, provided by First Aid 4 Gambia</i><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUBbWa0X76UBXq6AhBNheLB39PwMbUNY0h_hv8qIkdDH-f0UDTxbC7BSUL0fe_sB8p_b5XIQhIKFtgVmUaEXJDuppXDxBinAGq8IwQwoIOQsfpd9Y-3n-Px8ENOx5RVOYKMeF-hDlVf4hJlNM_T2cgYjNWUB62u8bRhJfaihy_UWYTUrhS9NNaur4S3A/s737/First%20Aid%20%208.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="415" data-original-width="737" height="261" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUBbWa0X76UBXq6AhBNheLB39PwMbUNY0h_hv8qIkdDH-f0UDTxbC7BSUL0fe_sB8p_b5XIQhIKFtgVmUaEXJDuppXDxBinAGq8IwQwoIOQsfpd9Y-3n-Px8ENOx5RVOYKMeF-hDlVf4hJlNM_T2cgYjNWUB62u8bRhJfaihy_UWYTUrhS9NNaur4S3A/w464-h261/First%20Aid%20%208.JPG" width="464" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Some of the teaching aids used during the training</i><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"> </span></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxF-MbIEWk9IHhumx6DzfNrQH2aj3fmY6HEOcvh1h6OdTMtoXV-gn45ZIPMzqEQTgOimP4MqdHifa9x_Q7UgQNKZ2VB2apSfJcR0OiS15jzl0p1yYdvRdQic9sHvFNndiOELGmEPJthvNTYzHoo6iHYOUh2zoCL4gKt1dOYLkqi7pbFz7NUkjMisYVhQ/s856/First%20Aid%201.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="856" data-original-width="623" height="448" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxF-MbIEWk9IHhumx6DzfNrQH2aj3fmY6HEOcvh1h6OdTMtoXV-gn45ZIPMzqEQTgOimP4MqdHifa9x_Q7UgQNKZ2VB2apSfJcR0OiS15jzl0p1yYdvRdQic9sHvFNndiOELGmEPJthvNTYzHoo6iHYOUh2zoCL4gKt1dOYLkqi7pbFz7NUkjMisYVhQ/w326-h448/First%20Aid%201.JPG" width="326" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Momodou demonstrating some head bandaging</i><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFjaFRNwXocQI3SgOLNtgPLG6ZgYyXKaPwsWPTF9wf5Sx-NeHLZQFE6EcUZVLpdWNYuNB8nAS3nuXIPurfsiLtq2hHHDOiX4-efac4I7pNhIRJoxJLfhxsGhpQ83IbdPSC0iy44-Jyr4_Kd8JI-eB5QKy7QsXIWQI_2tb8deZFCrS_jiSxegfh9Dq0MA/s780/First%20Aid%20%203.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="486" data-original-width="780" height="287" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFjaFRNwXocQI3SgOLNtgPLG6ZgYyXKaPwsWPTF9wf5Sx-NeHLZQFE6EcUZVLpdWNYuNB8nAS3nuXIPurfsiLtq2hHHDOiX4-efac4I7pNhIRJoxJLfhxsGhpQ83IbdPSC0iy44-Jyr4_Kd8JI-eB5QKy7QsXIWQI_2tb8deZFCrS_jiSxegfh9Dq0MA/w462-h287/First%20Aid%20%203.JPG" width="462" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Some of the First Aid trainees, proudly demonstrating their course certificates</i><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKKgt_JAPfY98uPyIYeD7sB-I1Li0uM-zZQ4Dj0qOure1HPqHMdQ8-GZ_lX5BkW3V4DB-yxjX5FxY9o_Pk3djdqmfvVCGkDur_549BVfoRDyV1r4A6c-DgtBsaju_5TVXkJfN3RUWijLIg58nwO-QdjD-QWwVdn_kRHeTGljVe3I4ED0TlQq5Yiwj62g/s668/First%20Aid%20%205.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="392" data-original-width="668" height="263" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKKgt_JAPfY98uPyIYeD7sB-I1Li0uM-zZQ4Dj0qOure1HPqHMdQ8-GZ_lX5BkW3V4DB-yxjX5FxY9o_Pk3djdqmfvVCGkDur_549BVfoRDyV1r4A6c-DgtBsaju_5TVXkJfN3RUWijLIg58nwO-QdjD-QWwVdn_kRHeTGljVe3I4ED0TlQq5Yiwj62g/w448-h263/First%20Aid%20%205.JPG" width="448" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Some of the First Aid materials generously donated to the school by First Aid 4 Gambia</i><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">We are delighted to have been able to support the school by helping at the margins in thse various ways - each of which enriches the lives of the school's children and enhances the educational experience they benefit from.</span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVerlNELUhLXUjn9qjH-8I63C56cqe4svhNgaCzX7GBfN5mQKG2WbtCFla4whgZ1_yuE0l6thwPdYspeZ6USYk-7SBMlLPGF_X0OZkIc-CzZY3ymB4LdLu7ReI0x69EdEy0kTBSauPPIsuB6z74x8Hne2v7ViIndVRn_1cwYvtM_StzptZ8eFbCO8IMQ/s640/Sohm%20LBS%20stationery%202.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="332" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVerlNELUhLXUjn9qjH-8I63C56cqe4svhNgaCzX7GBfN5mQKG2WbtCFla4whgZ1_yuE0l6thwPdYspeZ6USYk-7SBMlLPGF_X0OZkIc-CzZY3ymB4LdLu7ReI0x69EdEy0kTBSauPPIsuB6z74x8Hne2v7ViIndVRn_1cwYvtM_StzptZ8eFbCO8IMQ/w443-h332/Sohm%20LBS%20stationery%202.jpg" width="443" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Sohm pupils, February 2022, showing some of the staionery supplies donated to the school by SSS</i><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">None of this would be possible without the continued support we get from YOU, our supporters. Pride of place of which must go to the generous support we receive from the parents, pupils and staff at <i>Beech Hill Community Prmary school</i> in Luton.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">We have mentioned before the large sums of money they have raised for Sohm LBS - with which they are twinned -over the years and are delighted to see the recognition they get locally for their efforts, via the local press. Below is a copy of the coverage they received from <i>Luton News</i> last month, for their latest Gambia Day.</span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNF0ktBBAzJva_wxIdwYnuxcbI-h6EerJo-UZRbbB_b73i18ZYZDBAfqyUbVKjMB1Hyl2v_ErntxVbzcnJ20c-m_z1jRnp8dF2AbolmIVForuzMgw9burYhapm4xSdhMcAQQxHU-AbOauSntfG5jtBzbXP6t7JmWy6pSxeMU5D8fsoC9Zr6Gaqg_RNXg/s2338/Beech%20Hill%20June%202022.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1700" data-original-width="2338" height="337" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNF0ktBBAzJva_wxIdwYnuxcbI-h6EerJo-UZRbbB_b73i18ZYZDBAfqyUbVKjMB1Hyl2v_ErntxVbzcnJ20c-m_z1jRnp8dF2AbolmIVForuzMgw9burYhapm4xSdhMcAQQxHU-AbOauSntfG5jtBzbXP6t7JmWy6pSxeMU5D8fsoC9Zr6Gaqg_RNXg/w463-h337/Beech%20Hill%20June%202022.jpg" width="463" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"> <i>Luton News, 29 June 2022, reporting Beech Hill's recent Gambia day</i></span><br /></span></td></tr></tbody></table><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">So - as the pupils break up for their summer holidays, all connected with the school can look back on an enriched educational year, assisted by all of you, through your generous support.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">A <b>BIG</b> thanks to all of our supporters for <b>YOUR</b> on-going support! Keep the funds rolling in, so that we can continue to help enrich the lives of large numbers of African youngsters, at relatively low per capita costs.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Next post - the conclusion of our ambitious Sukuta Project - the substantial refurbishment and modernistaion of Sukuta LBS - the Gambia's largest (2,000 pupils) primary school.</span><br /></p>John Walkerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07186291200017823878noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6148102787354552919.post-28241988322137441482022-05-30T11:53:00.001+01:002022-05-30T11:54:27.141+01:00Another magnificent Beech Hill Gambia Day<p><span style="font-family: verdana;">A huge thank you to Beech Hill community primary school in Luton for their continued magnificent support for the children of the Sohm Lower Basic (primary) school. They recently held their third "Gambia Day", which raised in excess of £2,000 - which via Gift Aid can translate into £2,500 - for the Gambian school.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">The day featured assemblies to all of the 1,000 children at Beech Hill, with slides, videos and a chat about how their previous efforts have aided the Gambian youngsters. This was followed by activities in all classes, who addressed national curriculum topics through Gambian themes. There were drawing, writing, dance, history, geography, music and social studies classes working round Gambian topics.</span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJSCABCpQwg9DcrQ1YsmHJrAyX-qOkOaSiB4b6wfSQeugs9AXT6hc61Vp8AAnhShYTxAyqVUNe9WtHovOS8eWnWAAUyRNhYrYAbchK6Sfnbkz_Cn2xwHXyEbuRTBC4_KKmR-798KEac5x79gXyVsx7jd7QrFyUx5QNvrlVriiKmdAAlWZgiYaJI5qmNQ/s3264/video%20background.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2448" data-original-width="3264" height="338" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJSCABCpQwg9DcrQ1YsmHJrAyX-qOkOaSiB4b6wfSQeugs9AXT6hc61Vp8AAnhShYTxAyqVUNe9WtHovOS8eWnWAAUyRNhYrYAbchK6Sfnbkz_Cn2xwHXyEbuRTBC4_KKmR-798KEac5x79gXyVsx7jd7QrFyUx5QNvrlVriiKmdAAlWZgiYaJI5qmNQ/w451-h338/video%20background.jpeg" width="451" /> </a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"> </span></div><span style="font-family: arial;"><i><span> Some of Beech Hill's children responding to a video </span></i></span><p></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><i><span> showing Sohm children singing and dancing for them</span></i></span><br /></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">In addition, Beech Hill's cheft did some demonstrations of how bread is cooked in African countries and an African drum teacher was brought in and conducted lessons on tribal drumming thoughout the day.</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"> </span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1-gWubmGajU_thW_v6xB_ItchBedyAWIK8WCLLuJuRmoO4KL6bQkerkr_NyO_yjCH1pUA3TLniGZxefqREiL_WBt706AQKyUyfIm2n0plJ08TvG50t7wvzx_WMXsQ4Ahw7U5UqgbAIe-axclRWRmlHdm4NKvyp211iMVEKNbJ9Q2Dbyg0h8TlJYdT2A/s2644/drums.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1983" data-original-width="2644" height="303" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1-gWubmGajU_thW_v6xB_ItchBedyAWIK8WCLLuJuRmoO4KL6bQkerkr_NyO_yjCH1pUA3TLniGZxefqREiL_WBt706AQKyUyfIm2n0plJ08TvG50t7wvzx_WMXsQ4Ahw7U5UqgbAIe-axclRWRmlHdm4NKvyp211iMVEKNbJ9Q2Dbyg0h8TlJYdT2A/w404-h303/drums.jpeg" width="404" /> </a></p><p style="text-align: center;"><i>One of the African drumming classes , during Beech Hill's "Gambia Day"</i><br /></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">At the end of the day some of the great parents and support staff sold food that they had made from donations by local traders, in takeawy cartons, for parents, as they picked up their children from school. Surplus school and donated books were also sold, on a stall, with funds going to Sohm.</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"> </span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1xCQPl6Tgx_XiCeD0-7egBPb2oxNc_LlvjHFlGK_4dDJcL5CKLFq4R14rwZgIGIX1Ajlee0OT5G-uF5Ag6bs4PY2ezdlIncl3CslkEFSyhPzVtWhYMMKAakAwdv6inHdJhh05arzTkq4DkjLhwEr-GIXjMamvt7D_1Av7d9mBjoBC5FUH1Tl1T6B6dw/s2705/photo%205.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2043" data-original-width="2705" height="292" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1xCQPl6Tgx_XiCeD0-7egBPb2oxNc_LlvjHFlGK_4dDJcL5CKLFq4R14rwZgIGIX1Ajlee0OT5G-uF5Ag6bs4PY2ezdlIncl3CslkEFSyhPzVtWhYMMKAakAwdv6inHdJhh05arzTkq4DkjLhwEr-GIXjMamvt7D_1Av7d9mBjoBC5FUH1Tl1T6B6dw/w387-h292/photo%205.JPG" width="387" /> </a></p><p style="text-align: center;"><i>Delicious food, lovingly prepared and profitably sold for the benefit of Sohm's children. Great work by Beech Hill staff, parents and supportive local traders! </i></p><p style="text-align: center;"><i> </i></p><p style="text-align: center;"><i> </i><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilVTjSI9M8lzqsiVOcZLer5S4_9j_o8CFO5dyTN-pAqsoh6opwgBTmDfXxv4dLkXjGCYtxUgKDZE3OcdwOKZ4fASExXtLce6_79OwyEsbTRVHu-icHY0R57fvM8xt2cPJd2EKlf2Ud37F5rdD5xe3iAHFteSXqWSIZyc-QcClwhcOs6UBFjEnjiSJeQA/s1801/Picture%203%20(1).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1353" data-original-width="1801" height="278" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilVTjSI9M8lzqsiVOcZLer5S4_9j_o8CFO5dyTN-pAqsoh6opwgBTmDfXxv4dLkXjGCYtxUgKDZE3OcdwOKZ4fASExXtLce6_79OwyEsbTRVHu-icHY0R57fvM8xt2cPJd2EKlf2Ud37F5rdD5xe3iAHFteSXqWSIZyc-QcClwhcOs6UBFjEnjiSJeQA/w371-h278/Picture%203%20(1).jpg" width="371" /> </a></p><p style="text-align: center;"><i>A fund-raising book sale was held during the day, of surplus school books and donations from staff and parents</i><br /></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">As the "target" photo, below, illustrates, Beech Hill has raised almost £10,000 over the last few years for Sohm. This has lead to a formal twinning arrangement between the two schools, the purchase of all the stationery (books for the children, flip charts and duplicating paper etc for the staff) over the last four years, together with huge assistance with major refurbishing and modernisng projects at the school in Sohm.</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"> </span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxS_nnxsMI_9i16pJMzbGOJNxzR71CkiAX99l6Bch_fmkpmme0tNl81hb25xni_5qCCMmfIbuvPqOVgctboxINYFdOz0N_kgMw_hsEj6Wssl8DEQpQszl0kb4-ukVHFW6N1xv910alfi2mADjl6C_8DjLS_iNQs4d3n_WLj-Q5WJPO_063RnuK5gulZA/s2585/Target.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2585" data-original-width="1939" height="405" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxS_nnxsMI_9i16pJMzbGOJNxzR71CkiAX99l6Bch_fmkpmme0tNl81hb25xni_5qCCMmfIbuvPqOVgctboxINYFdOz0N_kgMw_hsEj6Wssl8DEQpQszl0kb4-ukVHFW6N1xv910alfi2mADjl6C_8DjLS_iNQs4d3n_WLj-Q5WJPO_063RnuK5gulZA/w304-h405/Target.jpeg" width="304" /> </a></p><p style="text-align: center;"><i>Beech Hill has raised almost £10,000 for Sohm over the last five years. Magnificent! </i><br /></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">The Luton children clearly enjoyed the day and have learned a great deal, over the years of the lives of their African counterparts. The children in Sohm have obviously benefitted materially, but in educational and communications terms, too. One of the great outcomes of the twinning arrangment has been the regular exchange of letters and artwork between the two schools.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">What follows are some photos that illustrate how well the twinning operates in practice.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC0zaCQNuoDizo0owJiXWD5g53gFzXRSzzlfm9mceAsJXzPPrQUyETHIQ0kRdLGv5cHjRk872yF7XSf6ZkQHtkHQJMvNSvC_0ECIaoSkDfj6DEPqmslls-125nHhpjbWVo9Ys9U5WV7IKSEsFL-N-1N5UIY7_I1DrVOR9rxe641OndKTn85gMjDZjDzg/s640/Chairs%20(36).jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC0zaCQNuoDizo0owJiXWD5g53gFzXRSzzlfm9mceAsJXzPPrQUyETHIQ0kRdLGv5cHjRk872yF7XSf6ZkQHtkHQJMvNSvC_0ECIaoSkDfj6DEPqmslls-125nHhpjbWVo9Ys9U5WV7IKSEsFL-N-1N5UIY7_I1DrVOR9rxe641OndKTn85gMjDZjDzg/w267-h200/Chairs%20(36).jpg" width="267" /></a><span style="font-family: verdana;"></span></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwUnqRB7Of8NdYtKsuspm94HcVB12eRqEkA-c0vwW0IRGM4JVMWE3X_QSBe_owTs3VwFGPH-dUnX1D9mULLST7nKqjlQ5A4R0RNF1qpOSzulJGKVAkfg4wgxNKK2WcT2Aa48i4xWt5aC8faRO2tz-rpyomh8xwkohgHU3yGE8RcRQoeb6j73PxP3zszg/s640/Chairs%20(43).jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwUnqRB7Of8NdYtKsuspm94HcVB12eRqEkA-c0vwW0IRGM4JVMWE3X_QSBe_owTs3VwFGPH-dUnX1D9mULLST7nKqjlQ5A4R0RNF1qpOSzulJGKVAkfg4wgxNKK2WcT2Aa48i4xWt5aC8faRO2tz-rpyomh8xwkohgHU3yGE8RcRQoeb6j73PxP3zszg/w285-h213/Chairs%20(43).jpg" width="285" /></a><p></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"> </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"> </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"> </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"> </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"> </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"> </span></p><p style="margin-left: 40px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: small;"> <span style="font-family: arial;"><i>Two of the Beech Hill "sponsored chairs" donated to the new hall the school helped to fund</i></span></span></span></p><p style="margin-left: 40px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><i><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgULMIxfNaZ8zPW4TcEXR_cUe3Alu1CF5mnZ9xLbMGtyWg8SakBVNe9FO5G7lw8Br3tUu_BhhHqne0oHNfuN9o_vi-jnLQC-30GG-RdX48bgMG0tjFToJnXZtOBM_RRtfPqYaBHOizaVuOdqEXPJRZZt4Fnzjlp4XsfQokX3zjLWBn3AV3cDuK0IWsCSQ/s640/Beech%20Hill%20messages%20to%20Sohm%202.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="316" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgULMIxfNaZ8zPW4TcEXR_cUe3Alu1CF5mnZ9xLbMGtyWg8SakBVNe9FO5G7lw8Br3tUu_BhhHqne0oHNfuN9o_vi-jnLQC-30GG-RdX48bgMG0tjFToJnXZtOBM_RRtfPqYaBHOizaVuOdqEXPJRZZt4Fnzjlp4XsfQokX3zjLWBn3AV3cDuK0IWsCSQ/w422-h316/Beech%20Hill%20messages%20to%20Sohm%202.jpg" width="422" /></a> </i></span></span></span></p><p style="margin-left: 40px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><i>Sohm children displaying some of the letters and artwork sent by their "twins" from Beech Hill, in February this year</i></span></span></span></p><p style="margin-left: 40px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><i> </i></span></span></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin1GHSmbxOddYnQxU5xhWXITZLz986KaGmdeZ66G1ArYd03eiHkTUDvDsXidYuLshNTqH5K6HMXLTvvLGxfpP_VhRUFkMExq-lC5MfT16ZpeV6oeGyQnEslXZlMi04vx-oZPTCEEnY_cbVCrn0eQtm76dXgWRm1z3LAYN19lhIb_JhhgrhIHVftR1Mig/s3784/IMG_3143.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2476" data-original-width="3784" height="285" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin1GHSmbxOddYnQxU5xhWXITZLz986KaGmdeZ66G1ArYd03eiHkTUDvDsXidYuLshNTqH5K6HMXLTvvLGxfpP_VhRUFkMExq-lC5MfT16ZpeV6oeGyQnEslXZlMi04vx-oZPTCEEnY_cbVCrn0eQtm76dXgWRm1z3LAYN19lhIb_JhhgrhIHVftR1Mig/w437-h285/IMG_3143.JPG" width="437" /> </a></p><p style="margin-left: 40px; text-align: center;"><i>Formal recognition of the twinning - Beech Hill's logo outside the Sohm school's headteacher's office </i></p><p style="margin-left: 40px; text-align: center;"><i> </i><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIRgc-gz7glLSAoxOTTMZ45XgG4d0huY2ekS6GcHaCICyQJMfT20efvU_fq80G1dY_SJoP06xSqhMO6BGrdMDAJIvsOpzx9y-j004ulb4n9eK9_jRGndMqCqtD9aY4Bcxn7eLaBPPK253H5-m4qaPP2MB22t5LoFoIxh28QnSrP2wJ9hLbBRg1pPn5ew/s640/Sohm%20LBS%20stationery%201.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="324" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIRgc-gz7glLSAoxOTTMZ45XgG4d0huY2ekS6GcHaCICyQJMfT20efvU_fq80G1dY_SJoP06xSqhMO6BGrdMDAJIvsOpzx9y-j004ulb4n9eK9_jRGndMqCqtD9aY4Bcxn7eLaBPPK253H5-m4qaPP2MB22t5LoFoIxh28QnSrP2wJ9hLbBRg1pPn5ew/w432-h324/Sohm%20LBS%20stationery%201.jpg" width="432" /> </a></p><p style="margin-left: 40px; text-align: center;"><i>Sohm's children displaying some of the donated stationery that Beech Hill's contribution has helped fund </i></p><p style="margin-left: 40px; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN-qDrcG3OjfcF_Ol2UkB2aAr404AOu9eBxUB4jp5-bCZ0zwOzh6lESVSo8XRObayLfnlrHuk4FKgFNiHijrf5nCYGD0fg5G3ifPm0bTwWr9W2WjiPl_8uS_jWEH8eJW4SwB01CnZ1O7Dz1lw2rnzLktuPrP5q3LCJMakhaVFcSKkdLPv6Ok3eg1JO6Q/s640/Sohm%20LBS%20children%20with%20refurbed%20furniture%20in%20refurbed%20block%206.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="319" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN-qDrcG3OjfcF_Ol2UkB2aAr404AOu9eBxUB4jp5-bCZ0zwOzh6lESVSo8XRObayLfnlrHuk4FKgFNiHijrf5nCYGD0fg5G3ifPm0bTwWr9W2WjiPl_8uS_jWEH8eJW4SwB01CnZ1O7Dz1lw2rnzLktuPrP5q3LCJMakhaVFcSKkdLPv6Ok3eg1JO6Q/w425-h319/Sohm%20LBS%20children%20with%20refurbed%20furniture%20in%20refurbed%20block%206.jpg" width="425" /> </a></p><p style="margin-left: 40px; text-align: center;"><i>Over the last year we have helped fund the restoration of a classroom block in Sohm and repair some of the broken furniture. These nursery children are clearly benefitting! </i></p><p></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">So - on behalf of the children, teachers and parents of Sohm - we'd like to say a huge <b>THANK YOU</b> to all concerned at Beech Hill. Their support has been vital - and long may it continue!</span><br /></p><p><br /></p>John Walkerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07186291200017823878noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6148102787354552919.post-21969847128982246932022-04-27T10:43:00.001+01:002022-04-27T10:43:41.875+01:00Huge progress in Sukuta<p>Regular visitors to this site will know that we have taken the lead in helping to transform Sukuta Lower Basic (primary) school, in The Gambia - largely through the many arms of Rotary International. The school, with 2,000 pupils, is one of the country's largest and the project is ambitious.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhof2lWg_0oJSC_m3pcJ_BFs56g1M67Hk8S4YdE6chSgjrGaAl_bOvUIL41F36DMM_yk9Peog-KqeGr_Migkshhv1GJ1zKRNfbzRxCfL8sHWfm3RugbKkWcYGeF2z1S5VgClfEnp4Wi4mJRq_NJ-beUaUW_5mSDHSeGSQkurxYoIN8uAejDOAAH9MNfEw/s1080/Parents%20meeting%203.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="810" data-original-width="1080" height="308" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhof2lWg_0oJSC_m3pcJ_BFs56g1M67Hk8S4YdE6chSgjrGaAl_bOvUIL41F36DMM_yk9Peog-KqeGr_Migkshhv1GJ1zKRNfbzRxCfL8sHWfm3RugbKkWcYGeF2z1S5VgClfEnp4Wi4mJRq_NJ-beUaUW_5mSDHSeGSQkurxYoIN8uAejDOAAH9MNfEw/w411-h308/Parents%20meeting%203.jpg" width="411" /></a></div><br /> <i>Parents' meeting at the Sukuta school, discussing the priorities to be adopted for the ambitious project</i><br /><p></p><p>Over a two-year period, we were able to raise in excess of £35,000 - mainly through Rotary - to pay for the project. Sohm Schools Support provided a substantial donation to launch the fund-raising and the Rotary Club of Redbridge undertook finding the rest of the money. The Redbridge club, itself, contributed £5,000 and two other London clubs (Barkingside and Gants Hill) made generous donations. The London regional District contributed $10,000, and two of Redbridge's twinned clubs in Europe (in the Hague and Slovenia), both made important contributions. On the back of all of this, the Rotary Foundation, in Chicago, contrubuted a further $8,000.</p><p style="text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn7J3GHgwdYzjJyiWjhut3XbBHp-FtEg-Z7RGIjJpbz1ggVQ-CLxR443dBV3hEIoT9c7lt-H_y8I8R7cUgrhzNiJI3ACqOipKXL3SxfLxUpi24aqQeLMKgIzkH4TVA1QRZaP143TBgt5HrhIif49wFTCaSSXgZyj10I1VeGNVOPi1gi-d236kTEve5Yw/s1032/computer%20room%2025%20apr%20(5).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="774" data-original-width="1032" height="301" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn7J3GHgwdYzjJyiWjhut3XbBHp-FtEg-Z7RGIjJpbz1ggVQ-CLxR443dBV3hEIoT9c7lt-H_y8I8R7cUgrhzNiJI3ACqOipKXL3SxfLxUpi24aqQeLMKgIzkH4TVA1QRZaP143TBgt5HrhIif49wFTCaSSXgZyj10I1VeGNVOPi1gi-d236kTEve5Yw/w401-h301/computer%20room%2025%20apr%20(5).JPG" width="401" /> </a></p><p style="text-align: center;"><i>Extension of footprint and size of the computer room - underway </i><br /></p><p>The project at the school had seven elements and aimed to: greatly increase the water supply and capacity at the school, by erecting additional solar-powered storage tanks, and from them running a number of waterlines to standpipes scattered throughout the school. These are to be located near toilets and food serving and eating areas, by the first aid room (see later) and by classroom blocks. All of this activity will assist with personal and food hygiene and offer easier access to drinking water for the children.</p><p>The school's toilets were dilapitated, and as "the local contribution" - a requirement of Rotary Global grants - the Gambian Ministry of Education agreed to replace the old ones with new ones.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkudKm5I1ed3t54t9aC4Say8XWe5powzBVh5s_qfTWm1_-_6KEI49FuLoxPx_ReFp5HrIshgDs3oJTZNR3IDdX20ljlThu8zTRf8xisMXZchUaIxzlGms6UN9H7cxpoOlp7MY-iA8kmd6FXGGulOnK6KlnCe-rr9gEBeUOP0WmQfpV9F8-JwQy_CNZ1g/s640/Sukuta%20toilets%203.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="299" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkudKm5I1ed3t54t9aC4Say8XWe5powzBVh5s_qfTWm1_-_6KEI49FuLoxPx_ReFp5HrIshgDs3oJTZNR3IDdX20ljlThu8zTRf8xisMXZchUaIxzlGms6UN9H7cxpoOlp7MY-iA8kmd6FXGGulOnK6KlnCe-rr9gEBeUOP0WmQfpV9F8-JwQy_CNZ1g/w398-h299/Sukuta%20toilets%203.jpg" width="398" /></a></div><p style="text-align: center;"><i> Part of new toilet blocks, already installed by the Gambia's Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education</i><br /></p><p>There is no sick room in this school of 2,000 pupils - so the project proposed to build one. The school's library was out of commission, because termite damage had destroyed many of the books, and made the room a health hazard. The Sukuta project aims to seal the walls and floor of the room and re-tile them, to prevent the re-emergence of the termites.</p><p style="text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisNUVsRXbvCeGM6SHVgiuH8gVBDKoM-zLZWo46O3LU5kPIsuI9gBy1mv9Fj89RZmf5m-dMoV-D54dfx4qlTNYAXpCksuXjj8ZQx-SeMkwb1Li7YNaR-KuPfYD4AsuBTIgo5UdYDhnyhAZ1C6PFB9B3k_vE8y9ndOCg21sejlnC_evSy_GeKnuktThXHg/s1032/sick%20bay%2025%20apr%20(2).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="774" data-original-width="1032" height="293" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisNUVsRXbvCeGM6SHVgiuH8gVBDKoM-zLZWo46O3LU5kPIsuI9gBy1mv9Fj89RZmf5m-dMoV-D54dfx4qlTNYAXpCksuXjj8ZQx-SeMkwb1Li7YNaR-KuPfYD4AsuBTIgo5UdYDhnyhAZ1C6PFB9B3k_vE8y9ndOCg21sejlnC_evSy_GeKnuktThXHg/w390-h293/sick%20bay%2025%20apr%20(2).JPG" width="390" /> </a></p><p style="text-align: center;"><i>Construction of the school's first sick room, well under way </i></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><p style="text-align: center;"><i><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhofngu4AMLYJvYX61Krs6SIVzRd5p6Oket63oYLAlED-juT9E9pE7Y7v4RFtUS4nUOmse5_vdL0eQQavd5ONFOLFmnZSmSLABD2QCh4tPBU8ATdCLjHmwVyc9pfzOATMyL0q5hp-2l3Ki7ugv7iC11ROiHapjy6CY986BZQfUp608LNZBtoZJjPZk3TA/s1032/computer%20room%2025%20Apr%20(4).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="774" data-original-width="1032" height="294" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhofngu4AMLYJvYX61Krs6SIVzRd5p6Oket63oYLAlED-juT9E9pE7Y7v4RFtUS4nUOmse5_vdL0eQQavd5ONFOLFmnZSmSLABD2QCh4tPBU8ATdCLjHmwVyc9pfzOATMyL0q5hp-2l3Ki7ugv7iC11ROiHapjy6CY986BZQfUp608LNZBtoZJjPZk3TA/w390-h294/computer%20room%2025%20Apr%20(4).JPG" width="390" /></a> </i></p><p style="text-align: center;"><i>Dis-infestation of termites from school's library - well under way<br /></i></p><p>The school's only "computer room" is reasonably well-equipped, but is too small to provide access for all the pupils to have a lesson in it, each week. The project proposed to increase the room's size by around 30%, to overcome the problem of the inadequately sized room.</p><p>The final aspect of the project is to build a safe, water-supplied, hygenic base for the provison of school lunches. At present local traders (overwhelmingly women) sell meagre lunches under trees in the blistering heat, in the school's playground. The school's head and Council wanted sheltered accommodation to be built for the future safety and comfort of the saleswomen, and children, alike.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzowfATM8NV5QO_L2R4hsJNyeMOnWi6_6zyhdV-ykGRCK0ropDm9q_9n477W8-W_It4qi2KiAYvLg1d9RR-1hulwerdNzPjbXElD4uZ7TdT1h8EzGYqOfpE_tGA_81HS1MeLLt3HoNr_bFiPGTU7NsAc3DltKfB27gIpQVL3wOgVx1PYGLJx9Vz1l3og/s1032/vendors%20block%2025%20Apr.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="774" data-original-width="1032" height="302" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzowfATM8NV5QO_L2R4hsJNyeMOnWi6_6zyhdV-ykGRCK0ropDm9q_9n477W8-W_It4qi2KiAYvLg1d9RR-1hulwerdNzPjbXElD4uZ7TdT1h8EzGYqOfpE_tGA_81HS1MeLLt3HoNr_bFiPGTU7NsAc3DltKfB27gIpQVL3wOgVx1PYGLJx9Vz1l3og/w403-h302/vendors%20block%2025%20Apr.JPG" width="403" /> </a></p><p style="text-align: center;"><i>Construction of sheltered area for food vendors - at an advanced stage</i><br /></p><p>Redbridge contacted a local club in the Gambia - Brusubi - based about five miles from Sukuta - to manage the project locally. All of this was arranged before I visited the country for 10 days at the start of March.</p><p>The first problem I encountered was that the original estimates upon which the project had been costed and funds raised, were almost two years old. Although a small contingency element was included, it wasn't large enough to account for the 35% increase in building material costs over the period. Some hard bargaining involving the local contractor, school management and the two Rotary clubs (Redbridge - the sponsor, and Brusubi - the host) negotiated a slight variation in the specification, while mainating the intergrity of the project, which enabled it to be undertaken - within budget.</p><p>The contract-signing ceremony took place in front of a local audience of around 50 people, on March 8th - International Women's Day. And how significant that was. two of the key signatories - the recently appointed school head and the recently appointed CEO of the building contractors' - were both women . This would have been unheard of, even a decade ago in The Gambia. They were flanked at the signing cermenony by Omar Jallow, President of the Rotary Club of Brusubi, and me - represnting RC Redbridge (see photo).</p><p> </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiygD0MCCfmVdU_lqIjdwQ7HFoNYnF6jgCPxLnZCxs9fjeHLwaYItKhGnPuJHZGOFlx8IyymfGfA565U9AUeuTwye_DhLQsT5ZdMwsJn5hrJLiLhK1zIPkEeVlkVgDqW9yyby0TfdNYHhoSgeooagLqFoxtdAoKZX_5RiGbhyhG_mZxlIBgbORzIn24zA/s1032/Sukuta%20contract%20signing%204.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="774" data-original-width="1032" height="356" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiygD0MCCfmVdU_lqIjdwQ7HFoNYnF6jgCPxLnZCxs9fjeHLwaYItKhGnPuJHZGOFlx8IyymfGfA565U9AUeuTwye_DhLQsT5ZdMwsJn5hrJLiLhK1zIPkEeVlkVgDqW9yyby0TfdNYHhoSgeooagLqFoxtdAoKZX_5RiGbhyhG_mZxlIBgbORzIn24zA/w475-h356/Sukuta%20contract%20signing%204.JPG" width="475" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Contract signing ceremony. Left to right: Omar Jallow, President Brusubi
Rotary Club, Marian Mendy, head teacher, Sukuta Lower
Basic school, Jainbarr Sarr, Chief Executive Future in Our Hands
(contractor), John Walker (Sohm Schools Support and Redbridge Rotary)</i></div><p> Part of the hard bargaining over the contract embraced a tight timescale for its completeion. The aim is for the end of June.</p><p>Builders were on the site within a week of the signing and progress has been quite remarkable in the six weeks since then - as the photos in this blog show. I hope to be able to run an article in July featuring photos of all of the elements of the project, completed.</p><p style="text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPq5HtpNqG7dNPs6D9EPLLdx0FKrM8oZNE1dIwv-r98pDm0I8HrLQRxPlI_egPy0JqZx_e59AnFz7-QyjP-C06yiA_nuvKt9A3kFhsUHKGC9Pb4PbWtgWw53kWhK8pToclCCRMDewBRp6WK_0cXUIdpvSnK2pMiS4ryoeEP1RbP3yGl637SE-pdY7ttg/s2338/Sukuta%20Framework%20agreement.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2338" data-original-width="1657" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPq5HtpNqG7dNPs6D9EPLLdx0FKrM8oZNE1dIwv-r98pDm0I8HrLQRxPlI_egPy0JqZx_e59AnFz7-QyjP-C06yiA_nuvKt9A3kFhsUHKGC9Pb4PbWtgWw53kWhK8pToclCCRMDewBRp6WK_0cXUIdpvSnK2pMiS4ryoeEP1RbP3yGl637SE-pdY7ttg/s320/Sukuta%20Framework%20agreement.jpg" width="227" /> </a></p><p style="text-align: center;"><i>Framework contract - signed, sealed and being delivered! </i><br /></p><p></p><p>But, in the meantime, a huge thanks to all involved in making the project come so rapidly to fruition.</p><p>These include the generous supporters of the Sohm Schools Support charity, whose funds launched initiative and the many arms of Rotary who have provided additional funding and are overseeing the construction process. </p><p>And finally, huge thanks to the fine and thoroughly professional staff of contractors, Future In Our Hands, whose steady application is gradually bringing to fruition what, three years ago, was a casual conversation between me and the then deputy head of the school, about trying to transform it</p><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><br /></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />.<br /><p></p>John Walkerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07186291200017823878noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6148102787354552919.post-72001245939758841612022-03-22T21:05:00.000+00:002022-03-22T21:05:33.084+00:00Successful return - after two years!<p>I have just returned from a brief, successful, trip to the Gambia - following a two year absence, for COVID-related reasons - and feel there are good stories to tell about the schools in Sohm and beyond.</p><p>I'll concentrate on Sohm in this post, and deal with our Rotary-supported project in Sukuta, of which I've written much over the last year or so, in a blog in a couple of weeks.</p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMZd9E4V1QWIUzH7Jxv-S_S6x5jvy_qbycV3Fe3k1d0h9fl-W2eGoJby4_IURAqlpaIBb_Zqg3FzTSYabpjBSht8aZUjvpBh6Tl5KMk7vXIA5UVektppxU10iGSWvXB5SU5BYcGvpc5k3JLnr6nLgDFhujVlYqq1OHjfzmjXCh5zGvpxR3Nq0CQBFR-g/s528/Sohm%20LBS%20snr%20mgt%20team%20with%20sponsors'%20logos.jpg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="383" data-original-width="528" height="392" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMZd9E4V1QWIUzH7Jxv-S_S6x5jvy_qbycV3Fe3k1d0h9fl-W2eGoJby4_IURAqlpaIBb_Zqg3FzTSYabpjBSht8aZUjvpBh6Tl5KMk7vXIA5UVektppxU10iGSWvXB5SU5BYcGvpc5k3JLnr6nLgDFhujVlYqq1OHjfzmjXCh5zGvpxR3Nq0CQBFR-g/w540-h392/Sohm%20LBS%20snr%20mgt%20team%20with%20sponsors'%20logos.jpg" width="540" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Senior management team, with Rotary and Beech Hill logos<br /></i></td></tr></tbody></table><p>Firstly, although the Sohm schools were closed for nine months, because of the local COVID lockdown, there seemed to have been few - if any - serious cases of the virus in the village. The Lower Basic (primary) school's staff, however, were very greatful for the supplies of masks and sanitiser that we were able to get to the school, via our good friends at the Scottish charity First Aid for Gambia.</p><p> </p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrfEzmPW8BKr5zTzQyhusiluN1QSRFlXFZ6dup9fRUkfr6JKJqA3eSfxClb8xP7Gk9QtdRFv3Nf93laqSehFeK2W7iuiQuCb3BG0_AUXo1dcMFkiKZgjvhpihSl5yG_a1vbvVuo27fduF6ea4GvtIZHiVZJKIWsYl5ymu9rM3B03zJ_Jf230-NGGzMKA/s1080/covid%20equipemnt%202021.JPG" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="809" data-original-width="1080" height="284" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrfEzmPW8BKr5zTzQyhusiluN1QSRFlXFZ6dup9fRUkfr6JKJqA3eSfxClb8xP7Gk9QtdRFv3Nf93laqSehFeK2W7iuiQuCb3BG0_AUXo1dcMFkiKZgjvhpihSl5yG_a1vbvVuo27fduF6ea4GvtIZHiVZJKIWsYl5ymu9rM3B03zJ_Jf230-NGGzMKA/w379-h284/covid%20equipemnt%202021.JPG" width="379" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Pupils and staff with SSS-supplied anti-COVID sanitisers and masks</i></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8FwO_KMFYsiIUb6rAKfk-9njtL_TG8GVLgx5MX6Qz2AaqiNbPg201D8F6aTE3Q0GY0wbWG3qnGMAgsLYcZQ7_E_hrNeKN3UiHmcAgPJ5hUJMEPgYBuGz61u9CjQwk8MQSX9SUz7UGj0svte0JCSJQW_8PYcMj-RcCFuSJI0XDcMkGakavyYGtnkEt1Q/s1080/Covid%20masks%20and%20hand%20spray%202021.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="809" height="411" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8FwO_KMFYsiIUb6rAKfk-9njtL_TG8GVLgx5MX6Qz2AaqiNbPg201D8F6aTE3Q0GY0wbWG3qnGMAgsLYcZQ7_E_hrNeKN3UiHmcAgPJ5hUJMEPgYBuGz61u9CjQwk8MQSX9SUz7UGj0svte0JCSJQW_8PYcMj-RcCFuSJI0XDcMkGakavyYGtnkEt1Q/w308-h411/Covid%20masks%20and%20hand%20spray%202021.JPG" width="308" /></a></p><p></p><p>Before I left the UK, the pupils at Beech Hill in Luton, with which Sohm LBS is twinned, produced some lovely artwork and letters for me to take to Sohm. The Gambian youngsters were delighted, and below are some photos of some proudly displaying their incoming correspondence.</p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwlY3jteti6xWx02scLNn0j7PP5B9vqRc59_WMkLO0SapdIm3wClacO1b3G9zRrAq6tN_UlZvodEh0pjRcDd9W5lXPrYlyf798E3neXLPpcEOi-kdw4dqivil2K3rndhDAgbekxncyrZBI6_EWmsCPyAFurXhY7-QKZwiRWDRLEeGiZ1RzQLcn0eGw6w/s640/Beech%20Hill%20messages%20to%20Sohm%203.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="301" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwlY3jteti6xWx02scLNn0j7PP5B9vqRc59_WMkLO0SapdIm3wClacO1b3G9zRrAq6tN_UlZvodEh0pjRcDd9W5lXPrYlyf798E3neXLPpcEOi-kdw4dqivil2K3rndhDAgbekxncyrZBI6_EWmsCPyAFurXhY7-QKZwiRWDRLEeGiZ1RzQLcn0eGw6w/w401-h301/Beech%20Hill%20messages%20to%20Sohm%203.jpg" width="401" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Some of the Beech Hill letters to Sohm</i><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBKvFakoGrkxxyz9pCpY4sFYuTPnQrfuYaeWnJ0xhG66mWyy8_AqRFo66J8jzSA6R83AOhYTtTmA9fw7ZrlI1RDUzblxij_7KQu-A_DZqA-jKRWLALKKkc19-j_i8XfdcAvXVruwBz3BwK3zPME6aoyi3uPcUndZl2YP4jSZMVWC_yLQCT7pH7SdHKBA/s640/Beech%20Hill%20messages%20to%20Sohm%207.jpg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="323" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBKvFakoGrkxxyz9pCpY4sFYuTPnQrfuYaeWnJ0xhG66mWyy8_AqRFo66J8jzSA6R83AOhYTtTmA9fw7ZrlI1RDUzblxij_7KQu-A_DZqA-jKRWLALKKkc19-j_i8XfdcAvXVruwBz3BwK3zPME6aoyi3uPcUndZl2YP4jSZMVWC_yLQCT7pH7SdHKBA/w431-h323/Beech%20Hill%20messages%20to%20Sohm%207.jpg" width="431" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>and more ....</i><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="322" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyIWVyBW7AJknAbTJW7xojMCt-jnOmnn8OIKcxJbrbcIlExAFagpEyg0OPYjGdF7atUxZbMX6jpfGBoJygpfsqdYcbtXoehb_H9oaR4nsOT_e_ca3HYVc5W45SC0l5hLmxT86USDSz0eWbKot5hFhlwpsF9VHarFT7X857kHCQtzNkjYcZJ3gmKKh9vw/w429-h322/Beech%20Hill%20messages%20to%20Sohm%2012.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="429" /></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>and more ....</i><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXsVa1QjMezKvzdwkg9mIokrpDIcaQnwY6RxCS8j2GwuCgEo-m-v_GXkCV0VLVQfU-NXda7LZXSM5JnzNBymf-lzfq2ZLmrj2w-K7Ap2bDxjF5o33WeQRAEseqdmsQRPqw3_1Jl6wHkCuyQfg3BnYMG5iUBG7aCZYm-o1F8zz88sadOzn3Z9mLF7VUhQ/s640/Beech%20Hill%20messages%20to%20Sohm%201.jpg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="305" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXsVa1QjMezKvzdwkg9mIokrpDIcaQnwY6RxCS8j2GwuCgEo-m-v_GXkCV0VLVQfU-NXda7LZXSM5JnzNBymf-lzfq2ZLmrj2w-K7Ap2bDxjF5o33WeQRAEseqdmsQRPqw3_1Jl6wHkCuyQfg3BnYMG5iUBG7aCZYm-o1F8zz88sadOzn3Z9mLF7VUhQ/w407-h305/Beech%20Hill%20messages%20to%20Sohm%201.jpg" width="407" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>and more!</i><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p>The Sohm children have responded in kind, and within two days turned around a similarly impressive set of letters and art work, which we will share with Beech Hill, when they have their annual "Gambia Day", in April.</p><p>There has been plenty of work taking place on the ground in the Sohm LBS, to which we have contributed 50% of the cost, over the last two years. A six-classroom block, which was partially damaged by a hurricane two years ago, has now been completely restored and renovated. It is looking good, as the photos below show.</p><p>A local craftworker was also commissioned to repair over 100 pieces of broken school furniture, at an average cost of £8 per item, and with the chairs we supplied two years ago, the school is now well stocked with necessary furniture.</p><p></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwxJtslx1OXbs5IXF6VG718mvYVZEzMNaxL1bbswuZq6l6yUPrHxukHd8pJOh_8t-QewImXKPL1tcBuUrHuEYY2MeTi5EmuNSNxIXE2DJ7XXtGXwzDJwxeWkYCCa_mMIGJY4IIMpzyucuHzzzQsHN1icfJzVGknBufBDfNY-mIWf-9g_uVK2Hx6dmaaQ/s640/Sohm%20LBS%20children%20with%20refurbed%20furniture%20in%20refurbed%20block%206.jpg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="333" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwxJtslx1OXbs5IXF6VG718mvYVZEzMNaxL1bbswuZq6l6yUPrHxukHd8pJOh_8t-QewImXKPL1tcBuUrHuEYY2MeTi5EmuNSNxIXE2DJ7XXtGXwzDJwxeWkYCCa_mMIGJY4IIMpzyucuHzzzQsHN1icfJzVGknBufBDfNY-mIWf-9g_uVK2Hx6dmaaQ/w444-h333/Sohm%20LBS%20children%20with%20refurbed%20furniture%20in%20refurbed%20block%206.jpg" width="444" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>And nursery children - note reconditioned, shiny furniture!</i></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i> </i></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i> </i></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i> </i><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p>This means that in the ten years of our involvement with Sohm LBS, we have restored and upgraded every building in the 500-pupil school - and the place is looking very smart.</p><p></p><p>We are delighted to report that our previous, large, building project - the new school hall - is now being well used. Its kitchen, which was part of the construction, is a busy source of nuitritional cooking, much of the food for which has been produced in the school's garden.</p><p> </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"></td><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwYsY53eNuS6ww4BVqkcwcrtBGvUEM4vY3euvOyC76sanOc4-LCE29fxIJpB9xHSX7eX2Vxd0r3U3Xo-mBGg7cnmP5Qbt4buTkBWMuljgliHVxpe3wawEHPUWk1lPDwAWAyJLgGdfU6s4UKXhsAU08vgRpiGsdKGgw_PLZcovxuwiYdu-4KeUdkisqUA/s640/Sohm%20LBS%20kitchen%202.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="315" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwYsY53eNuS6ww4BVqkcwcrtBGvUEM4vY3euvOyC76sanOc4-LCE29fxIJpB9xHSX7eX2Vxd0r3U3Xo-mBGg7cnmP5Qbt4buTkBWMuljgliHVxpe3wawEHPUWk1lPDwAWAyJLgGdfU6s4UKXhsAU08vgRpiGsdKGgw_PLZcovxuwiYdu-4KeUdkisqUA/w420-h315/Sohm%20LBS%20kitchen%202.jpg" width="420" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i> </i></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>New school kitchen - pots bubbling away with veg grown in the school's garden</i><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p>As we do every year, we made a donation of almost £1k of stationery to the school. This meets the whole requirements for the 500 children and staff there for the year. So, there are exercise books, pens, pencils, crayons for the pupils and flip charts, marker pens, chalks and record books, duplicating paper, printer inks etc. for the staff.</p><p>Below is a photo of some pupils displaying some of this donation. We have had a long relationship with a local stationer - Prime Stationers - in The Gambia, who has always given us extremenly competitive rates for our purchases. This year he made a significant personal contribution, to top up our donation. So, we were delighted to have some of the pupils wave some of his advertisng material, by way of thanks. Enlarged copies of some of these photos now adorn his shop, with the strapline "Delighted to support the education of local children" Win:win, here! </p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPyxcW70cGdGVvdjk3s-wMwgS9w1FSZkwlSf2etoW6o8Xs-6O7Zl8pG_xtY2fVKbGA79vCBs6RKQme4kILusV0pPRQdmvtMcxGL3-YU4EmEn72J9lzD6IGJmSg4-LfXg21JXv3fKPqeT7aEpa0BIoXBxXnrHgQiaAJVR5D1HkAfUzjOpBQMeS9ODGpSQ/s640/Sohm%20LBS%20stationery%201.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="309" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPyxcW70cGdGVvdjk3s-wMwgS9w1FSZkwlSf2etoW6o8Xs-6O7Zl8pG_xtY2fVKbGA79vCBs6RKQme4kILusV0pPRQdmvtMcxGL3-YU4EmEn72J9lzD6IGJmSg4-LfXg21JXv3fKPqeT7aEpa0BIoXBxXnrHgQiaAJVR5D1HkAfUzjOpBQMeS9ODGpSQ/w412-h309/Sohm%20LBS%20stationery%201.jpg" width="412" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Annual stationery donation, assisted by our friends from Prime Stationers</i><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p> One other donation to our charity must be recorded. One of our dearest supporters, concious that donations of clothing to developing countries rarely include underwear, was determined to redress the issue and purchased a large quanity of bras, knickers and underpants for what turned out to be a hugely grateful bunch of local recipients (modesty prevents us showing them in action!). It really was a bit of a struggle to get everything out there, and within airplane luggage restrictions - but we are glad we managed it! Delighted as we are to have assisted this very thoughtful donation, we are not opening up a clothes donation facility for the future! In previous years we have had access to free container space. Unfortunately, we no longer do.<br /></p><p>Our ten-year involvement with the school has had a remarkable impact on its educational performance. All schools in The Gambia are given an annual Scorecard, by the country's version of Ofsted. Below is Sohm's most recent score card. It has - quite simply - been turned from a run of the mill, rural, back water school, to the exemplar primary school in its district and top of cluster groups and other measurement devices.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibowEoxJKLds3f9pICtbXiSASKO0IvWYkfEwNmdo7K6ZySpEx6DsvHOMOEvRxNfj0TyFrPEZx2nZ_OuEmGDzR49OAWykYtQLC9dRW9ZRuOfqHOnyeTu8KdlzPd0V_AUGXlSnig9s-9sY2kYFWA5fPmxMCWVDWN_Hf7wGBXW2BmqvvLnOAuUZSR2W-3VQ/s2299/Sohm%20LBS%20school%20scorecard%202020-2021.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2299" data-original-width="1640" height="382" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibowEoxJKLds3f9pICtbXiSASKO0IvWYkfEwNmdo7K6ZySpEx6DsvHOMOEvRxNfj0TyFrPEZx2nZ_OuEmGDzR49OAWykYtQLC9dRW9ZRuOfqHOnyeTu8KdlzPd0V_AUGXlSnig9s-9sY2kYFWA5fPmxMCWVDWN_Hf7wGBXW2BmqvvLnOAuUZSR2W-3VQ/w272-h382/Sohm%20LBS%20school%20scorecard%202020-2021.jpg" width="272" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Impressive Lower Basic school "Scorecard"<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p>The senior school in the village of Sohm has been badly run for the last four years, and we have refused to work with a head whom we did not trust. He has now been replaced and the school is in the temporary charge of two long-serving deputies, with whom we have always had a very good relationship - Nicholas Mendy and Mama Gomez - see pictured below. We look forward to re-engagement with the school, staff and pupils.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvys9a3MR3cW9W4IyElBH6xWYMxrTLndnc37vU2TMq8sw5FTAdse3qB084TbqE72bI8SvEzu_8hkHsoZ0v07x8fqHnVp8kJPhh59XVWarSwoiAE9YhsmahAVTb_HgqkhBYPWpZXn7CBzu0mw5ysfiPCutBXCkZ1Ms5FQDkgN23NBAuRMuSKCduuA9Q0w/s640/Mama%20Gomez%20and%20Nicholas%20Mendy.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="307" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvys9a3MR3cW9W4IyElBH6xWYMxrTLndnc37vU2TMq8sw5FTAdse3qB084TbqE72bI8SvEzu_8hkHsoZ0v07x8fqHnVp8kJPhh59XVWarSwoiAE9YhsmahAVTb_HgqkhBYPWpZXn7CBzu0mw5ysfiPCutBXCkZ1Ms5FQDkgN23NBAuRMuSKCduuA9Q0w/w409-h307/Mama%20Gomez%20and%20Nicholas%20Mendy.jpg" width="409" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>New interim management at secondary school, Mama and Nicholas - back in safe hands</i><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p>The senior school has good facilities, many of which we, and our partners from the Jersey Gambia Schools Trust, have contributed to, over the years.</p><p></p><p>We are very pleased to say that the Education Regional Director, now he has replaced the former head, is determined to turn the senior school into a district school of excellence in science and technology (because it has good facilities, and a well educated intake).</p><p>The two schools in Sohm do, however, have teacher recruitment and retention difficulties; because they are in a relatively remote area, and the accommodation available to staff is poor. We are currently working with the Regional Director on submitting a bid to a significant Dutch charity, to create new teacher accommodation for upto 40 staff, in the village, in unused land and premises already owned by the ministry.</p><p style="margin-left: 40px; text-align: left;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX8QCddVlSBQowUN3K7zIHT1v0d60AkXHevP-kE4OO0jb040CeEDkwyULUG6OXJDwumvpLA96pVacfIzCcGOe7bjTeJ2mBoh9RpojXCx6H8g-zipItS6GXBkBLdidMYsvw7Ztd-yE9MM8am9DZzx5E4hCMuHCwpa7YdNTgQ7mHXzLwzq6eZhj5AdRcCw/s640/Potential%20staff%20accomm,%20Sohm%204%20-%20wind%20damage.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="333" data-original-width="640" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX8QCddVlSBQowUN3K7zIHT1v0d60AkXHevP-kE4OO0jb040CeEDkwyULUG6OXJDwumvpLA96pVacfIzCcGOe7bjTeJ2mBoh9RpojXCx6H8g-zipItS6GXBkBLdidMYsvw7Ztd-yE9MM8am9DZzx5E4hCMuHCwpa7YdNTgQ7mHXzLwzq6eZhj5AdRcCw/w461-h241/Potential%20staff%20accomm,%20Sohm%204%20-%20wind%20damage.jpg" width="461" /> </a></p><p style="margin-left: 40px; text-align: left;"><i>Potential location for new teaching accommodation - we're in talks! </i><br /></p><p>We'll let you know how we get on!</p><p><br /></p><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><p></p>John Walkerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07186291200017823878noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6148102787354552919.post-22930290429231643612021-10-27T15:30:00.001+01:002021-10-27T15:30:22.478+01:00Brilliant news!<p><span style="font-family: verdana;">The last 18-month COVID period has been difficult for us all, but SSS has been beavering away, quietly, trying to get resources to improve conditions in the Gambian schools we work with.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Funding for two of the largest projects we have ever worked on has finally been agreed over the last two weeks, and we are absolutely delighted.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">It is a fitting way to celebrate the tenth anniversary of our existence, coming up in January 2022.</span></p><p><b><span style="font-family: verdana;">Two huge projects</span></b></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">As we have reported on this blog before, we have spent the last two years putting together the finances for completely renovating one of The Gambia's largest Lower Basic (primary) schools - with over 2,000 pupils, in Sukuta.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Piecing together the funding for this has been tricky, but we now have in place the last part of the jigsaw that will allow us to proceed. The project will cost in excess of £30k, and is largely being funded by the Rotary Foundation.</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"> </span><span style="font-family: verdana;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHSBavFmNcpA33V8dtt_WJe_MbHcwXp4Mcj2DLw32l8Zt5o-78N8qBrhAHvmOAB-D-JZOI6H6VDk9j83rZIZB99SQG8oW1EOwSTOocirALUY23N3xzeBK1L_fAEveqV5vQhzm-MfBkNYW5/s387/9edf9dba46f2ea8b6121b7234f01e877.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="377" data-original-width="387" height="312" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHSBavFmNcpA33V8dtt_WJe_MbHcwXp4Mcj2DLw32l8Zt5o-78N8qBrhAHvmOAB-D-JZOI6H6VDk9j83rZIZB99SQG8oW1EOwSTOocirALUY23N3xzeBK1L_fAEveqV5vQhzm-MfBkNYW5/s320/9edf9dba46f2ea8b6121b7234f01e877.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">We have also been working with our Jersey colleagues in the Jersey Gambia Schools Trust (JGST), and the Jersey Overseas Aid department to put together a £12k project that will completely renovate the only building in Sohm Lower Basic school that we have not already improved over the last decade.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Funding for this has finally been agreed by all parties and construction contracts were signed in early October, with the target of begining work by the end of December. <br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>Sukuta funding </b><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">SSS's loyal band of regular supporters will be contributing over £12,000 to this (from money accumulated over the last 2/3 years) and Rotary the rest.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Rotary funding is coming from Redbridge Rotary club (John's own club), which is contributing £5k, with contributions from neighbouring clubs in London (Barkingside and Gants Hill), as well as from international sister clubs in Holland and Slovenia. In addition, the London District of Rotary is contributing $10k and the Rotary Foundation (based in Chicago) a further $8k.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">It has been time-consuming and tricky putting the project together, but just yesterday we got the final grant go-ahead and funding agreed.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">The project will mean that from early in the new year, our sister Rotary club, Brusubi, in The Gambia, will be able to oversee the construction of:</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Double the water tank capacity in the school</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXFISUSO6A70IlYmFS4b4tVznlQh73OsGZFvqxmrKImA44oalOZGxAsGglWQcqWHbkwwzMGIw4H-zOwRRwG79OcvnjsR2vSa8FmT7VTRgjBBQQC-SeG2KGeNCavxNy2af-o5Botd7tjzL7/s436/water%252B%2525282%252529.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="436" data-original-width="327" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXFISUSO6A70IlYmFS4b4tVznlQh73OsGZFvqxmrKImA44oalOZGxAsGglWQcqWHbkwwzMGIw4H-zOwRRwG79OcvnjsR2vSa8FmT7VTRgjBBQQC-SeG2KGeNCavxNy2af-o5Botd7tjzL7/s320/water%252B%2525282%252529.jpg" width="240" /></a></span> <br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Increase the number of water standpipes from one to 11, for the 2,000+ children</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"> </span><span style="font-family: verdana;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4tZfRz02Q1Wr59al5nuh4WKAzEHZ4usAzHpM0OMsHhad-CprIUXBzoP2tf56pdP7YXlEi3-HfGRJeCYrGdrChPviD_0q22_laDFllhl7OI5KHJ4uEbSBbYnUuysf5T6zuHks-EfZaTh8v/s416/IMG_0502.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="416" data-original-width="416" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4tZfRz02Q1Wr59al5nuh4WKAzEHZ4usAzHpM0OMsHhad-CprIUXBzoP2tf56pdP7YXlEi3-HfGRJeCYrGdrChPviD_0q22_laDFllhl7OI5KHJ4uEbSBbYnUuysf5T6zuHks-EfZaTh8v/s320/IMG_0502.JPG" width="320" /></a></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Completely renovate the unsafe and unhealthy toilets</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbQnnMDChNfb9zM21LRJU1CcmcPCwkw9Y8cnOJFfQxDFik3v3J23ZgEax9aajn7rAorKlYWqQ5t1YvFdp1DwscdRruJ93bFyt9bnxG5-fhPB8pjk_UO2YXA1OfKrMuBUdbq6vzr6QV4pYb/s352/0ca194c0-78dc-47f9-891b-d28adcce9c2a.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="352" data-original-width="264" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbQnnMDChNfb9zM21LRJU1CcmcPCwkw9Y8cnOJFfQxDFik3v3J23ZgEax9aajn7rAorKlYWqQ5t1YvFdp1DwscdRruJ93bFyt9bnxG5-fhPB8pjk_UO2YXA1OfKrMuBUdbq6vzr6QV4pYb/s320/0ca194c0-78dc-47f9-891b-d28adcce9c2a.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"> Build the school's first sick room</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdlZ7W5QGlglOAfjLxJcT5m4uQyh3cYvqc10PucTf_SDPKjZNgOuVowgz7pQqq6vWMXbwqZQgAHgFbFy1G1PgZJT9OJhOJo2oAmbSrrShFlznaiw08P1INCUX-5cJECTu30-osZ-y3HzkI/s480/IMG_0336.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="320" data-original-width="480" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdlZ7W5QGlglOAfjLxJcT5m4uQyh3cYvqc10PucTf_SDPKjZNgOuVowgz7pQqq6vWMXbwqZQgAHgFbFy1G1PgZJT9OJhOJo2oAmbSrrShFlznaiw08P1INCUX-5cJECTu30-osZ-y3HzkI/s320/IMG_0336.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"> Bring back into operation the termite-ridden library</span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_AyYbFPCIpvMO6E41CmhJBImKPGVI5nhottzWCytDhV951OwjodgL0Cv9QVyKwwchlxoBi0TuQSL3BIQV_cZHayGNJMnVy7xeXau8oj4J2r0rsPliNSay_J1yAWIF0NISg-qrpT1eRG2E/s432/Library%252B%2525285%252529.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="324" data-original-width="432" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_AyYbFPCIpvMO6E41CmhJBImKPGVI5nhottzWCytDhV951OwjodgL0Cv9QVyKwwchlxoBi0TuQSL3BIQV_cZHayGNJMnVy7xeXau8oj4J2r0rsPliNSay_J1yAWIF0NISg-qrpT1eRG2E/s320/Library%252B%2525285%252529.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">From the above to the below <br /></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI8bLYBsB15Ij1xn0CsvE9wL8thJO5ykz5dYh-9fr8mm_0Ng72t6T8nFVE8WZyA4Wy38Y_wMwlpc6oJz9Jki7bSo80y2cxH0OrqC3IXHof09a6UAyz2YyZ9VAvYz8Uvg6I6KyDbdRDpe-d/s451/IMG_0355.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="300" data-original-width="451" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI8bLYBsB15Ij1xn0CsvE9wL8thJO5ykz5dYh-9fr8mm_0Ng72t6T8nFVE8WZyA4Wy38Y_wMwlpc6oJz9Jki7bSo80y2cxH0OrqC3IXHof09a6UAyz2YyZ9VAvYz8Uvg6I6KyDbdRDpe-d/s320/IMG_0355.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Increase the size of the school's only computer room, so that all pupils will be able to receive weekly computer lessons. </span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVHLDfj470WDV8gnuXgf3pAkLCXjgBkqt7LTEzYdBjfH-iY50wHQL1DqQktRcGiFMS-iG7xMlXVxqSG2ix91JwR-SUpcjEVtzhKt7jhdgSO74ob66GcdM9gXnkasAMLLx_spWgwa7j8MQD/s526/computer%252Broom%252B%2525285%252529.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="394" data-original-width="526" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVHLDfj470WDV8gnuXgf3pAkLCXjgBkqt7LTEzYdBjfH-iY50wHQL1DqQktRcGiFMS-iG7xMlXVxqSG2ix91JwR-SUpcjEVtzhKt7jhdgSO74ob66GcdM9gXnkasAMLLx_spWgwa7j8MQD/s320/computer%252Broom%252B%2525285%252529.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Reduce overcrowding here, by extending, below</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkWtCttQjDmXXDgevQoyB3ZRqPZrVCcG2pYPCzB9yrQKO-xwit1Uohia8SZZ-WWEBRtX_bFQfGGeBN9PAjVGWtk6c-Or46_xzH9ezo7QoBei7lSpMQUmNgUwAmg9Uf-8lbQOsZe9yINSkG/s510/computer%252Broom%252B%2525286%252529.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="382" data-original-width="510" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkWtCttQjDmXXDgevQoyB3ZRqPZrVCcG2pYPCzB9yrQKO-xwit1Uohia8SZZ-WWEBRtX_bFQfGGeBN9PAjVGWtk6c-Or46_xzH9ezo7QoBei7lSpMQUmNgUwAmg9Uf-8lbQOsZe9yINSkG/s320/computer%252Broom%252B%2525286%252529.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"></span><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Provide a safe, clean and hygenic food serving area for school meals.</span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUzG_NezCMBKNbqP-CzShAt30tlgmDSQ1Duy5KuTyVZhL6_pulxzpDJYb8PFAUwGrqfh4TofDkDm0c94X6fL9298Tc0lOaoMJWFr7ZW_8k7wnPWKJoc-fc809nyt30FKSsMLJixGjdO-6G/s418/market%252B7.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="314" data-original-width="418" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUzG_NezCMBKNbqP-CzShAt30tlgmDSQ1Duy5KuTyVZhL6_pulxzpDJYb8PFAUwGrqfh4TofDkDm0c94X6fL9298Tc0lOaoMJWFr7ZW_8k7wnPWKJoc-fc809nyt30FKSsMLJixGjdO-6G/s320/market%252B7.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Replace this with a hygenic preparation and serving area<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">The lives of 2,000 Gambian primary school children will be transformed by these changes.</span></p><p><b><span style="font-family: verdana;">Last piece in Sohm restoration</span></b></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Over the years, we have: brought electricty to the Sohm Lower Basic school, improved the teachers' accommodation, brought back to operation an infested library, renovated the school's sick room, improved the toilets, refurbished one of only two teaching blocks and built a new multi-purpose hall.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">There is only one building within the school complex that we have not yet upgraded. Eighteen months ago, storm damage ripped off the roof of part of that teaching block. </span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7kgA1IOSaCIr8tsHbjKHgixyeJTFfu-GVf5ot24wJfwPTJMI7ndsqg7hiX10BUozdK03w_1uQbJb-hErsuehnWeTPqCF-WyGeaWFuesWbDy__QEdwa0i7wSsfGXdigI9MgTquMr-KEQ87/s1080/roof+down+2.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="809" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7kgA1IOSaCIr8tsHbjKHgixyeJTFfu-GVf5ot24wJfwPTJMI7ndsqg7hiX10BUozdK03w_1uQbJb-hErsuehnWeTPqCF-WyGeaWFuesWbDy__QEdwa0i7wSsfGXdigI9MgTquMr-KEQ87/s320/roof+down+2.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Last year's storm damage<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjtjYkjg-3XFz9IF2XVBTJCZx4pQLEAYSDO-9U2ibHu68evYO98dtyZiiosF9NZtnLDqV0EyLvVGS_4xbR7-oSEuI42Ttmf0-XEGIIAng6j1OuujT9NLamGV9815FtZpqxx3-yXFCl_fVW/s640/IMG_0857.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjtjYkjg-3XFz9IF2XVBTJCZx4pQLEAYSDO-9U2ibHu68evYO98dtyZiiosF9NZtnLDqV0EyLvVGS_4xbR7-oSEuI42Ttmf0-XEGIIAng6j1OuujT9NLamGV9815FtZpqxx3-yXFCl_fVW/s320/IMG_0857.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Next year's refurbished block!<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Together with our Jersey friends, we put together a plan to completely renovate the block, and have been able to identify funding from JGST, Jersey Overseas Aid and ourselves to pay for it. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Our contribution has been effectively funded by donations and fund-raising events organised by Sohm's twin school Beech Hill Community Primary school, in Luton. We are hugely appreciative of their efforts, without which this six-classroom block renovation could not take place.<br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">We hope construction can begin before the end of the calendar year.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">All in all - these have been two great weeks for SSS and for Gambian school children. </span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana;">We are delighted, but now, absolutely skint! </span></b></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">If you would like to help us fund further projects to advance the education of Gambian youngsters, please consider supporting us.</span><br /></p>John Walkerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07186291200017823878noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6148102787354552919.post-39161247646291300152021-07-12T16:54:00.003+01:002021-07-12T16:54:49.071+01:00School year ends in Sohm<p>Much of our attention this year has been spent in driving forward, with Rotary, the Sukuta school renovation project - about which more, later. </p><p>But we haven't forgotten our friends in Sohm, the first school with which we worked in The Gambia. Although, for COVID reasons, we were unable to visit the country this year, we have been able to make an impact, as a result of the generous donations we have received from our supporters and sponsors.</p><p>What follows is a brief summary of some of our impacts over the last twelve months. </p><p>We have assisted the school in getting anti-COVID supplies to it, including hand gels and a range of face masks and shields, as the photos below illustrate:</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhovXyVkCHIDYITH4z_2HQU2ufMrNi5PzVPg3oA7KfVEqwnYK7JjG_xO4T4UaQwD5zVLBoJi4nwcif3nZTFuhpBOg5kZ5p2SwibLy_QlTio3na5uhsdyct18wwhmk0cSwVfQSx-_6N_VmDW/s1080/covid+equipemnt+2021.JPG" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="809" data-original-width="1080" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhovXyVkCHIDYITH4z_2HQU2ufMrNi5PzVPg3oA7KfVEqwnYK7JjG_xO4T4UaQwD5zVLBoJi4nwcif3nZTFuhpBOg5kZ5p2SwibLy_QlTio3na5uhsdyct18wwhmk0cSwVfQSx-_6N_VmDW/s320/covid+equipemnt+2021.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOoOmOlGjpU2-qQR-KRci7L0r_KU9Gkz5ONhg0Vf4TYpZnPuDDMtgoCV28xFeZXp4TrgJY84b_Y7IwKLT0Y6jqKlERUJ_HoIQ4QJ3dMrUf9KZHB9S7zd2rDM5ns8EH4pNuuR39jxs5oTHg/s1080/Covid+masks+and+hand+spray+2021.JPG" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="809" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOoOmOlGjpU2-qQR-KRci7L0r_KU9Gkz5ONhg0Vf4TYpZnPuDDMtgoCV28xFeZXp4TrgJY84b_Y7IwKLT0Y6jqKlERUJ_HoIQ4QJ3dMrUf9KZHB9S7zd2rDM5ns8EH4pNuuR39jxs5oTHg/s320/Covid+masks+and+hand+spray+2021.JPG" /></a></div>
We supplied the staff with a new laptop computer, on which they have been able to keep the school's COVID records. Thankfully, there have been no incidents at the school.
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ0j_tfb4jUKvRJdYX9XNIBc1yCN-St1D7bLPcpFdjNOdi0kkW6_mWZs6goNNo8IlJEbhvQ8uj0aaKTTQNPf5kQHw_5obzINqBCpZg3H7jMZw_sq3gFEwESVBOYlAzVmkyKs6fFEOKg6Xa/s960/COVID+records+2021.JPG" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="544" data-original-width="960" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ0j_tfb4jUKvRJdYX9XNIBc1yCN-St1D7bLPcpFdjNOdi0kkW6_mWZs6goNNo8IlJEbhvQ8uj0aaKTTQNPf5kQHw_5obzINqBCpZg3H7jMZw_sq3gFEwESVBOYlAzVmkyKs6fFEOKg6Xa/s320/COVID+records+2021.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxDJEvHHpvvg4BYM9EYoFp97mu0-jIR9LtvxnOL7Mf95j8iRQaI9hJhvtQcVIze2V7NkVXp3G4e_cTp5mo8aZA3_rxCqQEHYt_VDljTAMc5OVsNYOYhTlAGjCrSMpR7GyJgFMQMQ3c8KpC/s960/New+PC+2021.JPG" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="544" data-original-width="960" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxDJEvHHpvvg4BYM9EYoFp97mu0-jIR9LtvxnOL7Mf95j8iRQaI9hJhvtQcVIze2V7NkVXp3G4e_cTp5mo8aZA3_rxCqQEHYt_VDljTAMc5OVsNYOYhTlAGjCrSMpR7GyJgFMQMQ3c8KpC/s320/New+PC+2021.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
We have maintained our annual stationery order to the school, whereby we are able to provide all materials the pupils and staff need for the whole academic year.
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib5kX6BUUGU_1B8v6pPP20brI7ErrOv_QZB4bluQtau8aBg9AOEAdxtiZGH0AhbL8b85WFDWlqnNt7B-jRELGe4I1XDEYYB-ECPj7EoE5HUEgKf6HAlIteKz8Uccg7xRGzlq3C9srtJuaW/s1080/stationery+order+1+2021.JPG" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="486" data-original-width="1080" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib5kX6BUUGU_1B8v6pPP20brI7ErrOv_QZB4bluQtau8aBg9AOEAdxtiZGH0AhbL8b85WFDWlqnNt7B-jRELGe4I1XDEYYB-ECPj7EoE5HUEgKf6HAlIteKz8Uccg7xRGzlq3C9srtJuaW/s320/stationery+order+1+2021.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvPlsoK45rKVhZ-CWIMLgmGuwxnULer-d8wSx-NGLQ6yaihqQ-NuqnAN-8lRdxDKjedA38r-4TqGg4X-uAs0UFLIAXoLlUwzdN9qZKhe1hRs_ELxBKvhq1NCoTfWTx9959_Tuu7M9K0JOt/s1080/stationery+order+2+2021.JPG" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="486" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvPlsoK45rKVhZ-CWIMLgmGuwxnULer-d8wSx-NGLQ6yaihqQ-NuqnAN-8lRdxDKjedA38r-4TqGg4X-uAs0UFLIAXoLlUwzdN9qZKhe1hRs_ELxBKvhq1NCoTfWTx9959_Tuu7M9K0JOt/s320/stationery+order+2+2021.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGfYgHkBFmBiBUfehRoAp6wogQsiL4LXJ8CxKS0Pb9-bIUZ2sV5X_c7OFKhccC-4dysMih3BXs1UEsrV2qfrnpbMxp36U4-ai6KRcaKGc0rHg1QCxmCxr5Z_gaAn3ZvC7UUXYV41KXY-mK/s1080/stationery+order+3+2021.JPG" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="486" data-original-width="1080" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGfYgHkBFmBiBUfehRoAp6wogQsiL4LXJ8CxKS0Pb9-bIUZ2sV5X_c7OFKhccC-4dysMih3BXs1UEsrV2qfrnpbMxp36U4-ai6KRcaKGc0rHg1QCxmCxr5Z_gaAn3ZvC7UUXYV41KXY-mK/s320/stationery+order+3+2021.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
We introduced electricity to the school about five years ago, and gave a commitment that we would pay the running costs(fortunately no heating bills to incur!). Here is a receipt, for about £9, for the quarterly charges, we have been happy to support.<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmF7xTBfANrCRtHhY8PcwvP5CFRMe-4fz-WJkxGz5in1vVYBbWQYG8ozmx3AQIeAOT9AY0LoUknSyjFLswvhVA2vpmAQ6b8MuDa9fZFerrgK3k8bdP9AtMZI66ZMI-L6S7Fi_3dLqQz-H2/s1024/Electricity+payment+2021.JPG" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="768" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmF7xTBfANrCRtHhY8PcwvP5CFRMe-4fz-WJkxGz5in1vVYBbWQYG8ozmx3AQIeAOT9AY0LoUknSyjFLswvhVA2vpmAQ6b8MuDa9fZFerrgK3k8bdP9AtMZI66ZMI-L6S7Fi_3dLqQz-H2/s320/Electricity+payment+2021.JPG" /></a></div>
Regular readers will know that our biggest project in Sohm, to date, has been the construction of a large, multi-purpose, assembly hall last year. We are delighted to report that it continues to be well used, both by the school and the local community. Below are photos of one of the regular assemblies and, excitingly for us, pictures from an inter-school debating contest the school was able to host in the hall, recently.
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaBRtJi5PDWBdntUwM50KgoTxdp0B2CXw5sGQGvMZy88R64fXde4amRZZc85HX5sPWLx7izEp1q3EeD49cvCFIm9vI769rb0lsidsuNrj8DmwFcMnspA903pZRh8uFDQ_anEnuGlxPkgAw/s1080/cd7f3827-3abd-4eb9-acbf-2e257723c885.JPG" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="486" data-original-width="1080" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaBRtJi5PDWBdntUwM50KgoTxdp0B2CXw5sGQGvMZy88R64fXde4amRZZc85HX5sPWLx7izEp1q3EeD49cvCFIm9vI769rb0lsidsuNrj8DmwFcMnspA903pZRh8uFDQ_anEnuGlxPkgAw/s320/cd7f3827-3abd-4eb9-acbf-2e257723c885.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1tpKIOjGyJBbwlqp2Tcq1u63MQtdWqnfuk2PdWz0wCdCxgSiwD05oKYznqudslw9BmkImIS8skmcRlAc4Q7up8g2kwPBwg7nGhzfxO6VwxCpah2sV9bQuvgtlBZtb_OBF6uk8XhC2iDdb/s1080/debate+2021.JPG" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="486" data-original-width="1080" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1tpKIOjGyJBbwlqp2Tcq1u63MQtdWqnfuk2PdWz0wCdCxgSiwD05oKYznqudslw9BmkImIS8skmcRlAc4Q7up8g2kwPBwg7nGhzfxO6VwxCpah2sV9bQuvgtlBZtb_OBF6uk8XhC2iDdb/s320/debate+2021.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSN-IorcmXBpz-PT0ZZU8o4TE2HkdtJ3izzlFUKwJ8MqLsUhpqdinY_4rNYLRfwzPcQbrmIsHEqe7RqDNa7qX8sHoPzR02NPD6FIeE0TFVcY0liVDX-i7qfE0srRc8us4k3OBgBLL2MYhY/s1080/Regular+assembies+in+hall.JPG" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="486" data-original-width="1080" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSN-IorcmXBpz-PT0ZZU8o4TE2HkdtJ3izzlFUKwJ8MqLsUhpqdinY_4rNYLRfwzPcQbrmIsHEqe7RqDNa7qX8sHoPzR02NPD6FIeE0TFVcY0liVDX-i7qfE0srRc8us4k3OBgBLL2MYhY/s320/Regular+assembies+in+hall.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><p>
The hall is the main community assembly room in the village of Sohm, and is used for a range of local events, such as the women's assembly shown below. We have encouraged the school to adopt a charging policy for these lettings and have offered to match fund the income they receive from the lettings, to supply enhancements to the hall and school. </p><p>As a result, we have been able to purchase an additional 100 chairs for the school, a PA system (which many of those letting the building have asked for) and some much needed ceiling fans for the hall. This great partnership working has improved facilities in the school and strengthened community relationships and ownership of the hall.
</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTeIiFOtD-QLo0riyFMR3lq2y96yS2JJjWfl-C44Th7Ex6gE9avbh0s13QIK-oVEbaYc8Y7TsU0_qhg1eic9yGQYiOUMg3ANzPM598bw0hSzHZpAsdiW41ixX7pmbkiM1U-r7nVBoV1Vh0/s1080/Ceiling+fans+2021.JPG" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="486" data-original-width="1080" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTeIiFOtD-QLo0riyFMR3lq2y96yS2JJjWfl-C44Th7Ex6gE9avbh0s13QIK-oVEbaYc8Y7TsU0_qhg1eic9yGQYiOUMg3ANzPM598bw0hSzHZpAsdiW41ixX7pmbkiM1U-r7nVBoV1Vh0/s320/Ceiling+fans+2021.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifgxsuqvQiZHAPUJZfHGlD9bNrDENI99qNVxfFZWidK5cyAlf_yMQBcCz_31FSASA_CJUvtivOwVmg66pNDx8mWA5FLQX0vpnoZ_JubtQ78FKEGFAxFZWj4tFqNNU7HzX07QFT9i2JgprS/s1080/Community+use+of+hall+2021.JPG" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="486" data-original-width="1080" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifgxsuqvQiZHAPUJZfHGlD9bNrDENI99qNVxfFZWidK5cyAlf_yMQBcCz_31FSASA_CJUvtivOwVmg66pNDx8mWA5FLQX0vpnoZ_JubtQ78FKEGFAxFZWj4tFqNNU7HzX07QFT9i2JgprS/s320/Community+use+of+hall+2021.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxeraXvvPZhgEL3fbtTCUTHn6AzDKoOsicKYW1MNCzyb2YW__AWFKjgTV1tB0bcV1p6GKcy_NfUZK3sSySGJ55qh6v3crg4nJOfwOjA_NfcMKlMMwKW0R49grWRsHBF-XsWNKQqbqxPOJ5/s1080/PA+system+2021.JPG" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="486" data-original-width="1080" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxeraXvvPZhgEL3fbtTCUTHn6AzDKoOsicKYW1MNCzyb2YW__AWFKjgTV1tB0bcV1p6GKcy_NfUZK3sSySGJ55qh6v3crg4nJOfwOjA_NfcMKlMMwKW0R49grWRsHBF-XsWNKQqbqxPOJ5/s320/PA+system+2021.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
From the UK, we have maintained our relationship with fellow British charity First Aid 4 Gambia and have ensured that there has been further first aid training and supplies given to the school. Many thanks to our Scottish friends for this. In the spirit of improving first aid facilities, we have also upgraded the beds in the sick room, which we restored a few years ago.<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfSKLnbJX8fTIm3EfEeUV07gyoOK-yen2pRqU22X57ufOUy8sZWYTZoxaxfnEEAkVfBgXdJzF619JhzOg9wOAyOWhVPuysJINtlDIXb2unevYsCdH6aE0Jepi6NV3-DC0ocRsvucpmHSgI/s1080/First+aid+2+2021.JPG" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="809" data-original-width="1080" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfSKLnbJX8fTIm3EfEeUV07gyoOK-yen2pRqU22X57ufOUy8sZWYTZoxaxfnEEAkVfBgXdJzF619JhzOg9wOAyOWhVPuysJINtlDIXb2unevYsCdH6aE0Jepi6NV3-DC0ocRsvucpmHSgI/s320/First+aid+2+2021.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3z1RT5ZKnuP-u_yphI_sK5zDKm1MN5MYkE2YugxeA_0P7X35S_J54OVPzjQzRV4KacGxJ-uXtN1mLP4caJfCEVsAaMcioX3nY-MywpUCnkrV60iwOdE9JjV71XKRrPu3lxkYQGre_ZYSS/s1080/First+Aid+2021.JPG" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="809" data-original-width="1080" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3z1RT5ZKnuP-u_yphI_sK5zDKm1MN5MYkE2YugxeA_0P7X35S_J54OVPzjQzRV4KacGxJ-uXtN1mLP4caJfCEVsAaMcioX3nY-MywpUCnkrV60iwOdE9JjV71XKRrPu3lxkYQGre_ZYSS/s320/First+Aid+2021.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOa1L_pCSqSopKYDJoaC4FPdrZp2BeePMlGFTRRY_ZvJMGwVU8XejTEb89DbKjpT91AjFwXc5DJcUoWLtlFKvfK3lFkvBK0HEXIv4UNWaX9VhvtSp1eR0kM-eo0s6j4z6e3B0NziLEnq8t/s1080/new+beds+2021.JPG" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="809" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOa1L_pCSqSopKYDJoaC4FPdrZp2BeePMlGFTRRY_ZvJMGwVU8XejTEb89DbKjpT91AjFwXc5DJcUoWLtlFKvfK3lFkvBK0HEXIv4UNWaX9VhvtSp1eR0kM-eo0s6j4z6e3B0NziLEnq8t/s320/new+beds+2021.JPG" /></a></div><p>
So, it's been a difficult year, because of COVID, but we feel that - even at a distance - we have been able to continue our support to the Lower Basic school in Sohm, thanks to the continued generosity of our family, friends and supporters. On behalf of the children in Sohm, we would like to say a very large Thank You to you all! </p><p>Meanwhile, our major pre-occupation this year has been progressing the Sukuta project, which, with great Rotary assistance, we are attempting to oversee a major renovation of the Sukuta Lower Basic school. It has over 2,000 children and is the country's largest primary. </p><p>There has been a slight delay in progressing this, as the Rotary annual budget for supporting projects such as ours was exhausted earlier than expected this year. However, the new Rotary year began on 1 July and we were encouraged to make a grant application for this new year. Which we have done! </p><p>Without wishing to sound too confident, we look forward to being able to announce significant progress with the project within a month or two. </p><p>Thank you for reading. Your continued support is important to us, and is vital to Gambian youngsters.
</p>John Walkerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07186291200017823878noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6148102787354552919.post-2129269511568528412021-03-19T15:09:00.000+00:002021-03-19T15:09:31.809+00:00Rotary and Sukuta<p><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">There are
almost daily reports in the UK press about how charities have suffered financially
during the COVID pandemic, as funds have dried up and donors cut back.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>SSS, in its own small way, has been no
different. School lockdowns have meant we have lost our largest single source
of income this year, the fund-raising efforts of the ever-generous Beech Hill
school in Luton. Some of our biggest backers have either cut back or diverted
their funds to perhaps more pressing problems during the year.</span></span></p><span style="font-family: verdana;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">But, to the
rescue has come Rotary International!</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> </span></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwrPdRhuGuK_odpvgj0C5EXu0R4h8whdfmxmCzs4pJk5BAtM4Sbvnz_2FLC_deXwyl4O2GyUG21AXPXzi9inUstpEeKBCK7LMXN8rG1wPa-KMGssOwywyL1Cxi7-zW10cbszskj6-RL0-V/s840/9edf9dba46f2ea8b6121b7234f01e877.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="819" data-original-width="840" height="377" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwrPdRhuGuK_odpvgj0C5EXu0R4h8whdfmxmCzs4pJk5BAtM4Sbvnz_2FLC_deXwyl4O2GyUG21AXPXzi9inUstpEeKBCK7LMXN8rG1wPa-KMGssOwywyL1Cxi7-zW10cbszskj6-RL0-V/w387-h377/9edf9dba46f2ea8b6121b7234f01e877.jpg" width="387" /> </a></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: verdana;">Rotary - inspirers and principal funders of the Sukuta project </span></i><br /></p><span style="font-family: verdana;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">The Rotary
Club of Redbridge has been a regular supporter of SSS over the last four or
five years, and clearly liked what they have seen in terms of feedback and the
evidence of generous donations being put to good and effective use.</span></span></p><span style="font-family: verdana;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">John of SSS
became a member about eighteen months ago and the club has encouraged us to
spread our wings within the Rotary family in seeking support for our efforts with
Gambian education.</span></span></p><span style="font-family: verdana;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">As
mentioned in the previous two posts, we have addressed most of the major
infrastructure challenges that required fixing at the Sohm primary school (electrifying
the school, upgrading the staff quarters, renovating the toilets, regenerating the
school’s library, increasing the water supply and access, revamping a sick
room, refurbishing a six-classroom block and finally building a brand new
multi-purpose hall).</span></span></p><span style="font-family: verdana;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Our key
contact at Sohm, deputy head, Lamin Saidy had been transferred to a similar
post in the country’s largest primary school, in Sukuta – essentially a suburb
of the country’s biggest urban sprawl, Serekunda – where he found similar
problems of infrastructure neglect.</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> </span></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFnF4Xq4fTJZN5ihNvYlr6oZGfKYlYHK4AWsILC09vkpmqQ50PU9nIlDObhp62f4-GsG80v5wkdKTSyT8KmoG-dh3pBj6F_tQpNou6cCZm5L4LuwvLrDb3sBdF1qhIbixZKqh-km8uJz9p/s2048/IMG_3143.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2024" height="399" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFnF4Xq4fTJZN5ihNvYlr6oZGfKYlYHK4AWsILC09vkpmqQ50PU9nIlDObhp62f4-GsG80v5wkdKTSyT8KmoG-dh3pBj6F_tQpNou6cCZm5L4LuwvLrDb3sBdF1qhIbixZKqh-km8uJz9p/w394-h399/IMG_3143.JPG" width="394" /> </a></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: verdana;">Lamin Saidy - Sukuta's deputy head - acknowledging the role Rotary played in helping to transform Sohm Lower Basic School </span></i><br /></p><span style="font-family: verdana;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Together,
and with the encouragement of the school’s leadership, staff, PTA governors and
local education director, we put together an ambitious nine-point plan, spelled
out in the previous post:</span></span></p><span style="font-family: verdana;">
</span><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-language-override: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Double
water tank capacity</span></span></p><span style="font-family: verdana;">
</span><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-language-override: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Greatly
increase the number of water supply standpipes</span></span></p><span style="font-family: verdana;">
</span><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-language-override: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Renovate
unhealthy toilets</span></span></p><span style="font-family: verdana;">
</span><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-language-override: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Build
the school’s first sick room</span></span></p><span style="font-family: verdana;">
</span><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-language-override: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Bring
the dilapidated library back into use</span></span></p><span style="font-family: verdana;">
</span><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-language-override: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Build
a covered area for food suppliers</span></span></p><span style="font-family: verdana;">
</span><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-language-override: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Increase
the size of the school’s computer room</span></span></p><span style="font-family: verdana;">
</span><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-language-override: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span><i><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Restore the out-of-bounds school hall, and</span></i></span></p><span style="font-family: verdana;">
</span><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-language-override: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span><i><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Create the school’s first staff room</span></i></span></p><span style="font-family: verdana;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Rotary
International is a huge organisation, dedicated to charity, with clubs in
almost all countries world-wide. Each club is semi-autonomous in terms of fund-raising
activity and charity giving; but the collective efforts of Rotary have been
amazing.</span></span></p><span style="font-family: verdana;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">We have
constructed a complex structure of mainly Rotary-based funding arrangements that
will finance most of the £60,000 required to pay for the Sukuta project,
transforming The Gambia’s largest primary school into one that is
fit-for-purpose in facing the challenges of the 2020s.</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> </span></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4EG2YIbws75WaN5CF_UowMu7hB_w6jJ914KED25tRl-ZS0WU3W4_EmKttl8SoKD96qGpkgq5OS414QCYVjC7R32PYNMonHLbe2J2mdOZUND0jqX-7v55mOvdqwCIUVwE8NMlRolZTjSCP/s1080/Parents+meeting+3.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="810" data-original-width="1080" height="317" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4EG2YIbws75WaN5CF_UowMu7hB_w6jJ914KED25tRl-ZS0WU3W4_EmKttl8SoKD96qGpkgq5OS414QCYVjC7R32PYNMonHLbe2J2mdOZUND0jqX-7v55mOvdqwCIUVwE8NMlRolZTjSCP/w422-h317/Parents+meeting+3.jpg" width="422" /> </a></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: verdana;">The PTA meets and enthusiatically endorses all elements of the Sukuta renovation project - including the proposal to restore the old school hall (as yet unfunded) - so that their future meetings can be held inside! </span></i><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Sohm School
Support is contributing £10,000 to the funding of the Sukuta project. Redbridge
Rotary is adding a further £5,000. The London District of Rotary is
contributing $10,000 (US). Redbrige has a neighbouring club, Barkingside which
is generously contributing to the project and it is twinned with clubs in Holland and
Slovenia who are also adding upto 1,000 Euros each.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Based on this network of support, we currently
have a grant application to Rotary International for a global grant of a further
$10,000.</span></span></p><span style="font-family: verdana;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">In order to
be eligible for the Global Grant we have had to enlist local (to The Gambia)
support. So, the Gambian Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education (MoBSE) is
contributing the reconstruction of the school toilets as its contribution (see
photo). And the Rotary Club of Brusubi (about 10 miles from Sukuta school) will
becoming the local managing agents for the project.</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixaLwEiEuKFArv55v9q0wD7AMp6CbjHaf0NJmVwfPtGntzyfWJUb1DgiSFdBKsHn0bv0TTSmWBTToKilVR9Pqa4U36yoeEVJeKE3cuAmKranvNrJX8Qdinj0Bb8qhJO4S_L8gDpUlIzFpl/s1080/Toilet+construction+Feb+2021+%25282%2529.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="810" data-original-width="1080" height="347" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixaLwEiEuKFArv55v9q0wD7AMp6CbjHaf0NJmVwfPtGntzyfWJUb1DgiSFdBKsHn0bv0TTSmWBTToKilVR9Pqa4U36yoeEVJeKE3cuAmKranvNrJX8Qdinj0Bb8qhJO4S_L8gDpUlIzFpl/w462-h347/Toilet+construction+Feb+2021+%25282%2529.JPG" width="462" /></a> </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><i>New toilets are under construction - the Gambian government's contribution to the Sukuta renovation project</i><br /></span></span></p><span style="font-family: verdana;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">If we are
successful with our Global Grant application, we hope to begin the major
renovation project as the school breaks up for the summer holidays, so the bulk
of the most disruptive work can be undertaken when the children are not
present. We anticipate everything being finished within one school year.</span></span></p><span style="font-family: verdana;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">We are
confident of the plans, because, as explained previously, we will be getting
the band back together for construction purposes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It will be the same people – school deputy
head, Lamin and contractor, Future in Our Hands – who have worked so successfully
in Sohm with us over the years, who will be delivering in Sukuta, overseen and
prompted by the support and attention of the local Rotary club.</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> </span></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib8IbCn2X7MwplCO921fZDFmvMqJy8oBrKuWotaTl6p7UhRgRCPlLkdKtwn9IHu354gWc7CLaRBqbQ_8r2FBqClv24uxyKQB_m87bFNDOM7knE-F6EQ2lBIRMuMle5_FSP43rwNzMYqRjM/s448/diverse-bilder-384.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="336" data-original-width="448" height="341" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib8IbCn2X7MwplCO921fZDFmvMqJy8oBrKuWotaTl6p7UhRgRCPlLkdKtwn9IHu354gWc7CLaRBqbQ_8r2FBqClv24uxyKQB_m87bFNDOM7knE-F6EQ2lBIRMuMle5_FSP43rwNzMYqRjM/w455-h341/diverse-bilder-384.jpg" width="455" /> </a></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: verdana;">Offices of Future in Our Hands - the not-for-profit building contractors who will undertake the construction work </span></i><br /></p><span style="font-family: verdana;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">So, the old
team – ex-Sohmites – will deliver on a project overwhelmingly funded by the new
team – Rotary International. The Rotary contribution is quite incredible,
involving the generosity of clubs from four nations (England, the Gambia,
Slovenia and Holland), together with the transglobal Rotary International, in oreder to transform the educational prospects for children in one of Africa's poorest countries.</span></span></p><span style="font-family: verdana;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">We hope to
have full funding in place to start the project in July so that seven of the
nine sub-projects can be delivered over the following twelve months. The final two (italicized in the list
above: school hall and staff room), however, are currently unfunded.</span></span></p><span style="font-family: verdana;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">It is our
aim to raise the £12,000 required for these two elements within the next year, so that the entire nine-aspect renovation project can be completed
within one calendar year of having the construction workers on site.</span></span></p><span style="font-family: verdana;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Your
support would, as ever, be most welcome.</span></span></p><span style="font-family: verdana;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Next
edition in two weeks: Not forgetting Sohm!</span></span></p><span style="font-family: verdana;">
</span><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"> </span></p><br />John Walkerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07186291200017823878noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6148102787354552919.post-22299751847206878942021-03-05T14:11:00.000+00:002021-03-05T14:11:33.777+00:00What the Sukuta project involves<div><p><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="macro"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="toa heading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Bullet"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Number"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Bullet 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Bullet 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Bullet 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Bullet 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Number 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Number 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Number 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Number 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Closing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Signature"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text Indent"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Message Header"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Salutation"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Date"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text First Indent"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text First Indent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Note Heading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text Indent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text Indent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Block Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Hyperlink"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="FollowedHyperlink"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Document Map"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Plain Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="E-mail Signature"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Top of Form"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Bottom of Form"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Normal (Web)"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Acronym"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Address"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Cite"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Code"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Definition"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Keyboard"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Preformatted"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Sample"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Typewriter"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Variable"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Normal Table"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="annotation subject"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="No List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Outline List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Outline List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Outline List 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Simple 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Simple 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Simple 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Colorful 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Colorful 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Colorful 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table 3D effects 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table 3D effects 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table 3D effects 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Contemporary"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Elegant"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Professional"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Subtle 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Subtle 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Web 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Web 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Web 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Balloon Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Theme"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" QFormat="true"
Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" QFormat="true"
Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" QFormat="true"
Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" QFormat="true"
Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" QFormat="true"
Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" QFormat="true"
Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="41" Name="Plain Table 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="42" Name="Plain Table 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="43" Name="Plain Table 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="44" Name="Plain Table 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="45" Name="Plain Table 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="40" Name="Grid Table Light"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46" Name="Grid Table 1 Light"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51" Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52" Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46" Name="List Table 1 Light"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4"/>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Our previous article, below, gave the background to how SSS became involved with,
and is fronting, the renovation of the largest Lower Basic (primary) school –
Sukuta – in The Gambia. This blog focuses on what the plans are, and what we
hope to deliver within eighteen months.</span></span></p><span style="font-family: verdana;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Based on
discussions with the school leadership and the regional director of education,
we drew up a list of the priorities that would renovate the school and make it fit for the 2020s. These are:</span></span></p><span style="font-family: verdana;">
</span><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin-left: 40px; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-align: center; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-language-override: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"><b> </b></span></span></span><b><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">We will double
the school's water storage capacity via solar-power</span></b></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-align: center; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> </span></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMqv2DwZ2m2ES3HBeXT5joAA3dVrv1-VWUUJwJ46RWiKO7p3N6nu_crBVCKceQ7O_4_kKxVYcC8oSQVkPrn15zGZrdltiI53rzkutWuw2mLHcVuIpU444uJYdGD-FHZ3fGEPurundkYRlD/s640/water+%25282%2529.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="436" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMqv2DwZ2m2ES3HBeXT5joAA3dVrv1-VWUUJwJ46RWiKO7p3N6nu_crBVCKceQ7O_4_kKxVYcC8oSQVkPrn15zGZrdltiI53rzkutWuw2mLHcVuIpU444uJYdGD-FHZ3fGEPurundkYRlD/w327-h436/water+%25282%2529.jpg" width="327" /> </a></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-align: center; text-indent: -18pt;"><i><span style="font-family: verdana;">There is no piped water at the school. The supply comes from a well, it is too small. We will double its capacity.</span></i><br /></p><span style="font-family: verdana;">
</span><br /></div><div style="margin-left: 40px; text-align: center;"><div style="margin-left: 80px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">As a rseult, we will increase
the number of water standpipes from one to eight, locating them next to
toilets, the food serving area and sick room</span></b></span></div></div><div style="margin-left: 40px; text-align: left;"><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-align: center; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> </span></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgROdPniDnyBnrvwqQCwkgkaGy4TCApy61jZnkS8mm06Beh549EHM2kk3u_GCnXtajc3W0Cx0gyrjJ0H6Nvi2kUgqiH6QIgCuf8po9EEgz1Doqenl7opin5yeYSZC5J6VZeiXc2EPOyUGAM/s2048/IMG_0502.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="416" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgROdPniDnyBnrvwqQCwkgkaGy4TCApy61jZnkS8mm06Beh549EHM2kk3u_GCnXtajc3W0Cx0gyrjJ0H6Nvi2kUgqiH6QIgCuf8po9EEgz1Doqenl7opin5yeYSZC5J6VZeiXc2EPOyUGAM/w416-h416/IMG_0502.JPG" width="416" /> </a></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-align: center; text-indent: -18pt;"><i><span style="font-family: verdana;">There is currently only one standpipe in the school, to serve 2,000 children. We will be increase this to eight, placing them near toilets, food serving areas and the new sick room </span></i><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> </span></b></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-align: center; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">We will completely
rebuild the unhealthy and unsafe toilet blocks</span></b></span></p></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> </span></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVQsWJcWSgcgx624MCXwT2XQOF990WtlcThBM19axdUEntvDbWxeriIY2ifVnMAEfx3ATXwuvo8BkvWXuUuZ8vGakWnE3r7Wnxjk9DfPqr4tDrQ4NRUUDCWrwDFJk1fcQa00EJppbqWrIL/s1080/0ca194c0-78dc-47f9-891b-d28adcce9c2a.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="809" height="352" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVQsWJcWSgcgx624MCXwT2XQOF990WtlcThBM19axdUEntvDbWxeriIY2ifVnMAEfx3ATXwuvo8BkvWXuUuZ8vGakWnE3r7Wnxjk9DfPqr4tDrQ4NRUUDCWrwDFJk1fcQa00EJppbqWrIL/w264-h352/0ca194c0-78dc-47f9-891b-d28adcce9c2a.JPG" width="264" /> </a></span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: verdana;">The toilets at the school are unsafe, insanitary and unhygenic. The Sukuta renovation project will rectify this. </span></i><br /></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> </span></span><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;">
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">We will build and furnish the school’s first sick room, training staff in first aid skills </span></span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> </span></span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> </span></span></b><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAIYfxmnQY4Pjp93q2IoMXWMdWBY7IReCKqrc_vQL1clmh1Gb7nr5MCWcOKniadqB6HCa6TdG5uKSGvhWdKO12MDWmd3FVEtrFfbp8lgRtgqv3uB7GCYUn2v1073awkgywVsZcPFWuE3yi/s640/sick+room.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="312" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAIYfxmnQY4Pjp93q2IoMXWMdWBY7IReCKqrc_vQL1clmh1Gb7nr5MCWcOKniadqB6HCa6TdG5uKSGvhWdKO12MDWmd3FVEtrFfbp8lgRtgqv3uB7GCYUn2v1073awkgywVsZcPFWuE3yi/w415-h312/sick+room.jpg" width="415" /> </a></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><i>There is no sick room for 2,000 students at Sukuta, but there is a space just ready to install one! </i><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> </span></span></b></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"></span></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> </span></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJZ903yCdpR33Pdg-ZGmW5Ht1_O6BmroIYQzZUcXuqM0GzcMNmTfSTKBNeeNhjhPhxofWn26gQcun0tj7uNxLwMZFaAefL-mvb9A682Gp0DZ2A6lmwbqanXeYr38u0kVGwj8dyCKxHLz49/s2048/IMG_0336.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJZ903yCdpR33Pdg-ZGmW5Ht1_O6BmroIYQzZUcXuqM0GzcMNmTfSTKBNeeNhjhPhxofWn26gQcun0tj7uNxLwMZFaAefL-mvb9A682Gp0DZ2A6lmwbqanXeYr38u0kVGwj8dyCKxHLz49/w480-h320/IMG_0336.JPG" width="480" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> <i>This is the sick room we resored in Sohm. We plan to build and equip a facility like this in Sukuta, for the first time.</i></span></span><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> </span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> </span></span></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">We will restore the school's termite-ridden and unusable library<br /></span></span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> </span></span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> </span></span></b><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnBKG0YkBiNt_0HToxHvyaZHV8AECQdSkebrrvpR6HHJVhPpkbgQ0Sz2EO3h4zTnVlKxJaVcd57MHOM6ZAihBUd_hECpSv0C5UcW6U3L0_eo1vojmiOQIwy__I-KedUO7S3cbRU7wGj4NP/s640/Library+%25285%2529.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="324" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnBKG0YkBiNt_0HToxHvyaZHV8AECQdSkebrrvpR6HHJVhPpkbgQ0Sz2EO3h4zTnVlKxJaVcd57MHOM6ZAihBUd_hECpSv0C5UcW6U3L0_eo1vojmiOQIwy__I-KedUO7S3cbRU7wGj4NP/w432-h324/Library+%25285%2529.jpg" width="432" /> </a></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><i>Infested and unusable library in Sukuta - 2,000 students denied access </i></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><i> </i></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><i><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglYWKhLujh1hRwxQkrYw2sg2po2HZsQ8u_k3UxobVACFriwdYotFsbJKgeHmwX3gQAeVj7RPwSNKJetuNxF2m6SvViMYbPaH9RNtR9jxz1N5BZQJeB9cBDmizt4cQMEa_3OBR0lVToI0Ye/s2048/IMG_0355.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" height="301" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglYWKhLujh1hRwxQkrYw2sg2po2HZsQ8u_k3UxobVACFriwdYotFsbJKgeHmwX3gQAeVj7RPwSNKJetuNxF2m6SvViMYbPaH9RNtR9jxz1N5BZQJeB9cBDmizt4cQMEa_3OBR0lVToI0Ye/w451-h301/IMG_0355.JPG" width="451" /> </a></span></span></i></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><i><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> The library in Sohm was in a similar position, before we restored it. We will repeat this in Sukuta </span></span> <br /></i></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> </span></span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">We will extend the schools inadequate
computer room<br /></span></span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><br /></span></span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> </span></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP7ju5GMgYA2xt8JGvzcUqDiFuJRDEfSSIGcqzq56rbsHTU_AluIKwN3anBiRf4Cxm2CqOc9TBk2Ig4-F5BiZ28iWKCX_Qo8NpYhYqRV_RJtlMgJq73ffOT7nHCLp0wDYhrpqvSOfwUYvG/s640/computer+room+%25285%2529.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="395" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP7ju5GMgYA2xt8JGvzcUqDiFuJRDEfSSIGcqzq56rbsHTU_AluIKwN3anBiRf4Cxm2CqOc9TBk2Ig4-F5BiZ28iWKCX_Qo8NpYhYqRV_RJtlMgJq73ffOT7nHCLp0wDYhrpqvSOfwUYvG/w526-h395/computer+room+%25285%2529.jpg" width="526" /> </a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: verdana;">The computer room is well equipped, but too small for all pupils to gain access each week </span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: verdana;"> </span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: verdana;"> </span></i><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh40_XW9lVra74ZAWCmBlzuku2-4EesEoB8DUTeegcyWTyEOr9uJnm3q2Xt3sD0YL9fGOcPs_6I4QDEfW07IxtdrtkLgBE7EY5hjNVV4QBjVphYcnMg5JVXQqstO0UjXSJH6x6P42obw1qK/s640/computer+room+%25286%2529.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="383" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh40_XW9lVra74ZAWCmBlzuku2-4EesEoB8DUTeegcyWTyEOr9uJnm3q2Xt3sD0YL9fGOcPs_6I4QDEfW07IxtdrtkLgBE7EY5hjNVV4QBjVphYcnMg5JVXQqstO0UjXSJH6x6P42obw1qK/w510-h383/computer+room+%25286%2529.jpg" width="510" /> </a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><i>We will extend it to the pillars. The photo shows builders in discussion with school staff and education director </i></span><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> </span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> </span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><b>We will give the providers of school meals shelter and water</b><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> </span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Children
get their lunch-time meals from (overwhelmingly female) vendors who sell very
basic (bread or rice-based) food in the school grounds. There is no adequate
shelter for either the women or the food and no running water to use
in its preparation or for the children to wash.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Sheltered accommodation, with a water supply, will be provided for the
women and children.</span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> </span></span></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: verdana;"><i><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCxkELKC7BpnYi8IVr9nfDqnh5T5BcuCZI7Pj4tGMo8bKzUv-vIgaRDZN08TT-SBE-lABxTDuuchWJH9-an2a9KQHJzu31IjftFG-BEV1IYxoozWXBJYFn0M8nkRcHCSNgK0JhbO1CtDi9/s1080/market+7.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="809" data-original-width="1080" height="314" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCxkELKC7BpnYi8IVr9nfDqnh5T5BcuCZI7Pj4tGMo8bKzUv-vIgaRDZN08TT-SBE-lABxTDuuchWJH9-an2a9KQHJzu31IjftFG-BEV1IYxoozWXBJYFn0M8nkRcHCSNgK0JhbO1CtDi9/w418-h314/market+7.JPG" width="418" /></a></i></span><span style="font-family: verdana;">
</span></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><i><b><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Our funding
proposals to date, will pay for all of the above </span></span></b></i></p><span style="font-family: verdana;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">There are,
however, two outstanding elements of the nine-part project for which funding
has yet to be identified.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We will seek the money
this over the next few months, so that all aspects of
the project can be completed in one construction exercise. The unfunded elements
are:</span></span></p><span style="font-family: verdana;">
</span><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Refurbish
and make fit-for-purpose the existing, but unfit, school hall</span></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> </span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> </span></span><br /></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> </span></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg6QaACwaoKHyO3Xlfi-6fW7eEt8AstnDZjdeTXjJG31FXln39FAFpqJoAHXw6rJIrIiD7UA5lHQcBgbEfJbNeuT5tLqWu6RkezUihdOtpzdWVgj4TWPvSySsUYcWQMzIwSPOfIofVjg3Q/s640/Hall+%25285%2529.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="330" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg6QaACwaoKHyO3Xlfi-6fW7eEt8AstnDZjdeTXjJG31FXln39FAFpqJoAHXw6rJIrIiD7UA5lHQcBgbEfJbNeuT5tLqWu6RkezUihdOtpzdWVgj4TWPvSySsUYcWQMzIwSPOfIofVjg3Q/w440-h330/Hall+%25285%2529.jpg" width="440" /> </a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><i>This is the dilapidated school hall, which is out of commission. We hope to be able to fund its restoration </i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><i> </i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><i> </i></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxxGbL_tpsUjbAhUaY3yOeuwJhx8cvRLMngdwOHwit7KS8K8Hs81ew70bmv7Jj7RdFNFM23rcgG-hkCUsr-ynLkXqR2r4uQT8c2j6WmJsoeOlpS2CWjGUV11JmyFpGUhafjHW6g-ChEKAH/s1080/Parents+meeting+3.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="810" data-original-width="1080" height="339" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxxGbL_tpsUjbAhUaY3yOeuwJhx8cvRLMngdwOHwit7KS8K8Hs81ew70bmv7Jj7RdFNFM23rcgG-hkCUsr-ynLkXqR2r4uQT8c2j6WmJsoeOlpS2CWjGUV11JmyFpGUhafjHW6g-ChEKAH/w452-h339/Parents+meeting+3.jpg" width="452" /> </a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><i>Because there is no hall, all large meetings take place outside. This is a meeting of the PTA, convened to consult on the school renovation project.</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><i> </i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><i> </i></span><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-kjN8SEsM06h__J6syjqvVQnoriN8itD9eAsoe7krJpCgDvx-V8X6P3B-mlcJK8L7TTXUTyP1sMhosnXZ_9nA5_vb_pD4p0_8esl8mXJU6BtWEsjtbHNhUcMUP0-NE-oEyD2qftQ_jA0V/s640/IMG_1020.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="339" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-kjN8SEsM06h__J6syjqvVQnoriN8itD9eAsoe7krJpCgDvx-V8X6P3B-mlcJK8L7TTXUTyP1sMhosnXZ_9nA5_vb_pD4p0_8esl8mXJU6BtWEsjtbHNhUcMUP0-NE-oEyD2qftQ_jA0V/w451-h339/IMG_1020.jpg" width="451" /></a></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><i> This is the hall we built in Sohm, that now acts as an assembly hall, gym, meeting centre, performance area, prayer room and the main village hall</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><i> </i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana;">Establish the school's first staff room </span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana;"> </span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnPbs78NjHh5l_kHDBUfbXKGjJJqhchOjC6Q4psSJoRiZxa-ow0mggZy7zkUrKi0IDfh-yFkxiaBEx3J7SSgtxR-QsVwakN6NWXsebZBKOaJAUtoQfVHNsLHZzDA12xPKmNX8hV3ZsooSw/s640/Potential+staff+room.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="343" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnPbs78NjHh5l_kHDBUfbXKGjJJqhchOjC6Q4psSJoRiZxa-ow0mggZy7zkUrKi0IDfh-yFkxiaBEx3J7SSgtxR-QsVwakN6NWXsebZBKOaJAUtoQfVHNsLHZzDA12xPKmNX8hV3ZsooSw/w456-h343/Potential+staff+room.jpg" width="456" /> </a></span></span></span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">There is a disused classroom and storage area that with a little adaptation could be transformed into the school's first staffroom, for its 70 plus teaching staff. It is our aim to fund this </span></span></span></i><b><span style="font-family: verdana;"> <br /></span></b></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;">
</span><span style="font-family: verdana;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">All of our proposals have been put to the Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education,
the school’s governors and its PTA, and they have been enthusiastically
endorsed. The food vendors have been consulted and are delighted by them and will be involved in their design and layout of their new area.</span></span></p><span style="font-family: verdana;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Getting
the band back together</span></b></span></p><span style="font-family: verdana;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Having defined
the scope of the project, we obtained quotes from the construction company-
Future in Our Hands - that we have worked with successfully in a variety of
building projects in Sohm. It began as a Swedish NGO dedicated to training
Gambian people in construction skills. It has gradually emerged to become a
building company, jointly Swedish and Gambian managed, that operates almost
exclusively in the not-for-profit sector, with an on-going commitment to train
local labour in building skills.</span></span></p><span style="font-family: verdana;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">In all of
our dealings with them, to date, they have provided a high standard of work, to
spec, on time and on budget.</span></span></p><span style="font-family: verdana;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">We are
confident that working with Lamin Saidy, the former deputy head at Sohm and now
at Sukuta and the construction company that delivered in Sohm that we will be
getting the band back together to deliver the renovation of The Gambia’s
largest primary school, over the next eighteen months.</span></span></p><span style="font-family: verdana;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">The third
article of this three-parter on Sukuta, to appear in two weeks, will explain
how we have managed to fund this major and exciting project.</span></span></p><span style="font-family: verdana;">
</span><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"> </span></p></div>John Walkerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07186291200017823878noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6148102787354552919.post-47677499752418381092021-02-19T17:15:00.000+00:002021-02-19T17:15:24.868+00:00Next: renovating the Gambia’s largest primary school!<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">A couple of
years ago we had raised the funds to commission our most ambitious project in Sohm,
the building of the new school hall, and felt that once it was complete, we
could switch off our charity’s fund-raising engine, take the hand break off and
slowly cruise down-hill in future years at the Lower Basic school. </span></span></p><span style="font-family: verdana;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">And so, on
time, budget and target, a year later, the multi-function hall (assembly, gym,
dining room, prayer room, village meeting room etc.) was opened, with much
local fanfare and celebration. We felt very pleased – bordering on smug - at
the achievement.</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> </span></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnCfq21UsL4-aDd4Y2c4zFgElko3IdtjGv19OvJEDzLI2prXuKf2qTYRkXmhwjpd1mmxSSS-qnFcKg80SxMe1fxYbK25iRcpLtPICLyaqpq_rd74No0_c79MzP4MOukVrRTcLXVfGW5rf3/s640/IMG_1075.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="387" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnCfq21UsL4-aDd4Y2c4zFgElko3IdtjGv19OvJEDzLI2prXuKf2qTYRkXmhwjpd1mmxSSS-qnFcKg80SxMe1fxYbK25iRcpLtPICLyaqpq_rd74No0_c79MzP4MOukVrRTcLXVfGW5rf3/w516-h387/IMG_1075.jpg" width="516" /> </a></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><i>New hall at Sohm - ourmost successful project - to date! </i></span><br /></p><span style="font-family: verdana;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">But
something was missing. It was our key contact at the school, with whom we had
worked successfully on all of our other projects over the years: bringing
electricity to the school, renovating the teachers’ accommodation, rebuilding
dangerous and unhealthy toilets, restoring a library made unusable by the
ravages of termites, renovating a broken six-classroom block, adding water
standpipes, building a new sick room and providing PCs and stationery each year
etc.</span></span></p><span style="font-family: verdana;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Lamin
Saidy, the ever-reliable, unassuming but determined deputy head teacher and
rock upon which our efforts had depended was not there to celebrate the hall
opening, because he was busy in his new job. The Gambian education authorities
had spotted his talents and transferred him to become deputy head teacher in
the country’s largest primary school – with over 2,000 pupils. It was a great
move for Lamin: promotion and fresh challenges in a less isolated location.</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> </span></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIl5j5lhORkp0JR1vXDeQxGf-KYJGhj2Hoyi8L1eJtM2ba8Nyx9RMz_IIhpZ-4EPuRsYnJ1Q3OeSH5DU53YHCYGmFwLIL3eS0u-uIfEbONsjZJZuystXiTd6LYDIFrsN7GgbRehXGAr7U3/s2048/IMG_3143.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2024" height="376" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIl5j5lhORkp0JR1vXDeQxGf-KYJGhj2Hoyi8L1eJtM2ba8Nyx9RMz_IIhpZ-4EPuRsYnJ1Q3OeSH5DU53YHCYGmFwLIL3eS0u-uIfEbONsjZJZuystXiTd6LYDIFrsN7GgbRehXGAr7U3/w371-h376/IMG_3143.JPG" width="371" /> </a></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: verdana;">Lamin Saidy, ex-deputy head at Sohm, now at Sukuta </span></i><br /></p><span style="font-family: verdana;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">But it wasn’t
all positive. He must have groaned when he saw the state of the place. Like
Sohm Lower Basic, his new school in Sukuta was about forty years old and had
suffered neglect, due to lack of funding from incompetent/corrupt governments
for most of that period. The same deficiencies were obvious: insufficient water
storage and standpipes, dangerously unhealthy toilets, a lack of safe eating
area for children’s lunches, a library made inoperable because of termite
attacks and cramped accommodation. </span></span></p><span style="font-family: verdana;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">In some
ways it was worse. There was no sick room in a school with 2,000 youngsters,
many of whom were undernourished and would suffer fainting episodes in the
sweltering heat, others who faced regular bouts of malaria, older girls with
nowhere to go when menstruating for the first time. Never mind the lack of
facilities to deal with the scrapes, cuts and bruises that would attend normal
playground accidents for any large group of children aged 4 – 12.</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> </span></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj99T5hDzM9miYH12rrtgeYnFptydIIFO59-QFYvOjpvkatmpg24PveJi7tr6s_gh-zIwI31L7msDvS_DzUWZ10kH8h-81kU2WLWP2_0PRW2Bm2vT3_0QukkSCGnqSgAZ_NgwhCqIPC4Zem/s640/sick+room.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="390" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj99T5hDzM9miYH12rrtgeYnFptydIIFO59-QFYvOjpvkatmpg24PveJi7tr6s_gh-zIwI31L7msDvS_DzUWZ10kH8h-81kU2WLWP2_0PRW2Bm2vT3_0QukkSCGnqSgAZ_NgwhCqIPC4Zem/w520-h390/sick+room.jpg" width="520" /> </a></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: verdana;">No sick room at Sukuta - but there is a space crying out for one to be built in it! </span></i><br /></p><span style="font-family: verdana;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">The school
hall was structurally damaged and out of bounds and there was no hygienic area
in which to serve school meals, nor a staff room for a school with over 70
staff. The school was lucky in some respects, another UK charity had supplied
it with a number of perfectly serviceable computers, but the only secure and
relatively dust-free room was too small to accommodate them all. Children
missed out on ICT lessons, not through lack of equipment, but due to a lack of
appropriate accommodation.</span></span></p><span style="font-family: verdana;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">To be fair
to the new (three years old) government in The Gambia, they have begun to
address the infrastructural neglect of the country’s education system. But they
face a dilemma with an inevitably limited budget: repair the damaged buildings
of the past, or build for the future? The country, in common with most of
Africa, has a young population with an ever-increasing demand for school
places. The government cannot afford to both renovate and build for the future.
For wholly understandable reasons, they have largely embarked on the latter. So
long-time neglect will continue to be evident, as priority spending is focused
on the new build.</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> </span></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbiMHBd6ExqNx7BKPxC8qO3PJyqNHpqIxyRC6A3yTPDHprBlmdkfXytmRcELFAAf2qh_2s7u3uIJrd9-zZqTtDhrT_aynuq1oPlc1dw538liPdNy9U-PqjCy8h_7bpE9kIm2u8Dh-XO1iy/s640/water.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="407" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbiMHBd6ExqNx7BKPxC8qO3PJyqNHpqIxyRC6A3yTPDHprBlmdkfXytmRcELFAAf2qh_2s7u3uIJrd9-zZqTtDhrT_aynuq1oPlc1dw538liPdNy9U-PqjCy8h_7bpE9kIm2u8Dh-XO1iy/w543-h407/water.jpg" width="543" /> </a></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><i>Dilemma for government: restore old facilities, like damaged water suppy (foreground), or build for future with new classrooms (background)? </i></span><br /></p><span style="font-family: verdana;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">We visited
Lamin in his new school and he and the head gave us a guided tour. It was déjà
vu on the dilapidation front and almost dispiriting.</span></span></p><span style="font-family: verdana;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Back in the
UK, almost out of the blue, Rotarian friends of ours began to sow seeds. Why
not apply to Rotary international, and see if funds can be forthcoming to help
at Sukuta?</span></span></p><span style="font-family: verdana;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">The seeds
germinated during the lock-down period of COVID – in The Gambia and UK - and a
year later the first signs of healthy growth are evident, as we embark on a
complete renovation of the largest primary school in The Gambia – at a cost of
£60,000!</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> </span></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHO03z7TsCV27c6VMcsg3Ub7z5cLPWMYudMUkWxTEeW0jP6jrHBQc0_y27g3cbbQDGM-IucX-578n8WZonWfpHjMRAaMrce8sZy06-cEzhEgWggKdBNfTBcKhA3UozUkIxb7tNPQdJPU39/s640/Library+%25285%2529.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="405" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHO03z7TsCV27c6VMcsg3Ub7z5cLPWMYudMUkWxTEeW0jP6jrHBQc0_y27g3cbbQDGM-IucX-578n8WZonWfpHjMRAaMrce8sZy06-cEzhEgWggKdBNfTBcKhA3UozUkIxb7tNPQdJPU39/w540-h405/Library+%25285%2529.jpg" width="540" /> </a></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: verdana;">The only library in the school of 2,000 pupils is out of use because of termite infestation </span></i><br /></p><span style="font-family: verdana;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Most of the
pieces of the financial and organisational jigsaw are in now in place as we
hope to launch the project in the summer and complete the transformation of the
school within twelve months.</span></span></p><span style="font-family: verdana;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">To return
to the motoring metaphor, the fund-raising engine has been re-ignited and we
have embarked on a long journey with a few bumps on the way.</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> </span></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbC8VfVF0iflSOygjDlPbJ5fYkz65IU4-3CzVIxwlMLDd4t67Uqx0PwABtncurGx5cbM94gk623cR2GOZfdy2psFivEX6xAGlyPJb9C15E6gDsTeWUvaCxxoxNhfjA7Ovfcn6wbIfK_lNq/s640/Vendors%2527+store+%25282%2529.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="390" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbC8VfVF0iflSOygjDlPbJ5fYkz65IU4-3CzVIxwlMLDd4t67Uqx0PwABtncurGx5cbM94gk623cR2GOZfdy2psFivEX6xAGlyPJb9C15E6gDsTeWUvaCxxoxNhfjA7Ovfcn6wbIfK_lNq/w520-h390/Vendors%2527+store+%25282%2529.jpg" width="520" /> </a></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: verdana;">School lunches provided by local women from stalls without access to water or shelter - breeds disease </span></i><br /></p><span style="font-family: verdana;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">This is the
first of three fortnightly blogs on the Sukuta project – so watch out for
further installments explaining what the project involves and how we have
arranged (most of!) the funding for it.</span></span></p><span style="font-family: verdana;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">And
finally, in this mini-series, we will provide a fourth blog: “Not forgetting
Sohm”, explaining how we have continued to support the Lower Basic School in
the village that first inspired the establishment of our charity.</span></span></p><span style="font-family: verdana;">
</span><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"> </span></p>John Walkerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07186291200017823878noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6148102787354552919.post-27432607952049374402020-11-05T21:23:00.003+00:002020-11-05T21:23:29.515+00:00Schools' back for winter<p>S<span style="font-family: verdana;">chools in the Gambia returned 10 days ago after a lock-down in the country endured since March. And we, and they, have been very busy since!</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">First, a bit of bad news - but don't give up, the rest of the newsletter is very positive!</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Summer in The Gambia is the rainy season, with torrential rainfall, often lasting many days. So, not surpringly, there are not many tourists (even in a good year) from May till September. This year's season was particularly savage, and it found a victim in the Sohm Lower Basic school. The sick room which many of you generously contributed towards refurbishing three years ago, had its roof blown off one night, and rendered unusable. Everything in it was destroyed - and the photo below shows why.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsVYZ8SvBxedJYylqMZ14d8bTyre0OQkTloH3ZhXK90A6zWeb-qgAYBDYtKRJudILyQPWuJpi2dBpkw8X6P2iMXcfmZ0RZSzM36NY8p1Gr1cDWjti4dGDG13peuMqg7ggM7q1bizdNJIQv/s1080/roof+down+1.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="809" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsVYZ8SvBxedJYylqMZ14d8bTyre0OQkTloH3ZhXK90A6zWeb-qgAYBDYtKRJudILyQPWuJpi2dBpkw8X6P2iMXcfmZ0RZSzM36NY8p1Gr1cDWjti4dGDG13peuMqg7ggM7q1bizdNJIQv/w300-h400/roof+down+1.JPG" width="300" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: verdana;">Storm damage to sick room </span></i><br /></div><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">We are seeking quotes not just for its refurbishment, but for that of the whole block in which it sits. All being well, we and our partners from Jersey are hoping to find funding for it, so that we can refurb the whole block next summer.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">In the meantime, we will be using the deputy head's office (sorry Mamodou!) as an interim measure and we bought a new bed for the room last week - see photo.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Our friends from First Aid 4 Gambia (FA4G) have been good enough to replace the wrecked first aid supplies. So, bad as the storm damage was, we have been able to salvage a temporay solution and hopefully a longer term benefit from the wreckage.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiwmm_UK3wF-t4AqKWYuvPbMtNJhWYnDRZgdUUqiPK1GMVdlXBJ1rXm3jDrfTaGajIiOf-pP7IYp1oank8gZKkBqHOTTgv_-G0qdx3VcapmkLawrgt3vLnjcZqcKXTBQVT59xZyL8-aN94/s1080/bed+1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="809" data-original-width="1080" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiwmm_UK3wF-t4AqKWYuvPbMtNJhWYnDRZgdUUqiPK1GMVdlXBJ1rXm3jDrfTaGajIiOf-pP7IYp1oank8gZKkBqHOTTgv_-G0qdx3VcapmkLawrgt3vLnjcZqcKXTBQVT59xZyL8-aN94/w400-h300/bed+1.jpg" width="400" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: verdana;">New bed in its temporary home </span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: verdana;">- the deputy head's former office!</span></i><br /></div><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">As we said in our last newsletter in September, The Gambia has been relatively lightly hit by COVID (nationally, only 120 registered COVID-related deaths in total over the 8 months). The country has been very strict on preventative measures - schools closed, full lockdowns, night-time curfews etc. The government, nervously, sanctioned the return of schools after what was both the English and Gambian half term, last week.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Social distancing is strictly adhered to in the country, and is maintained as the children have returned to school - see below. </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU3ak7ZQKETiOyadBQUfoUx8A-ZwDX09cqMxTNo53VOYxVW2Uol2aOeKv8m8zfNasqfMXU172FLZH6CX1dOW1VqfBi2v1A5ULnOOGLnKskdPxoF9HlTtxZ0aM8kJ1lMCarjvkJg_pQmtJr/s1080/socially+distanced+kids+5.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="809" data-original-width="1080" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU3ak7ZQKETiOyadBQUfoUx8A-ZwDX09cqMxTNo53VOYxVW2Uol2aOeKv8m8zfNasqfMXU172FLZH6CX1dOW1VqfBi2v1A5ULnOOGLnKskdPxoF9HlTtxZ0aM8kJ1lMCarjvkJg_pQmtJr/w400-h300/socially+distanced+kids+5.jpg" width="400" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: verdana;">Pupils observing social distancing on return from lockdown </span></i><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2Y3hQhONU1s2tqy4e4b3aZLSvDWsk-59CQSiFCEVYe4P2Mqw3CjnN1AYubg4lUfUQwdv5zWHkt6APKd6o7CEVD91o2YINY0G9hCcafh72z_rGTujtw73jbBj1akMZCtUX7hmWzcmyLPc-/s1080/staff+with+masks+6.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="809" data-original-width="1080" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2Y3hQhONU1s2tqy4e4b3aZLSvDWsk-59CQSiFCEVYe4P2Mqw3CjnN1AYubg4lUfUQwdv5zWHkt6APKd6o7CEVD91o2YINY0G9hCcafh72z_rGTujtw73jbBj1akMZCtUX7hmWzcmyLPc-/w400-h300/staff+with+masks+6.JPG" width="400" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: verdana;">Staff observing social distancing on return from lockdown </span></i><br /></div><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Our good friends from First Aid 4 Gambia were able to get a consignment of hand sanitiser and visors to the country, and we were able to purchase a small quanity, at cost, for use in the school. Thanks to an anonymous donor for funding this and to FA4G for letting us have the supplies.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJodg6NK6SOz2AaRmtoGPVj-0YM6bKXnc_gR4V9PEyMwtJxGg9GRFVzHodMMJXvHfL2dZrr8_W6a3nGXFd72SYJ5IFsFp_talHRBWypEoaMzVSKZ5jqSJOzxThB7_CuT20lRgi4087VNHZ/s1080/Kids+with+visers+and+sanitisers+1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="809" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJodg6NK6SOz2AaRmtoGPVj-0YM6bKXnc_gR4V9PEyMwtJxGg9GRFVzHodMMJXvHfL2dZrr8_W6a3nGXFd72SYJ5IFsFp_talHRBWypEoaMzVSKZ5jqSJOzxThB7_CuT20lRgi4087VNHZ/w300-h400/Kids+with+visers+and+sanitisers+1.jpg" width="300" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: verdana;">Pupils modelling visors, masks and hand sanitiser,</span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: verdana;"> supplied by our friends at First Aid 4 Gambia </span></i><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxjHyHvZRv_ZKPu9bhBpw2_hUDC76ECJ2aM4-m_MjiUBNjXuJORfq7LzmgqSbrYT0BIgsveFUPLkhzTlrKvSuSxDzLXSVW0ZH1Vq8hyphenhyphenVHTjmXVf1VN6EfrkyIxpq7qMEqKybBj1vyyUCxE/s1080/staff+with+vizers+1+%25282%2529.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="809" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxjHyHvZRv_ZKPu9bhBpw2_hUDC76ECJ2aM4-m_MjiUBNjXuJORfq7LzmgqSbrYT0BIgsveFUPLkhzTlrKvSuSxDzLXSVW0ZH1Vq8hyphenhyphenVHTjmXVf1VN6EfrkyIxpq7qMEqKybBj1vyyUCxE/w300-h400/staff+with+vizers+1+%25282%2529.JPG" width="300" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: verdana;">Head and deputy head wearing FA4G-supplied visors </span></i><br /></div><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Meanwhile, the Scottish-based FA4G are trialling a new training course, and such is our close relationship with them that they chose Sohm Lower Basic to launch it on Monday.The photos we have been sent are very gratifying. You will note that it took place in the shiny new hall we opened in January, with the chairs that so many of you funded, stacked and moved out of the way for the course!<br /></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtIN0LD0aXvcAJzspCNQ1p19liJn05ZLGLxkgWW_vBBGRkSOc9VmRq-27facUPGHo9fjjtK6jtWNi6S9onLf8FYZ57M8DP60Q3RauUGKC9GKAkOi0IMxTUtHM4T6ovguLLdp1fY9UmwXI-/s1080/First+aid+training+13.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="809" data-original-width="1080" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtIN0LD0aXvcAJzspCNQ1p19liJn05ZLGLxkgWW_vBBGRkSOc9VmRq-27facUPGHo9fjjtK6jtWNi6S9onLf8FYZ57M8DP60Q3RauUGKC9GKAkOi0IMxTUtHM4T6ovguLLdp1fY9UmwXI-/w400-h300/First+aid+training+13.jpg" width="400" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: verdana;">Trainer demonstrating CPR on the course</span></i><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjephjiMwCXn5HOEeiHcjePH9zZatCMraTvDmnQ6N7tWNNnUAvuQed8xqdKfJWZeVQfhyphenhyphenyYVbAVzdsoncopBHN4oCbEWBTA4H1RZLC5OheRL4g63r4MEJbsoIiSVw8JTXKmK8wnhm8cDxYD/s1440/First+aid+training+1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="1080" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjephjiMwCXn5HOEeiHcjePH9zZatCMraTvDmnQ6N7tWNNnUAvuQed8xqdKfJWZeVQfhyphenhyphenyYVbAVzdsoncopBHN4oCbEWBTA4H1RZLC5OheRL4g63r4MEJbsoIiSVw8JTXKmK8wnhm8cDxYD/w300-h400/First+aid+training+1.jpg" width="300" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: verdana;">Staff practising CPR on the course <br /></span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: verdana;"> </span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg7QbT1cqa-bjeWDu9mCKqfdcCa56qjDaoQEUj1u5nxmkF8AVSlfJ5ixLIVjvW8P2h4obq1BugNwqQpmpePx-_g6fOGptSmCDTPXR2ZawS2qqv8lUnAUKWR6ckuRwCdUpux-PRWgkEUmpY/s1440/First+aid+training+10.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="1080" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg7QbT1cqa-bjeWDu9mCKqfdcCa56qjDaoQEUj1u5nxmkF8AVSlfJ5ixLIVjvW8P2h4obq1BugNwqQpmpePx-_g6fOGptSmCDTPXR2ZawS2qqv8lUnAUKWR6ckuRwCdUpux-PRWgkEUmpY/w300-h400/First+aid+training+10.jpg" width="300" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: verdana;">Never too young to learn - one of the teachers </span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: verdana;">takes her youngster with her to the course! </span></i><span style="font-family: verdana;"> <br /></span></div><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">The school staff are delighted, all passed the course and they remain the most medically-qualified people in the village!</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSFYeSmV-nPEmmdItJFJfrXbchhXiOV2sjAZoq-Wg-T-Vx5XURSrHP3iAb4P74SYqTx8lT0eUa-rRSCALAzQgP6S9aR7gCdyVuQlssWIH4sRnes1O6RLzdiHbLpu9S8JWrkKEAM5zz92-E/s1080/awards+2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="809" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSFYeSmV-nPEmmdItJFJfrXbchhXiOV2sjAZoq-Wg-T-Vx5XURSrHP3iAb4P74SYqTx8lT0eUa-rRSCALAzQgP6S9aR7gCdyVuQlssWIH4sRnes1O6RLzdiHbLpu9S8JWrkKEAM5zz92-E/w300-h400/awards+2.jpg" width="300" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: verdana;">Certificate awarded for passing course </span></i><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfIaG2qcONMNBmJP1Zf6VC0MsyCzBIooxRGMUTalfB0JbkW0zmfOKeOSMTvWerzOl5oy8dZ3YZdn7xa2LtBoNpsQhgd6RapaBtV1fTiimTW7PG38hye_RNS58pA8uOJIbTf7iaO68sNnLt/s1080/awards+1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="810" data-original-width="1080" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfIaG2qcONMNBmJP1Zf6VC0MsyCzBIooxRGMUTalfB0JbkW0zmfOKeOSMTvWerzOl5oy8dZ3YZdn7xa2LtBoNpsQhgd6RapaBtV1fTiimTW7PG38hye_RNS58pA8uOJIbTf7iaO68sNnLt/w400-h300/awards+1.jpg" width="400" /> </a></div><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"> </span><i><span style="font-family: verdana;">All sixteen attendees displaying thier</span></i><i><span style="font-family: verdana;"> certificates of First Aid competence </span></i><br /></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"> </span><b><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Huge project on the horizon</span></span></b></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Lamin Saidy, the former deputy-head of Sohm Lower Basic school, with whom we have worked so closely to deliver so much at the school was, unsurprisingly, promoted last summer to become deputy head at Sukuta Lower Basic school. This is the largest primary school in the country - with 2,000 pupils. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Following 40- years of neglect at the school, during most of which time the former president had some difficulty in distinguishing between his back-pocket and the schools' refurbishment budget, precsiely the same issues have emerged at the school as we found when we first got involved with Sohm. He found: a poor water supply, insanitary toilets, lack of a serviceable hall, no first aid room etc.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">He, I and the building contractor we used in Sohm put together a detailed spec and estimate for carrying out the necessary work. I was on the point of returning to The Gambia in the first week of April on a fact-finding mission with some key Rotary International officials. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">We had lined up meetings with the permanent secretary at the ministry of education, the regional education director, three Gambian rotary clubs, trips to the schools (Sukuta and Sohm - the latter to see what we had done, at a similar price), with a view to applying for a large Rotary International grant.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">The COVID lockdown intervened, just a week before we were due to fly out. The initiative was put on the back burner. It is now being revived and strengthened by the fact that my local Rotary club in London (Redbridge) has twinned with a club in Slovenia, who wish to be involved. So, we are gradually knitting together a truly international team which, hopefully, can do in a year for a school five times larger than Sohm, what it has taken us five years to achieve in Sohm. Watch this space for updates!<br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Wish us well! Beware - a begging bowl may come out soon, to help fund the project!</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">We hope this newsletter finds you as well as it leaves us, as this dreadful pandemic drags on without apparent end in sight.</span><br /></p>John Walkerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07186291200017823878noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6148102787354552919.post-89788454563965779362020-09-11T21:05:00.004+01:002020-09-11T21:08:41.520+01:00Sohm schools and COVID<p></p><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">It's September and the schools are returning in England, rather gingerly. So, what, we are often asked, is happening in Sohm?</span></span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Like the UK, The Gambia went into lockdown in March, and all schools were closed - but they have yet to open again.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">The pandemic seems to have hit the country less badly than most others. Until about a month ago there had only been two recorded deaths, nation-wide and the infection rate seemed to be low.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">The government publishes a simple daily summary of the situation with regard to COVID, like today's - below. It is easy to see what is happening, at-a-glance, and we have heard no suggestion from anybody that the government is lying, or making claims and promises it can't keep.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"> </span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE_az1A7GBph5fI1iNgGPYms_exP2TqFG9s9tNdqBlHrj571pP7HTwSTiKP6OGvecqL0bKcnOz135PflaQtjBHwt_aGPSncARsqYWvNuk-0FPrkbVh0UbPoXOhzgaGL40dxvK7qXHES22G/s640/thumbnail.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE_az1A7GBph5fI1iNgGPYms_exP2TqFG9s9tNdqBlHrj571pP7HTwSTiKP6OGvecqL0bKcnOz135PflaQtjBHwt_aGPSncARsqYWvNuk-0FPrkbVh0UbPoXOhzgaGL40dxvK7qXHES22G/w400-h300/thumbnail.jpg" width="400" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>The Gambian government's simple daily message on COVID - not "World Beating", not "Moonshoting", but simple, honest and clear </i><br /></div><p><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">A little over a month ago, there was a sudden surge of deaths and the total number shot up rather rapidly, from two to the seventies. The government responded by extending the lockdown and introducing a dusk til dawn curfew. The death rate began to drop quite dramatically and there have only been two deaths in the last week.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Which is great news! Because the medical infrastructure in the country is fragile and it could not cope with a large infection rate.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">To put the total Gambian death figure into context, we live in a London borough with one sixth the population of the whole of The Gambia, but we have experienced over three times the total number of deaths - suggesting that things in London have been 18 times worse than The Gambian's situation.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Which brings us back to The Gambian schools. They should be on the point of re-opening, but they will not be doing so. The government is working on a number of options - one is to open schools six days a week, for extended days, with all pupils attending on alternate days. There are a number of problems, of course - not the least the impact this would have on the teachers. </span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Gambian TV and radio have been used as teaching substitutes over the last six months, but few families - particularly in Sohm have TVs. And, obviously it would be counter-productive if people without TVs crammed into the houses of people with them. The education situation is far from ideal.<br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">When we visited the country, pre-lock-down, in January we took a gift from the wonderfully supportive Redbridge Rotary Club. A fellow Rotarian, from Australia, had developed/invented a simple device called a Spa-Tap, as an aid to personal hygiene. Redbridge Rotary purchased a number of these and we took 30 to The Gambia with us.</span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKyr2GtQvsi_oGJJ6ixOoRSOy3Tua2RtAkZXCFAMdcRFc22tmdy41WgZ94mHOEmmk9FTpT_47Vp47ztZ5YX_-vQ_LhOXwsVudm6rFBeMpiJ6kF95dsMbMyCD7MCSjLTXb-zUvoGNuq6bmG/s100/SpaTap-blue-100x100.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="100" data-original-width="100" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKyr2GtQvsi_oGJJ6ixOoRSOy3Tua2RtAkZXCFAMdcRFc22tmdy41WgZ94mHOEmmk9FTpT_47Vp47ztZ5YX_-vQ_LhOXwsVudm6rFBeMpiJ6kF95dsMbMyCD7MCSjLTXb-zUvoGNuq6bmG/w320-h320/SpaTap-blue-100x100.jpg" title="A Spa Tap unit" width="320" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>A Spa Tap device </i><br /></div><p><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">it's a simple tough plastic valve that can be attached to a 2-litre water bottle, filled with tap water. Easily-applied pressure opens and closes the valve to allow water to flow, which can be used for hand washing and even showers. </span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">We took them to two schools, so that the bottles could be filled from stand-pumps and students, on a "monitor" basis, could take them to the toilets - where there is no running water, to enable users to wash their hands after visting the facility.</span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnGePGBF-up1dkgNQKZwwxR5GNysZnT5q88oS4KdTCauSyxpOOJKi2vSk_TD6GAoITw19-FCcrxcO15WxmTTlfVBG_l-GC20zvxXelN_cHMmEmcfhyphenhyphenGdq63ElXy5YFCA6CAR4t1EjfDKLG/s853/thumbnail+2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="853" data-original-width="640" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnGePGBF-up1dkgNQKZwwxR5GNysZnT5q88oS4KdTCauSyxpOOJKi2vSk_TD6GAoITw19-FCcrxcO15WxmTTlfVBG_l-GC20zvxXelN_cHMmEmcfhyphenhyphenGdq63ElXy5YFCA6CAR4t1EjfDKLG/w300-h400/thumbnail+2.jpg" width="300" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Collecting empty bottles for Spa taps </i><br /></div><p><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Little did we know that hand-washing would attract so much attention and exhaltation just a month later, when COVID first entered our conciousness.</span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTTX3KrLvA_Pe-WRxv7krP8bDI38kk1m7eF9oLPPaEQiarDe_IDJhlaEMlZGS5vw9L1BLh1-gnMJMwfp4tjB3oxaiuc1-PT8w7TPCDh6aWFj6W9xvw3poDjVvMDyIdGI0nZNQT1JKunc7Q/s640/thumbnail+3.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTTX3KrLvA_Pe-WRxv7krP8bDI38kk1m7eF9oLPPaEQiarDe_IDJhlaEMlZGS5vw9L1BLh1-gnMJMwfp4tjB3oxaiuc1-PT8w7TPCDh6aWFj6W9xvw3poDjVvMDyIdGI0nZNQT1JKunc7Q/w400-h300/thumbnail+3.jpg" width="400" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>The regional director of education, headmaster and his deputy and a local Iman giving their backing to the Spa Tap </i><br /></div><p><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">We hope the Redbrige-Rotary funded 30 taps have done their bit to keep COVID at bay in Sohm! </span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-f6Ii-oYV74qtae-l1OVYhQj15P4W7UpEH-9S8-pj9wVb04dANSm6zwxLg3waz7dqyzoe5XH6H7QdNdpF0NlfoSPMU1hOAZOF9UaIkzWvLecqP4Gf4UK-BxpgYZRyYetHSeCPfoVM1FmB/s853/thumbnail+1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="853" data-original-width="640" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-f6Ii-oYV74qtae-l1OVYhQj15P4W7UpEH-9S8-pj9wVb04dANSm6zwxLg3waz7dqyzoe5XH6H7QdNdpF0NlfoSPMU1hOAZOF9UaIkzWvLecqP4Gf4UK-BxpgYZRyYetHSeCPfoVM1FmB/w300-h400/thumbnail+1.jpg" width="300" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>And the kids get a look in too - including two rather large ones from the UK! </i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana;">And finally - the good news!</span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"> </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">One piece of very good news on the health front concerns Robin Mallet, founder, with his wife Carol, of our Jersey-based partners in The Gambia - The Jersey Gambia Schools Trust. Last November he was diagnosed with tounge and throat cancer. Now - after nine months of surgery and intensive treatment - he has been declared cancer-free. He can't wait to get his sleeves rolled up and to be back in action on bealf of the children of Sohm. Well done, Robin!</span><br /></div><p><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"> </span></span></p>John Walkerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07186291200017823878noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6148102787354552919.post-25465586597859115482020-02-20T12:25:00.001+00:002020-02-20T12:26:21.897+00:00Sohm 2020 project completed!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizT1TOrzqIL8Se6lSQFckvQKZx1WUWWdhPzIUHh8iBVXo0SNx5-swmzetHsh3XEcWV-5GcDdvVgfzzjk_zthRvM6RwjIx78WwdEYMxMkZld1UoHFrIaWE4PEH56N3D-ZPkgROhNX9ucIGx/s1600/IMG_0810.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><br /></a>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Thanks to one and all of our supporters</span></h3>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQuB9a8lGRUu0VGJbSTIXwpFzdBjFyVWBRyrbBkCgnvQMRcvVYRmnlxDNJKaCRI5omwmkJZM-Xr6fWKIGq4Lg947gemOmeAIbCS8scMrVmz7aqtCAkWPvIEVy0ibvF8pA0hEDGPNPmqrYP/s1600/Chairs+%25287%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="360" data-original-width="640" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQuB9a8lGRUu0VGJbSTIXwpFzdBjFyVWBRyrbBkCgnvQMRcvVYRmnlxDNJKaCRI5omwmkJZM-Xr6fWKIGq4Lg947gemOmeAIbCS8scMrVmz7aqtCAkWPvIEVy0ibvF8pA0hEDGPNPmqrYP/s640/Chairs+%25287%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">In 2018 we launched our Sohm 2020 project, to replace a derelict dining hall in the Lower Basic school, with a multi-purpose hall - within two years.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">We have succeeded: raised the funds, demolished the old hall and seen the new one completed!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">We would like to thank our supporters, particularly Beech Hill school, Luton and the Redbridge Rotary Club for helping us fund the project.</span><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGwl1XFjYpUg9gVFtpEFByNMT8czT8sNUcEYF0dNZ4w5bItuyiCsKJaHVUdVPFv-NpygjlaNv15ufKbsneGE6NJB5so0EJ3S9Q3BizNNaNr-zEK2AX2eRuOIa-1GfWB6Zdan1fv_l4Ppy-/s1600/IMG_2464.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGwl1XFjYpUg9gVFtpEFByNMT8czT8sNUcEYF0dNZ4w5bItuyiCsKJaHVUdVPFv-NpygjlaNv15ufKbsneGE6NJB5so0EJ3S9Q3BizNNaNr-zEK2AX2eRuOIa-1GfWB6Zdan1fv_l4Ppy-/s400/IMG_2464.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small; text-align: start;"><i>The condemned, unfit, building above<br /> is the ramshackled one we have replaced</i></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The new one can now act as: dining and assembly hall, gym, prayer and meeting room, and community area for the village.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">With your help, through our 'sponsor a chair' scheme, we have been able to furnish the hall with almost 400 stackable chairs and dozens of tables - to enable the hall to be multi-functional.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXmBZyMzaAa6Uy0JAItQsDvN5U_jsDRswpOGASCLcIVlLkKxnyktYqPc43_5srvUkIa1H3dQLJ4WQH1gESg9AgWVtOnA-22eCBH-i7J4VQaV4tYcTpXcgsWMQ3vgju3Jd7_HaQZ8_xLr_f/s1600/Chairs+%252838%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXmBZyMzaAa6Uy0JAItQsDvN5U_jsDRswpOGASCLcIVlLkKxnyktYqPc43_5srvUkIa1H3dQLJ4WQH1gESg9AgWVtOnA-22eCBH-i7J4VQaV4tYcTpXcgsWMQ3vgju3Jd7_HaQZ8_xLr_f/s400/Chairs+%252838%2529.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><i>The sponsor a chair scheme has <br />helped us furnish the new hall</i></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Dozens of you contributed. For just £25 you were able to "Make a name for yourself" in Africa - and have a chair named after a loved one or inspirational figure for the African youngsters in the school.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">We posted a "Scroll of Honour" in the hall, with the names of the chairs and why the people should be inspirational to the pupils.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsor7daOUnBYrFHRLsiuC7YRKHALaKAPGoKXVwrmJG83rMCzR_RmWVyTHS57tZmw3Mr7m_Gejzy6W8CBEO9_zdNxWg1TfQpqTOkqMfWNghRl3kOO4vCIKmuIguu1BOf4w_LUiWhOofhLoA/s1600/IMG_1076+-+Copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsor7daOUnBYrFHRLsiuC7YRKHALaKAPGoKXVwrmJG83rMCzR_RmWVyTHS57tZmw3Mr7m_Gejzy6W8CBEO9_zdNxWg1TfQpqTOkqMfWNghRl3kOO4vCIKmuIguu1BOf4w_LUiWhOofhLoA/s400/IMG_1076+-+Copy.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><i>Scroll of Honour - listing the names on the<br /> chairs, and the importance of that person</i></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The new building is magnificent and was completed by local labour, using largely local materials.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvgK4HSWoQyzxNHtiqt7JU9JXAAylkH12wKjiFO6f8aV2htdO4Y5DFwBR5ZzwKH6Xqerp_uPegr8oiyUCu7IU0CeminE4iKhRCJGtgmTjgD-clgWdTN2xZL9tT5bj6RGUccxmuzNCUljvC/s1600/IMG_1020.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvgK4HSWoQyzxNHtiqt7JU9JXAAylkH12wKjiFO6f8aV2htdO4Y5DFwBR5ZzwKH6Xqerp_uPegr8oiyUCu7IU0CeminE4iKhRCJGtgmTjgD-clgWdTN2xZL9tT5bj6RGUccxmuzNCUljvC/s400/IMG_1020.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><i>The magnificent new hall</i></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">It was built: on time, to spec and on budget. It has: electricity, running water and glass windows, that the old building did not.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Because the fencing around the school perimeter is now secure, the school community is now able to cultivate crops within the grounds, which can be cooked in the new kitchen - part of the hall complex - and help improve the diet of the children and encourage more local self-sufficiency.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUvAKWWYtR7Q-YWRBpDSX3UvSQ2d6IHQ7PpTQyUat4_Nj7KS-ryVQTy9CerzXcqoNDUUYMPp3-i7hpamsKHvtJhmeZN-4F8nuQZFjWewrfLLn5n7zcMi_vG96kR4PZ-jA0PT55QvMpF52k/s1600/IMG_0796.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUvAKWWYtR7Q-YWRBpDSX3UvSQ2d6IHQ7PpTQyUat4_Nj7KS-ryVQTy9CerzXcqoNDUUYMPp3-i7hpamsKHvtJhmeZN-4F8nuQZFjWewrfLLn5n7zcMi_vG96kR4PZ-jA0PT55QvMpF52k/s400/IMG_0796.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><i>Cultivating the crops in the school grounds,<br /> for use in the hall's new kitchen, better food<br /> for the children and a step towards self-sufficiency</i></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The school and village are delighted with the building and came out in their hundreds, to the "official" opening in January 2020.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPZOO7owsKen38xV4f9PwKeILoF3apKBae-w6VTEWu4NEL2FvtMhsAWHSsdZiy8Go9SYlquHYz99VQqRr2TtDR-pV90Q427q9zTkGEjIs86UMaciWkAdUsw3UwBYy3l1ciMU9SE2tSMmbi/s1600/IMG_0724.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="360" data-original-width="640" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPZOO7owsKen38xV4f9PwKeILoF3apKBae-w6VTEWu4NEL2FvtMhsAWHSsdZiy8Go9SYlquHYz99VQqRr2TtDR-pV90Q427q9zTkGEjIs86UMaciWkAdUsw3UwBYy3l1ciMU9SE2tSMmbi/s400/IMG_0724.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><i>The village came out in there hundreds, to <br />welcome and accompany us on the way to the <br />hall on the day of the "official opening"</i></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKMkmXx7RcGSk_JuJy6F_w-vhXeyyUOaQ8lQ5CdiBE1ofG8qtTLxA3rIX8cr2rKheRUROyVhxJPPTSnumS2SiIkHnPhoUvrvnSVWRu5geJFjZMo9hVIcTp_fFT9DnqPF8_rW1yTJcYDuX2/s1600/IMG_0730.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKMkmXx7RcGSk_JuJy6F_w-vhXeyyUOaQ8lQ5CdiBE1ofG8qtTLxA3rIX8cr2rKheRUROyVhxJPPTSnumS2SiIkHnPhoUvrvnSVWRu5geJFjZMo9hVIcTp_fFT9DnqPF8_rW1yTJcYDuX2/s400/IMG_0730.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><i>The village elders came out in force, to greet<br /> and thank us for your efforts in funding the new hall</i></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizT1TOrzqIL8Se6lSQFckvQKZx1WUWWdhPzIUHh8iBVXo0SNx5-swmzetHsh3XEcWV-5GcDdvVgfzzjk_zthRvM6RwjIx78WwdEYMxMkZld1UoHFrIaWE4PEH56N3D-ZPkgROhNX9ucIGx/s1600/IMG_0810.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizT1TOrzqIL8Se6lSQFckvQKZx1WUWWdhPzIUHh8iBVXo0SNx5-swmzetHsh3XEcWV-5GcDdvVgfzzjk_zthRvM6RwjIx78WwdEYMxMkZld1UoHFrIaWE4PEH56N3D-ZPkgROhNX9ucIGx/s400/IMG_0810.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><i>The village grandees, out in force, <br />to "open" the hall, for the first time</i></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2uFOX_b76V9k3rGkqVL2XX4Tg66RJRoK3lyx8uKQgibtMj9XD9oDuzBxexRoGPnn3l8ilwackksNkV0cbXKzOm-UxSkEZ_QcmbKl2mVB7AYB0hrKuJgrRY5PGMRXfV1ASH65r5CM2ZN48/s1600/IMG_0737.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="360" data-original-width="640" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2uFOX_b76V9k3rGkqVL2XX4Tg66RJRoK3lyx8uKQgibtMj9XD9oDuzBxexRoGPnn3l8ilwackksNkV0cbXKzOm-UxSkEZ_QcmbKl2mVB7AYB0hrKuJgrRY5PGMRXfV1ASH65r5CM2ZN48/s400/IMG_0737.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><i>The dancing and partying, to welcome <br />the opening went on for hours!</i></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2S5qrbUvuXPWsghfHYHJqvYBwnKwV-nn4nlNvkBStG_poZiWDdwAD-LFcfSY0v50UY9LTok8OmJnQhKVWlqsFjLCHPdR3l7C-fbeVolp_E-YrlP6s5xsCtl06GXWZPVr9OG2GOGFl6wok/s1600/IMG_0732.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2S5qrbUvuXPWsghfHYHJqvYBwnKwV-nn4nlNvkBStG_poZiWDdwAD-LFcfSY0v50UY9LTok8OmJnQhKVWlqsFjLCHPdR3l7C-fbeVolp_E-YrlP6s5xsCtl06GXWZPVr9OG2GOGFl6wok/s400/IMG_0732.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><i>The children sang and performed for <br />us - to express their thanks</i></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">70 orange trees were planted in the school grounds to celebrate the opening.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsklLHTnHIiQJgQRlDrjVb8ljy298PobMaqFlCR0rgqYktuPgOzg7bym7IWVCuygTmbpXFMjtaVjRI72AsxyoAdYyTbQZVBwhTMeF0J0WSaN0Sl6iPqK29ihU_G2i3pm9saRNWE0K1kt7A/s1600/IMG_0756.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsklLHTnHIiQJgQRlDrjVb8ljy298PobMaqFlCR0rgqYktuPgOzg7bym7IWVCuygTmbpXFMjtaVjRI72AsxyoAdYyTbQZVBwhTMeF0J0WSaN0Sl6iPqK29ihU_G2i3pm9saRNWE0K1kt7A/s400/IMG_0756.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><i>Orange tree planting - <br />to celebrate the opening</i></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjStUswXVmy3pTApTQtzbuOYojC1vmduSt-TVxUvZUP5E_pXQ3W5bsmUbH7iyRTFYkTgfygKe4Eb_tx9E2cQlx9h-U2-f-ImT-BP7YmWU16yQXSZRd2w1-6z_CSX5bkZP95fboZi76R_DWa/s1600/IMG_0859.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjStUswXVmy3pTApTQtzbuOYojC1vmduSt-TVxUvZUP5E_pXQ3W5bsmUbH7iyRTFYkTgfygKe4Eb_tx9E2cQlx9h-U2-f-ImT-BP7YmWU16yQXSZRd2w1-6z_CSX5bkZP95fboZi76R_DWa/s400/IMG_0859.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><i>The Director of Education (centre - yellow top) <br />visited and expressed his gratitude for the hall</i></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The Regional Director of Education visited the new hall and was delighted with what he said; adding his voice to that of the local community in saying:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Thank you, one and all, for improving the lives of 400 African children</span></h3>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTy4poXHlK76nqXxg8zz0ta_36w0rs0wRYBhRObB8oW42Xg32zke8_g5m5ZwWrJ3YEz84zVMBwAE4DfN1CnXiMmhyegvre9THT-i-nUceJHsG_tDLkR8JnlynmxAgOfmls34ZYFz6tX7V6/s1600/IMG_0748.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTy4poXHlK76nqXxg8zz0ta_36w0rs0wRYBhRObB8oW42Xg32zke8_g5m5ZwWrJ3YEz84zVMBwAE4DfN1CnXiMmhyegvre9THT-i-nUceJHsG_tDLkR8JnlynmxAgOfmls34ZYFz6tX7V6/s640/IMG_0748.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><i>And ... the children were delighted!</i></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">If you would like to sponsor a chair (yes, there are still some available for this!)they are £25 each. Just send us the name you would like on the chair, and a few words about the person to include on the "Scroll of Honour".</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Bank: Santander.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">A/c name: UK Sohm Seccondary School (The Gambia)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Sort: 090128</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">A/c no.: 04453414</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">e.mail: John@SohmSchoolsSupport.org.uk</span></div>
John Walkerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07186291200017823878noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6148102787354552919.post-65603781605276588362019-12-07T10:42:00.002+00:002019-12-07T10:42:32.261+00:00One last push - imaginative Christmas gifts!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Six months ago there was a barren piece of land next to the playground in Sohm Lower Basic school, and the first activity took place around building the new multi-purpose hall. Progress has been swift, as these photos show, and all will be ready for the official opening of the hall, when we visit the country in January. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX0P3OTdmPNWIHj9KbXaQ9LnR4zqJjRn12eGqUUZH1_goHR_Ok_BW5Df3wg6PNvMlZS9ZPXPvLxV1oShXETt2NrnZVN6KEqn2N0iVYow7EEPkhnw4kKq1ICVM6ph6QfJR4eSxF5ey_2blw/s1600/Dec+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="809" data-original-width="1080" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX0P3OTdmPNWIHj9KbXaQ9LnR4zqJjRn12eGqUUZH1_goHR_Ok_BW5Df3wg6PNvMlZS9ZPXPvLxV1oShXETt2NrnZVN6KEqn2N0iVYow7EEPkhnw4kKq1ICVM6ph6QfJR4eSxF5ey_2blw/s400/Dec+2.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCvo2R7OrNHvVJwlfO29UbQfmn_TK9i47c33M1QqBbofRkK_wgr1V9x_XAJLjH__OkUvmZSHDPe9Lo7vaLORL_GrBy4UgeFz28BORZwOzxbM2D6RmoYLkz04y31-zTF1rdx-a-2OosqJ4U/s1600/Dec+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="809" data-original-width="1080" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCvo2R7OrNHvVJwlfO29UbQfmn_TK9i47c33M1QqBbofRkK_wgr1V9x_XAJLjH__OkUvmZSHDPe9Lo7vaLORL_GrBy4UgeFz28BORZwOzxbM2D6RmoYLkz04y31-zTF1rdx-a-2OosqJ4U/s400/Dec+1.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt4iAsiHxJCQcvMgjfXQDuoiiylfjljd-yOIuNNlBRVNLzdiYK_4lAnLR2-TgsGfusi9LeQs1YEx1ktY20Ixo6-iISm-scn4mq9MYsdt2YzBLA48yZzMOm0Aw3O79YU-tAimhxNVsN5Ak0/s1600/Dec+3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="809" data-original-width="1080" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt4iAsiHxJCQcvMgjfXQDuoiiylfjljd-yOIuNNlBRVNLzdiYK_4lAnLR2-TgsGfusi9LeQs1YEx1ktY20Ixo6-iISm-scn4mq9MYsdt2YzBLA48yZzMOm0Aw3O79YU-tAimhxNVsN5Ak0/s400/Dec+3.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Stuck for a present idea, for the person who has everything?</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Help someone who has nothing</span></span></h3>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Make a name for your recipient in Africa</span></h3>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Since we launched our "chair naming" initiative, as a fund raiser, supporters have donated money to name over 100 chairs!</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3WMfAO1z6sJ9xWd5k9QPHfLvNRrTc4qg24XlmFhLro19YM39lsoKopo06PjkwzbzZ0hZTt2tuEASbVjoz6uuuBMwRj7x8cN332By4UOm3VB2aq88D_24NjAO-UzjFZ48yr8P4fwL7D7Jb/s1600/Chairs+8.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3WMfAO1z6sJ9xWd5k9QPHfLvNRrTc4qg24XlmFhLro19YM39lsoKopo06PjkwzbzZ0hZTt2tuEASbVjoz6uuuBMwRj7x8cN332By4UOm3VB2aq88D_24NjAO-UzjFZ48yr8P4fwL7D7Jb/s400/Chairs+8.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Imaginative people have come up with a whole range of interesting ideas for chair names. Some, as we had originally hoped, have named chairs after themselves; others, after grand children, other family members or well-loved, deceased relatives. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKvDgK-iQ5BwJDAtGmuoqkBHY3XiK4nk7hLhioOmjO2uh5ekFcW2pd_J5gzgd_iFwNExs_1u8IagUfTQpNu1GNrOJQFGjJWdgNoO8yTihrCJUGExWiOeLwbAuWuOZAynfmFjCnJQ16r56F/s1600/Chairs+9.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKvDgK-iQ5BwJDAtGmuoqkBHY3XiK4nk7hLhioOmjO2uh5ekFcW2pd_J5gzgd_iFwNExs_1u8IagUfTQpNu1GNrOJQFGjJWdgNoO8yTihrCJUGExWiOeLwbAuWuOZAynfmFjCnJQ16r56F/s400/Chairs+9.JPG" width="225" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUGg9SRMMKUks45lY65xsXB6T0M64nyU6Nc8glYqnstJKxSxAwMnfDTmZxEoaPigh2ELt1i2djnsXmePHqd3s7r9r7tB9-W4UsA4600NI1SGtQhmicsCQgdMCicLs8xBN0SyqmdGDWhk_e/s1600/Chairs+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUGg9SRMMKUks45lY65xsXB6T0M64nyU6Nc8glYqnstJKxSxAwMnfDTmZxEoaPigh2ELt1i2djnsXmePHqd3s7r9r7tB9-W4UsA4600NI1SGtQhmicsCQgdMCicLs8xBN0SyqmdGDWhk_e/s400/Chairs+2.JPG" width="225" /></a><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Some donors have wanted to celebrate figures who may be inspirational, or role models for the students; figures from black African history, inventors, pioneers, African musicians and writers etc.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">There are a number of chairs dedicated to our only two "institutional" sponsors - Beech Hill Primary School, in Luton and Redbridge Rotary Club - without whom this new hall would not be possible. So - a very big "thank you" to them from us, and from the youngsters in The Gambia.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOUEckgMCcUyGfFhYs2faqfYdojre0GKnGx0qvGSAGbgRNIUliKysZli47IgR9ejLGTSDy2dj2wqlnwn_7qRA5il_Igx4ned3Mv1dDrPYfKijtzWdG9gfzi-s8mJtzbmJIJLJ2ZpC0u6L0/s1600/Chairs+5.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOUEckgMCcUyGfFhYs2faqfYdojre0GKnGx0qvGSAGbgRNIUliKysZli47IgR9ejLGTSDy2dj2wqlnwn_7qRA5il_Igx4ned3Mv1dDrPYfKijtzWdG9gfzi-s8mJtzbmJIJLJ2ZpC0u6L0/s400/Chairs+5.JPG" width="225" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7xZ1h2NJ_zJXLKYkoO3L3qoUFCLEJQRgfBmskt5wNCwxAYKVGzNZUpD6aoj6r5KPNMuipRJyygKyPLIroP7XBJV4eNx6xT3Be08bm_5UU8_EdF2fbCHMTTORpvyShMu5pR10ECJltQoDR/s1600/Chairs+19.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7xZ1h2NJ_zJXLKYkoO3L3qoUFCLEJQRgfBmskt5wNCwxAYKVGzNZUpD6aoj6r5KPNMuipRJyygKyPLIroP7XBJV4eNx6xT3Be08bm_5UU8_EdF2fbCHMTTORpvyShMu5pR10ECJltQoDR/s400/Chairs+19.JPG" width="225" /></a><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We have now got all the chairs to The Gambia, and our friends out there have stencilled the nominated names on the requisite chairs - as some of the photos show.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">But - hurry, while stocks last!! We still have some sad looking chairs with no names - just waiting for your choice (and £25!). There are less than three weeks to Christmas and you know you are struggling for ideas for some "difficult" people.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Your dilemma is solved! Send us you "name" by Christmas Eve, with the £25 donation, together with the e.mail address of the person to whom you are sending the named chair as a gift. We will send them an e.mail with a photo of a named chair (not their name), but with a promise to send a framed print of a Sohm youngster, sitting on "their" chair, in the new hall, in February.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Two bites at the cherry! They get a "gift" promise on Christmas Day and the framed photo two months later. Two gifts for the price of one!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Simple! A quick way for you to solve a dilemma of a gift, we do the work for you, and the youngsters in Sohm get the benefit. Sounds like Christmas, to us!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Roll up - with role model footballers</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">John is a Crystal Palace supporter and has named a chair after every African footballer in the current squad; see below for a couple of examples.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqhy-CTcEQnliNWE9YMu4s_5DNX0YZ2zPv1ZdBdGablIpGEW2iW4zqVuikOTK440huKcR3c9m8tLcoKSZuryOHaiutyu1P-Rfe1GBajtecb93gv9osULGJbDC10iGXCbytqcmXzKe8s5dx/s1600/Chairs+13.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqhy-CTcEQnliNWE9YMu4s_5DNX0YZ2zPv1ZdBdGablIpGEW2iW4zqVuikOTK440huKcR3c9m8tLcoKSZuryOHaiutyu1P-Rfe1GBajtecb93gv9osULGJbDC10iGXCbytqcmXzKe8s5dx/s400/Chairs+13.JPG" width="225" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE94dFsiBcGtzfMu4yigSzUGpHvq1XRb6yZfUBl0J8nPnmDy9Z5cAQMTinB4vSKyKko8MG9WwzLe9s-aNaqRbRncrbq6IvcTeAIpZG2NGZWB5saYlCy7PxHeQ8cRmX7uBrSvgkI2BOjE6L/s1600/Chairs+6.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE94dFsiBcGtzfMu4yigSzUGpHvq1XRb6yZfUBl0J8nPnmDy9Z5cAQMTinB4vSKyKko8MG9WwzLe9s-aNaqRbRncrbq6IvcTeAIpZG2NGZWB5saYlCy7PxHeQ8cRmX7uBrSvgkI2BOjE6L/s400/Chairs+6.JPG" width="225" /></a><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">As an extremely generous Christmas offer, we will be prepared to name other chairs after other African footballers, playing for other clubs - at no extra cost!!! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">For just £25, you could inspire up to 300 African youngsters who, on a daily basis, could see the name of your team's African all-star!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>To "Name that chair"</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Simply pick a name of your choice, and drop us a line to that effect, with a £25 (or more, if you like!) donation to Sohm Schools Support - see below for bank details.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">If you want us to write to the recipient, telling them of your gift, just drop us their e.mail address, too. And consider it done!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We really do need the name before Christmas, as we have to get the stencil of the name made, before we leave for the Gambia in mid January. We will then have get the chair painted in time for the opening. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We will send you, or your nominated person a framed photo of one of Sohm's youngster's sitting in the chair, in the hall, rather like the mocked-up one below when we return from the country in February.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-AlQMMHa8MkFgUVs8I4IAHyT5Kf6A9ZcVDKOqwAVkN4WqwrzfbjpRS5EEhrcuErMfGKf8ayP2IdUMttDKEpH-9QGN22BI4dgg8jIcWsEWNKeBrG8zoEg75whZ7EI1IuUddB8T0QsYLEVG/s1600/IMG_3356.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-AlQMMHa8MkFgUVs8I4IAHyT5Kf6A9ZcVDKOqwAVkN4WqwrzfbjpRS5EEhrcuErMfGKf8ayP2IdUMttDKEpH-9QGN22BI4dgg8jIcWsEWNKeBrG8zoEg75whZ7EI1IuUddB8T0QsYLEVG/s400/IMG_3356.JPG" width="266" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We are creating a "Scroll of Honour", which will be displayed in the hall, saying a few words about the named person on every chair, to let the youngsters know a little about the people. You may wish to send a few words about your nominated "chair" person.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The bank details are:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Bank: Santander</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">A/c name: UK Sohm Secondary School (The Gambia)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Sort: 090128</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">A/c no: 04453414</span><br />
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<br />John Walkerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07186291200017823878noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6148102787354552919.post-44629430339153217842019-10-07T18:15:00.002+01:002019-10-07T18:17:24.129+01:00Great progress with the new hall<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The schools have been back from the summer holidays in The Gambia for about a month and there has been significant progress in the construction of the new hall in Sohm, that so many of you have generously contributed to.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">As the photos show, the shell of the building has now been completed and plastering/rendering work is continuing apace.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW_CINehI-8wtV8dqnLeyYROAdpaT3UhgWeukkf_QfqbALBJOO2HXuUWGDvdDDFWWSi2c0E00loiARPsSaXFpEagYnZquNHbe6zklRMWrhHqqvtSJ3fGYhNtUktH-zTKgGHgsK24z_9tm5/s1600/5022b0c8-287f-49ff-bf9c-f59e63c4070a.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="809" data-original-width="1080" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW_CINehI-8wtV8dqnLeyYROAdpaT3UhgWeukkf_QfqbALBJOO2HXuUWGDvdDDFWWSi2c0E00loiARPsSaXFpEagYnZquNHbe6zklRMWrhHqqvtSJ3fGYhNtUktH-zTKgGHgsK24z_9tm5/s400/5022b0c8-287f-49ff-bf9c-f59e63c4070a.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">As we have previously mentioned, our key contact at the school, Mr Lamin Saidy has been given a significant promotion away from the school, and we wish him well. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJK_oyQ5E0d8epo-Z44aXPBm7B2LTXuCJpG60Yb60CqytXso-BQAHzgmy8NKHgi12ICSn2EYFDn4hMW0NDPezLA4UjYG02XjszZJlnJ51j39rnj6VigI2DXzKCKu44G7Q9yw8d_zfD2vc7/s1600/2bcfc206-2e19-480e-bd71-a37f9c4fb867.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="809" data-original-width="1080" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJK_oyQ5E0d8epo-Z44aXPBm7B2LTXuCJpG60Yb60CqytXso-BQAHzgmy8NKHgi12ICSn2EYFDn4hMW0NDPezLA4UjYG02XjszZJlnJ51j39rnj6VigI2DXzKCKu44G7Q9yw8d_zfD2vc7/s400/2bcfc206-2e19-480e-bd71-a37f9c4fb867.JPG" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><i>Great progress with the construction work</i></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The king is dead - long live the king! We are delighted to welcome Mt </span>Jawara<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">, as the new head.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1TbD5dkcAcW1hgm3sfGHZIBiVA2sx7axyGOHHGwZMRd5v4Q9NIPLawguDEJu4GiAefgq0fVUE3qyan3bOFJtyqwpUv5VW9gsIwiHVeqhvE09zab8Iq1D8OYlV9MAxDbFbiLSylSoqtxBz/s1600/619f2008-cca1-4a87-a821-b41ba5b4401a.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="809" data-original-width="1080" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1TbD5dkcAcW1hgm3sfGHZIBiVA2sx7axyGOHHGwZMRd5v4Q9NIPLawguDEJu4GiAefgq0fVUE3qyan3bOFJtyqwpUv5VW9gsIwiHVeqhvE09zab8Iq1D8OYlV9MAxDbFbiLSylSoqtxBz/s400/619f2008-cca1-4a87-a821-b41ba5b4401a.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">He is in the white cap, at the centre of the photo, above, being shown around the construction project, with which he is totally delighted.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">We are hopefully that the building will be complete by December, with the official opening next January, when Sandra and I will both be present.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Meanwhile, we are moving apace in furnishing the hall, through a great contact we have made, who imports second hand furniture into The Gambia from the UK. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">He has just sourced us 24 sturdy tables, that can be used at school meal times, then stacked and pushed to one side of the hall, when other activities are taking place. Our friend is on the look out for a further 30 or so of them to ship out.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj__MSVmmMWMkn3T7CbPnCToA41MNe10BaKBfInD9TjmxCY5NqYUKpcxyhtnFVPzReCDExo6ZvKnuNd7QbZ_ECqAq169ixHUiN_x9JdbubFY21bLcLwkMVEyyz-SFu0Av63epGvjl3_RREd/s1600/IMG_0083.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj__MSVmmMWMkn3T7CbPnCToA41MNe10BaKBfInD9TjmxCY5NqYUKpcxyhtnFVPzReCDExo6ZvKnuNd7QbZ_ECqAq169ixHUiN_x9JdbubFY21bLcLwkMVEyyz-SFu0Av63epGvjl3_RREd/s400/IMG_0083.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBTbHqThGeTgRl6CIFdwY4Gn2gjvzld4DqF3n3Cz9KgUcZbsE7hx7Ic1IGqCm0UollaAhIAu5ujiyUeECNMbQuKHUbK0driIgfxJu2-AaAMWnrJ1DMs0Er7tM_4eanj6oSzT537DWR3yQE/s1600/IMG_0081.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBTbHqThGeTgRl6CIFdwY4Gn2gjvzld4DqF3n3Cz9KgUcZbsE7hx7Ic1IGqCm0UollaAhIAu5ujiyUeECNMbQuKHUbK0driIgfxJu2-AaAMWnrJ1DMs0Er7tM_4eanj6oSzT537DWR3yQE/s400/IMG_0081.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">We have previously mentioned that he had secured 125 chairs for us, which are now in The Gambia. He has sourced a further 75, which will be shipped out in time for the opening of the hall.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Our "Make a name for yourself in Africa" (see earlier posts, below), initiative has gone well. We are delighted to say that we are now able to "name" 62 chairs, under the scheme. But there are still about 140 chairs without a name on their back, and for just £25 a chair, you could change that!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">While, generally, it is invidious to name donors or chair sponsors, we must make an exception in the case of the family of Yasmin Hussain, a member of staff at Luton's Beech Hill school which is twinned with the Lower Basic school in Sohm.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Yasmin has been an enthusiastic supporter since we first met her, two and a half years ago. She has passed on her dedication to her two children and six nephews and nieces. Aged between 5 and 18, the eight of them have saved their Zakat (an Islamic charity donation scheme) and donated £300 to "name" twelve chairs in the school. Their parents have been so inspired by their action that they have added a further £200 - making a total family donation of £500 to Sohm.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt9fc6hgooGnMSUcGP-dopeFZ3uHFCv4L1NbB_ND8BcrCDPa7wT8HprHaA5uaJBNjejgwj3K7h_ywfvgfyH1ST6gsK8eD5pSQpL0XQ45y2r_6RoQayxFd50v0y6igj7zER2eRYiurv6zA1/s1600/6fc40ff8-a7b2-46c4-864c-dedd3aa425e1+%25285%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt9fc6hgooGnMSUcGP-dopeFZ3uHFCv4L1NbB_ND8BcrCDPa7wT8HprHaA5uaJBNjejgwj3K7h_ywfvgfyH1ST6gsK8eD5pSQpL0XQ45y2r_6RoQayxFd50v0y6igj7zER2eRYiurv6zA1/s400/6fc40ff8-a7b2-46c4-864c-dedd3aa425e1+%25285%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><i>Yasmin Hussain's generous family, showing their <br />support for Sohm Lower Basic school, in action! <br />Left to right; Saffa (11), Ibrahim (7), Alisha <br />(12, Anisa (16), Esa (6), Haleema (5), <br />Sumaya (11) and, front Musa (5)</i></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; text-align: left;">We really can't thank them enough, and can't wait to bring back photos from </span>Sohm<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; text-align: left;">, showing some of the school's youngsters at work on the chairs the family have sponsored.</span></div>
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John Walkerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07186291200017823878noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6148102787354552919.post-45926647465617037662019-08-28T16:21:00.000+01:002019-08-28T16:21:02.471+01:00A very productive summer<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">As the children in Sohm look to return to school, next week, they - and we - can reflect on a very productive summer for the school.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Construction work on our Sohm 2020 project - the new multi-purpose hall for the school - is proceeding at a rapid rate. We had only just put in place funds to complete the project in early July, and a week later signed the contracts and documentation, when, within days, work </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">began </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">on site.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><i>The photos tell their own story of <br />rapid progress within six weeks.</i></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">As can be seen from the photos, progress has been remarkable on this 30 metre building, that will act as: a school dining room, assembly hall, gymnasium, prayer hall, and village meeting hall. We are optimistic building will be complete by the end of this year, so that we can be present at an official opening in the early months of 2020 - on schedule for our plans!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Make a Name for Yourself in Africa</span></h3>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">In July we launched our "Make a Name for Yourself in Africa" initiative, where we offered donors the chance to have a chair in the new hall named after them, or a person of their choice. Each sponsored chair would have the chosen name stencilled on the back of it, and recorded, with brief details of the named person, on a Scroll of Honour, to be displayed in the hall.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We are delighted to say that we now have over 50 chairs sponsored, out of our first purchase batch of 100. We hope to purchase another 75 chairs later this year.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Our generous donors have been very imaginative in their choice of "names". Twelve grandchildren will receive copies of a photo of a Sohm child sitting on "their" chair, in the hall, in early 2020. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Others have nominated four children, six African footballers, three African musicians, four Gambian historic figures, four world-wide philanthropists, three US civil rights leaders/campaigners, four deceased loved ones. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Each donor will receive a photo of a Sohm pupil sitting on a chair with their nominee's name on the back of it, next year.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiQd6mxnqfRYHVOXpLLSd8G3GdJcSo6ot4xyrlE8gETxVxQdAehLjV6SavRDq7ZgGUXBFM4nAxPc_G88o_e2g9pExLIetkrI_yNE64ZIb-1oj2J8sY23t-9H0jodzSltDk6oqwcls6A-lv/s1600/IMG_3356.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiQd6mxnqfRYHVOXpLLSd8G3GdJcSo6ot4xyrlE8gETxVxQdAehLjV6SavRDq7ZgGUXBFM4nAxPc_G88o_e2g9pExLIetkrI_yNE64ZIb-1oj2J8sY23t-9H0jodzSltDk6oqwcls6A-lv/s400/IMG_3356.JPG" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><i>For just £25 you can have the name of<br /> your choice properly stencilled on to the<br /> back of one of the chairs in the new hall.<br /> Your nominated person will have a brief <br />note about them on a Scroll of Honour <br />in the hall, and we will send you a photo <br />of a pupil, sitting on "your" chair when we<br /> visit Sohm next January. <br />See post, below, for further details.</i></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">One enthusiastic supporter has gone for slogans of encouragement, like "Go for it", as their sponsored message on four separate chairs!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We have worked hard and well with two heads and one deputy head at Sohm Lower Basic, who are no longer at the school - because of death or promotion elsewhere - to help us with this project. Each will be remembered on a chair back, as will the two principal funders of the project: Beech Hill Community School and Redbridge Rotary Club. Generous, anonymous sponsors from each of those organisations have paid for two chairs each, as a timely reminder of the contribution of their organisation to the construction of the hall.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We would like to say a big "Thank you" to each of these sponsors - and you know who you are! - for supporting this new hall project so imaginatively and constructively.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">If you haven't got round to "Making a Name for Yourself in Africa", and would still like to - don't worry, you still have time, and there are available chairs! See the post immediately below this for full details of the scheme and how to sign up and help.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Moving on</span></h3>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It is with a little sadness that we report that Lamin Saidy, the deputy head at Sohm, with whom we have worked so closely on our projects at the school is moving on. He has been promoted to another school, and is excited at the new challenges he faces. This is a justified reward for his diligence in Sohm, and we wish him well in his new post.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It is to Lamin's eternal credit that he put a great deal of effort into succession planning. One of the younger members of staff at the school, whom he mentored - Yahya Badjie - has picked up the baton and is continuing with the excellent supervision of the new building and reporting back to us, in Lamin's absence (including sending almost all the photos in this post).</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRUfuJA_Vqh2I49P_nvYSQK9HQxjnuW1Jni4sae0oFhjmRFe8zdLp77Zb8u10IvxZQi007sEf3BezoDZ77zVoOtyyLIm-VzGFGhOFXHEHInP4B0MAkg6iZa_ARnwjoh0mPEtYG_Seg-UaI/s1600/IMG_2777.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRUfuJA_Vqh2I49P_nvYSQK9HQxjnuW1Jni4sae0oFhjmRFe8zdLp77Zb8u10IvxZQi007sEf3BezoDZ77zVoOtyyLIm-VzGFGhOFXHEHInP4B0MAkg6iZa_ARnwjoh0mPEtYG_Seg-UaI/s400/IMG_2777.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Virtuous circle: outgoing deputy head, Lamin<br /> Saidy (right), with mentor, Yayha Badjie,<br /> displaying lesson planning booklets for staff <br />that they had made from materials supplied by <br />Sohm Schools Support. These put into practice tips <br />picked up from a training day delivered five years ago <br />by Natalie Carson, now deputy head of Beech Hill <br />school, Luton - Sohm's largest institutional funder!</span></i></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So - a little period of adjustment for us, promotion for Lamin and a great opportunity for the new generation. </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The future looks safe. </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Couldn't be better! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Summer school</span></h3>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">One of Lamin's last jobs at Sohm was to organise three sets of summer classes, over the holidays for 133 of the school's children. These were a transitional class - for those moving to the village's senior secondary school, which we have significantly assisted. Plus two others, for pupils facing the Gambian equivalent of SATS 1 and 2 next year.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Lamin, and colleagues, identified the need, put together a case and we were delighted to find a sponsor who was happy to pay the £420 that it cost to put on the classes over the summer, shown in the photos, above and below.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbcZ_7jZ8tf3XzVWxR7nZCN9p5ksv4vjWEj5vazsxXO0mFLVEfQ-TUgzaI0cnu-0T4xGbTfEpjvNdyCrCRLpfjPyjXJfLVZHQa1dNH_UclXnGJyAvT95S6xkrrxK_0gC2zpk3FA7AY9DMc/s1600/Aug+2019+-+5.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="809" data-original-width="1080" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbcZ_7jZ8tf3XzVWxR7nZCN9p5ksv4vjWEj5vazsxXO0mFLVEfQ-TUgzaI0cnu-0T4xGbTfEpjvNdyCrCRLpfjPyjXJfLVZHQa1dNH_UclXnGJyAvT95S6xkrrxK_0gC2zpk3FA7AY9DMc/s400/Aug+2019+-+5.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Thank you all, once again, for your support for Sohm Schools Support. We hope you'll agree that the work in partnership, we have done with the school community there is bringing exciting results - and making a real difference to young African children's lives.</span></div>
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<br />John Walkerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07186291200017823878noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6148102787354552919.post-70524405728640526302019-07-11T17:22:00.000+01:002019-07-11T17:22:20.210+01:00Make a name for yourself in Africa<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The good news is, that through the fantastic efforts of our supporters, we have met our Sohm 2020 target - of raising £20k, by 2020, to build a new hall for the school and village. It will act as: a dining hall, assembly room, gymnasium, performance area, prayer room and village hall.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpYEPAURoyBB7eEZ36B9CjyRjCpYCzAaYSBUQrECOMCzOz3v-KUDpzEc1O7ziFcXIjLyJjdR__9xFeZ5y8a7PHiVME3jnOelhf2X5JPdsAcMb211vGc9e5mLrnRu5LkXlk9xhvmJ3amhUA/s1600/PHOTO-2019-07-10-11-52-05.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="581" data-original-width="1032" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpYEPAURoyBB7eEZ36B9CjyRjCpYCzAaYSBUQrECOMCzOz3v-KUDpzEc1O7ziFcXIjLyJjdR__9xFeZ5y8a7PHiVME3jnOelhf2X5JPdsAcMb211vGc9e5mLrnRu5LkXlk9xhvmJ3amhUA/s400/PHOTO-2019-07-10-11-52-05.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><i>Building team survey the site</i></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Work has already begun on construction, and we are promised completion by the end of this calendar year, and hope to bring back photos and videos to share with you, when we next visit in Jan/Feb 2020.</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><i>And the important stuff - the tape <br />measure is out. Must be serious!</i></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The even better news is that we are giving you an opportunity to become involved with the next stage in the project - and help furnish the hall!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We are launching: "Make a name for yourself in Africa". This is seeking sponsors to pay £25 to have a chair in the new hall dedicated to them. We have struck a deal with a furniture company to supply us with chairs, and with a stencil firm who will make stencils of people's names, which can be painted on the back of the chairs.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixL3yU14yQps1EQDqPU63v3D_stJrVpvgeXpkmlnlaKzkuRq0a-MOFfCPwWc8aN3ZxUcrpmjr1RP-ZezHA7_An3Z4tXtBnqIfL44mJVp32I4s0BFwrqJlWJ4hbqIkPo5VsP645O2VcmEzn/s1600/IMG_3356.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixL3yU14yQps1EQDqPU63v3D_stJrVpvgeXpkmlnlaKzkuRq0a-MOFfCPwWc8aN3ZxUcrpmjr1RP-ZezHA7_An3Z4tXtBnqIfL44mJVp32I4s0BFwrqJlWJ4hbqIkPo5VsP645O2VcmEzn/s400/IMG_3356.JPG" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><i>Your name - to be stenciled<br /> on the back of a chair</i></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So - you may want your own name, that of a relative (living or deceased) as a memorial, or present. Or you might want the name of someone who you think could be a role model to these young Gambians - a sports star, a music or artistic performer etc. Sandra and I, for example, will be naming some chairs after some of our grandchildren and role model African footballers who play for Crystal Palace or Chelsea!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">In addition to a name on the back of a chair, all sponsors will also have a one-line entry (of the choosing of the sponsor) about their subject on a "Scroll of Honour" that will be on the wall of the hall, so the children can see whose chair they are sitting on!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">There are some minor conditions:</span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">1.<b> </b>We will not permit the use of the name
of any living politician, from anywhere, to be featured. We reserve the right
to deny the use of any name we deem to be inappropriate.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">2.The offer
will allow for 14 characters in a name (inc spaces), there will be an
additional cost of £5 for up to 14 more characters.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">3. We would
appreciate your donation at any time, but the offer closes on 15 December 2019,
and photos and extracts from the scroll will be sent in February 2020.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">4. Any queries about how to make the donation, or
about the offer should be sent to johnvervecom@yahoo.co.uk</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We would hope to get as many sponsors as possible signed up by the cut off point in December, so that we can get the stencils taken out in January and have the photos of a child sitting on the sponsors chair taken when we are next in the country.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">All sponsors will get a framed photo of a Sohm youngster sitting on "their chair", and an extract from the Scroll of Honour. But most of all, they can have the satisfaction of having helped transform the education and life chances of a Gambian child.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I do hope you will be able to support us. But don't worry - we'll still talk to you, whatever your choice!</span></div>
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John Walkerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07186291200017823878noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6148102787354552919.post-66445064376116688362019-07-04T16:25:00.000+01:002019-07-04T16:25:01.348+01:002nd July 2019 - a red letter day for Sohm<br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Tuesday 2 July 2019 was a great day for Sohm, although few in the village would have known it, at the time.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It was on that day that the last piece of funding fell into place and we were able to sign off the cost schedule and timeline for building the new hall and kitchen for the Lower Basic school. This was a project that we had labelled Sohm 2020, two years ago, as we set about raising £20,000 by 2020 for the project.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We are ahead of schedule and hope to be present for the opening of the new facility in January next year!</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIqYMQ33Uu7IQDCp4YXQZst-w6ToR8cGb156t_D4yJffGDYAXRiQewgar9797ZFugBDP9gQZljUBKZChrYP70nuyvJAOqO-wRV04bj69DctWijGSQXzksqfOSqxlS3cQo7cGCoTp0yB4aU/s1600/Scan0008.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1164" data-original-width="1600" height="290" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIqYMQ33Uu7IQDCp4YXQZst-w6ToR8cGb156t_D4yJffGDYAXRiQewgar9797ZFugBDP9gQZljUBKZChrYP70nuyvJAOqO-wRV04bj69DctWijGSQXzksqfOSqxlS3cQo7cGCoTp0yB4aU/s400/Scan0008.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><i>Architect's plans for the new hall - <br />to be complete by the end of this year!</i></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The building will be our most significant contribution to the village of Sohm - by some distance - since we established the charity eight years ago. It will replace an old school dining hall, which had to be demolished, because it was dangerous two years ago, with a brand new facility. The previous building - over 35 years old - was inflexible. Its "furniture" consisted of immovable concrete blocks, which children perched on to eat from other concrete blocks. The school kitchen had no modern equipment.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh30mhUHtjENetYoo8RZcne5dtF-oQY-s_2KGyqxz-in9w_aS6ePX7gMKuBcL7jrAc2evxEMMFZDkzlT6bipNUJib-18Y1rQHbYX8Ulr4HQlI93zGBfedlT-3fNrDr2m3D0kPVFO4DQBNR6/s1600/IMG_3038.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh30mhUHtjENetYoo8RZcne5dtF-oQY-s_2KGyqxz-in9w_aS6ePX7gMKuBcL7jrAc2evxEMMFZDkzlT6bipNUJib-18Y1rQHbYX8Ulr4HQlI93zGBfedlT-3fNrDr2m3D0kPVFO4DQBNR6/s400/IMG_3038.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><i>Village elders and school governors, <br />after a session planning the layout and <br />location of the new school hall, in January 2019</i></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The new building - 30 metres long - will be multi-functional. In addition to being a dining hall - , because we are acquiring flexible, portable furniture - it can also be used as a gym, an assembly hall, a prayer room, and the village's first community village hall. Village leaders have played a significant role in helping to design and decide the location for the hall, as shown by the photographs. They have been overwhelmed with gratitude at the generosity of our supporters.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj98LPDhhUGOHieb9D_81SpJA_7S2yng4bz0MfDJ6LvQXo60NImFsgg-AuPwCsVYfqKgoJhcl9Q6XgbiH6qMsL6xlDQPJucAQrYrx3Bkm4671pxgGLz00Fx91-h5Jx3hVXE1tUuIwHAZ3FL/s1600/IMG_2545.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj98LPDhhUGOHieb9D_81SpJA_7S2yng4bz0MfDJ6LvQXo60NImFsgg-AuPwCsVYfqKgoJhcl9Q6XgbiH6qMsL6xlDQPJucAQrYrx3Bkm4671pxgGLz00Fx91-h5Jx3hVXE1tUuIwHAZ3FL/s400/IMG_2545.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><i>Above: the decrepit (and now demolished) <br />building the new school hall will replace. Below: its<br /> roof, that was in danger of collapse</i></span></td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXI3dOJzI1GHaLXat31-ehLuo35n0F21QKiH9J3tIPYClRZqgegQte2MXIHmvquw5itHvkeUOEOxrP8zZo6n6glV2t93URGe9A2TOAzqBIiUgvrSZ8-l6Kpuymw5vX2TVhuaVVAbZ1TMmc/s1600/IMG_2471.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXI3dOJzI1GHaLXat31-ehLuo35n0F21QKiH9J3tIPYClRZqgegQte2MXIHmvquw5itHvkeUOEOxrP8zZo6n6glV2t93URGe9A2TOAzqBIiUgvrSZ8-l6Kpuymw5vX2TVhuaVVAbZ1TMmc/s400/IMG_2471.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Our charity has been assisted by a number of individual donors, whose efforts have helped us reach our funding targets so rapidly. We thank them all - you know who you are!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">In addition, we have received huge support and assistance from two major organisational donors: Beech Hill community primary school, in Luton and Redbridge Rotary club. Sohm Lower Basic school has shown its recognition of their efforts on the freshly painted walls (funded by these donors!) in the main teaching block (see photo).</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdy6y8VIx-QjRkKf5Qx_OFftpqX1QAHa6lNDRBNdiNfvzdBz0wnjTQfwdRMIQagzrftZZNP0OcTPzabFdmDQpYk7Z-xD9MfZNpgfycI_fZe-d1QlG1AVr3AtmmETmc_M7NEy2u_SBVwxqY/s1600/IMG_3101.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdy6y8VIx-QjRkKf5Qx_OFftpqX1QAHa6lNDRBNdiNfvzdBz0wnjTQfwdRMIQagzrftZZNP0OcTPzabFdmDQpYk7Z-xD9MfZNpgfycI_fZe-d1QlG1AVr3AtmmETmc_M7NEy2u_SBVwxqY/s400/IMG_3101.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><i>Redbridge Rotary and Beech Hill's logos, <br />outside Sohm LBS head's office, by way of <br />appreciation for their fund-raising efforts.</i></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We have covered the activities of Beech Hill school in a number of posts (see above) notably for their splendid and highly successful Gambia Days.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Tuesday 2 July, however, was - in addition to our signing off the contract for the new build - a big day in our relationship with Redbridge Rotary Club. It was the hand-over day from one president to another.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Outgoing president, and friend of our charity, Tony Betts, presented two awards to SSS in his farewell address. One was a cheque of £1,000 to us - as one of his nominated charities for the year. The second was a prestigious Certificate of Appreciation from Rotary International for charitable work we undertake in The Gambia, putting some of the funds that they have raised to such good purposes. We were greatly humbled by both awards.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhP2QI465ZcnJCjQgDIH-0SEmXJkvoleiC-cg19Hha-LkYTcLopTFtcGSZsFC1W8rYg9anFPbq_gJFTZn0zE-ErYyosG66gnUVQUTkKGvbZfxmSTJrac2NPmdrS6zchebMEMvZNhbrIbX2/s1600/Rotary+presentation.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhP2QI465ZcnJCjQgDIH-0SEmXJkvoleiC-cg19Hha-LkYTcLopTFtcGSZsFC1W8rYg9anFPbq_gJFTZn0zE-ErYyosG66gnUVQUTkKGvbZfxmSTJrac2NPmdrS6zchebMEMvZNhbrIbX2/s400/Rotary+presentation.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><i>John and Sandra (centre) from SSS, receiving the<br /> Rotary International Certificate of Appreciation <br />from Tony Betts (left), immediate past president,<br /> and Mike Bell, incoming president of Redbridge Rotary </i></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU1D20FBElpKDU0-oCNZ9tYFlh-tOqkSVWZX9O4NHoM0MiFjk30QW2J_GDx4WG_R0mbLuejQWXLjL2YZmNi3NibLjm42EDCIed6auTRU5tgML0a63oyxGTuFerwVviCP-QJ9TChWU9kXbK/s1600/Rotary+cert+-+Copy.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU1D20FBElpKDU0-oCNZ9tYFlh-tOqkSVWZX9O4NHoM0MiFjk30QW2J_GDx4WG_R0mbLuejQWXLjL2YZmNi3NibLjm42EDCIed6auTRU5tgML0a63oyxGTuFerwVviCP-QJ9TChWU9kXbK/s400/Rotary+cert+-+Copy.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><i>The Rotary International Certificate of Appreciation</i></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We would, very publicly, like to put on record our immense gratitude to Redbridge Rotary for its generous support to us over each of the last four years - and we look forward to its continuation.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We promised the club, in return for their support, to return next February with a short video of the opening of the new hall, for which they have contributed so much, to support.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOkwqsdGNwzvUw2xztV41auvJlxRfW2yNz4WJYTGLN928TKAnOQumDFk_ngzy4e9iQA-S-ECyh7qWQ6iIPv6DRhsQ4U2hFIhpnjLYWPIguH9-9GnMUxFNtU8DYeCtE0cu81Ow4M_Ysq-Gu/s1600/IMG_2472.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="font-size: medium; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOkwqsdGNwzvUw2xztV41auvJlxRfW2yNz4WJYTGLN928TKAnOQumDFk_ngzy4e9iQA-S-ECyh7qWQ6iIPv6DRhsQ4U2hFIhpnjLYWPIguH9-9GnMUxFNtU8DYeCtE0cu81Ow4M_Ysq-Gu/s400/IMG_2472.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><i>The old kitchen's cooking stoves</i></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr9TRIMO_ZiE0vVildKZJRLNIKlZd8NQp2amV-lizBG6UCPU1oc7UOfINH4Z0KXIpk2rqOdKE7BGNfX0IKd6ABXAaLFeMdKfwXOtmiP4sBWXYWutFve2Og-da0P4mAqG1KcgnhC_334Nov/s1600/IMG_2481.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr9TRIMO_ZiE0vVildKZJRLNIKlZd8NQp2amV-lizBG6UCPU1oc7UOfINH4Z0KXIpk2rqOdKE7BGNfX0IKd6ABXAaLFeMdKfwXOtmiP4sBWXYWutFve2Og-da0P4mAqG1KcgnhC_334Nov/s400/IMG_2481.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><i>"Furniture" in the old building, which<br /> made it unfit for multi-purpose use.<br /></i></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">They, like Beech Hill, and all of our generous sponsors really have helped transform young African lives, in ways in which it is difficult to appreciate from the comfort of our homes in the UK.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Thanks, one and all - onward to 2020 and the opening of the new hall!</span></div>
John Walkerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07186291200017823878noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6148102787354552919.post-45310498185758980012019-06-19T12:26:00.001+01:002019-06-19T12:36:39.199+01:00Beech Hill's generosity tops £8,000<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Beech Hill Community Primary School, Luton - which is twinned with Sohm Lower Basic school - recently held their second "Gambia Day" and raised over £2,000 for their linked school in The Gambia.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><i>Beech Hill's 2019 Gambia Day: some of the pupils<br /> "modelling" African masks we took for the occasion,<br /> all suitably dressed in Gambian flag colours, and <br />supervised by SSS's Sandra Walker,<br /> sporting her Gambian top</i></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">It was a "non-uniform" day in the school, and pupils were encouraged to go dressed in the red, blue and green colours of The Gambian flag. Sandra and John Walker, of Sohm Schools Support lead assemblies for the 900 pupils at the school, and were in attendance all day, sharing stories and watching the Luton children hard at work</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">Beech Hill pupils, hard at work,<br /> creating Gambian flags</span></i></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The day's school work was turned over to Gambia-related topics, as students wrote postcards home to their parents, based on an imaginary holiday in the tourist country of The Gambia. Other children drew and painted African scenes, from materials shown to them by our charity and accessed on the internet. There were African dance, song and story telling sessions; and at the end of the day some of the pupils' parents sold curries and other food, from donated products, with the proceeds going to the Gambian school.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><i>Painting and cutting out masks</i></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Over £2,000 was raised on the day, bringing the total fund raising efforts of Beech Hill's pupils, parents and staff to over £8,000 over the last two years.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Natalie Carson, deputy head of Beech Hill said: "The Sohm story has really captured the imagination of our pupils and parents, who have been delighted to help. I visited the school in The Gambia about 5 years ago, and know what a huge difference our students' efforts will make to improving the educational chances of these African youngsters. The Gambia work is great for extending our children's education and appreciation of the ways of life of people their same age in other countries."</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Some of the staff at Beech Hill have recently put a huge amount of work into creating an exhibition for the school's foyer, showing pupils and parents, alike, the results of some of the school-twinning.</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><i>Beech Hill's Sohm exhibition - <br />pride of place in the school foyer</i></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The exhibition shows: Sohm and Luton's youngsters work celebrating the twinning. There are "before" and "after" photos of the difference Luton's fund-raising has made to projects in Sohm. There are press cuttings of some of the excellent coverage Beech Hill has received from </span><i style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Luton Today</i><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">A key feature of the exhibit is the "building blocks of progress", this shows how far Beech Hill has come in raising its target of £10,000 for The Gambian school. Sohm School Support trustee, Sandra Walker said: </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">We are able to get "matched funding" from others for Beech Hill's efforts, which means we can soon start construction on our most ambitious project: a 30 metre hall and kitchen for Sohm Lower Basic school. This will replace a dangerous and dilapidated dining hall that was not fit for purpose.</span></blockquote>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhztEG-GT-253kKQdcD3iiqBQtoPydzkUDwNqzOkgC7MNMaojPaeKsm2Zv1h_a5P2MwaJyUoIJmsix2XSaA2BV7ltlYM3qGNJ2PCMCQAobkA0hdCzW6RnG-iQfRGumdV82ZG6lBjgaqJDAn/s1600/Beech+Hill+Display+-+2019+-+3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="768" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhztEG-GT-253kKQdcD3iiqBQtoPydzkUDwNqzOkgC7MNMaojPaeKsm2Zv1h_a5P2MwaJyUoIJmsix2XSaA2BV7ltlYM3qGNJ2PCMCQAobkA0hdCzW6RnG-iQfRGumdV82ZG6lBjgaqJDAn/s400/Beech+Hill+Display+-+2019+-+3.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><i>And ... the money raised by Beech Hill, <br />to date - in excess of £8,000 - well placed <br />to hit their £10,000 target by 2020.</i></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The new building will be multi-functional and act as a dining hall, gym, meeting room, assembly hall, prayer room and the village's first community hall. It will last until the Beech Hill students are themselves parents of primary school pupils in Luton. What a fabulous present and legacy they are giving to their Gambian friends! </span></blockquote>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Meanwhile, we undertake to keep you updated, as progress is made on the construction of the new building and hope to be there for its opening in the new year, which we will record and share on this site. </span>John Walkerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07186291200017823878noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6148102787354552919.post-59830833893526320972019-04-09T15:31:00.001+01:002019-04-09T15:31:04.524+01:00Brilliant response<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Lamin Saidy, Sohm Lower Basic school's acting head, has had a great response from our supporters to his letter of thanks to us, published, below, in February this year.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>The Luton Herald</i>, the main newspaper circulating in the catchment area of Beech Hill , the school with which Sohm Lower Basic is twinned, published the article below summarising Lamin's letter to us. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We thank journalist, Jo Gravett, and the paper, for spreading the message in such a positive way.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We sent Lamin a copy and he expressed his appreciation: " <span style="background-color: white;">Thank you John. we are very much grateful to you. This is wonderful."</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;">Lamin went on to say:</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I would like to inform you that our school has come top in the recently concluded Cluster MINI CCM (Consultative Committee Meeting). The aim of this exercise is to gauge the performance of the school in the area of Leadership and Management, Curriculum Delivery, Pupils' Performance and Learner Welfare and School Environment.</span></blockquote>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Out of the ten schools in the Cluster, including the Upper Basic Schools and the Senior Secondary School, we came out first in ranking. Our performance in this exercise is as a result of your unflinching support to the school.</span></blockquote>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We hope that the relationship we start with our friends grow from strength to strength.</span></blockquote>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Thank you to you all. </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">With love from Lamin.</span></blockquote>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Meanwhile, a senior executive of a major UK aid charity who is a supporter of our charity, in a personal capacity, contacted us. Having seen Lamin's response to the newspaper article, he said:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">That's all very satisfying and shows how investment can trigger great results.</span></blockquote>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I thought the sentence from Lamin Saidy summed up how development should work: 'Our performance in this exercise is as a result of your unflinching support of the school'. Investment unleashes the inherent potential - brilliant!</span></blockquote>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Praise - and support - indeed, from one who knows!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Out and about</span></h3>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Sohm is, by Gambian standards, a fairly remote village. One of the great challenges is for the children there to become familiar with the wider, outside, world. A couple of events recently have addressed this.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Independence day in The Gambia, as in all post colonial countries, is a big occasion for national celebration and pride, and some of Sohm's youngest got a very early taste of it, as the photo below shows.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">The nursery school celebrated the day in a local village, in a ceremony attended by 140 other nursery schools in the region. The photos shows some of the Sohm contingent at the march past.</span></div>
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Meanwhile, one of the Lower Basic school's older girls is making a name for herself in the national athletics arena. There was a national schools' athletics meet at the National Stadium in March, to celebrate the 53rd anniversary of independence.</div>
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Sohm Lower Basic's Nyima Badjie, representing both the school and its region came second in the high jump for her age group. Nyima, shown below, is a pen pal of one of the youngsters at Beech Hill primary school. She established her mark with almost no training or coaching. </div>
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Safe to say, if she were in the UK she would already be signed up to a major athletics club and being groomed as a potential competitor in the 2024 Olympics. Sadly, Nyima's talents will not be so well nurtured in The Gambia.</div>
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Despite, or possibly because, of this, Nyima deserves our greatest congratulations!</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><i>Well done, Nyima Badjie<br /> - champion high jumper</i></span></td></tr>
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<br />John Walkerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07186291200017823878noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6148102787354552919.post-49053294582201007742019-02-26T16:15:00.003+00:002019-02-26T16:29:12.162+00:00Letter of thanks from Sohm Lower Basic School<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">We have recently received this unsolicited letter of thanks from Lamin Saidy, the acting head teacher of the Sohm Lower Basic school (the previous head, unfortunately, died in January of this year, just prior to our visit to The Gambia. In his own words, he summarises most of what we have been attempting to do to assist his school, over recent years.</span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">It is a satisfying read for us. We hope you agree - and thank you for your on-going support to our small charity.</span></span></div>
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<span id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1551193003473_4166" lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Our sincere gratitude to the Sohm Schools Support (SSS) and Jersey Gambia Schools Trust (JGST) for the wonderful contributing role they are playing in supporting our development agendas. Through the engagement of SSS and JGST in our quest to develop Sohm Lower Basic School into model rural school, a lot has been achieved on the infrastructure and teaching and learning equipment. </span></span></blockquote>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Each time John and Robin are seen in the school, everyone feels happy, even the pupils. Their every visit in the school is impressive but this year’s visit is particularly very impressive. This is manifested in the way our friends were received in the school. The welcoming involves personalities from the village and the staff and pupils of the school. </span></span></blockquote>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4aPdF-JccbRPAqwrcTY9Vi9BqeRTDKfAy1ZTKtyqRIx_sXv-s9W6kP2urWkqo8eEPBo5BCE9pem3m5KVuQJiG35yrvZBHF2affI5qwQVLLa8eGQnegYSERLJ_xWb1dtWNQeT6EN4S-5Nq/s1600/IMG_3055.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4aPdF-JccbRPAqwrcTY9Vi9BqeRTDKfAy1ZTKtyqRIx_sXv-s9W6kP2urWkqo8eEPBo5BCE9pem3m5KVuQJiG35yrvZBHF2affI5qwQVLLa8eGQnegYSERLJ_xWb1dtWNQeT6EN4S-5Nq/s400/IMG_3055.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><i>This year's welcome</i></span></td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: justify;">There was a short session organised purposely to complement the effort of all our friends through John and Robin by the community awarding presents and certificates to John, Robin and Kakai. It is our wish for every partner to have a form of reward but we do not have</span><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="_GoBack" rel="nofollow" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #196ad4; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; text-decoration: underline;"></a><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: justify;"> the capacity to do so but we believe that God will deservedly reward all those who in one way or the other contributing to the development and welfare of our school.</span></blockquote>
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<span id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1551193003473_4168" lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Our two friends (SSS and JGST) always listen to our problems and try to make sure that the problems known are no more than a threat to jeopardise our progress. This is how we got improvements on the library, sick room, water supply, toilets, fencing, and mending of the dilapidated classroom block and, of course, the electrification of the whole school. </span></span></blockquote>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Each of the projects accords us an opportunity to adding a value to our equipment and assets.</span></span></blockquote>
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<span id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1551193003473_4164" lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The first big project implemented in the school was the electrification project before the installation of which we had to travel to the nearby towns to process our documents. The installation of electricity accords us the opportunity to get equipment such as computer laptops, desk tops, printers and copiers. Having the equipment in the school relieve us from travelling to the town only to copy or print a document. </span></span></blockquote>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The time wasted did not helping the day to day running of the school. Time was wasted and there was reduction in human resources. The one running the errand has to leave a gap on the ground unattended. Today we are not leaving our post only for printing or copying rather, we have our own equipment that we use at our level to do our work. All the facilities we are enjoying today came through the support of our friends SSS and JGST.</span></span></blockquote>
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<span id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1551193003473_4162" lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Following the electrification project was the library and sick room were refurbished simultaneously. </span></span></blockquote>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Before the renovation took place in the library, there is nothing that we did not do to keep away the termites. All the efforts taken to repel the termites went in vain. For the sick room, there was a space for it, but nothing could be done there at that material point in time (as there were no resources). </span></span></blockquote>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5Q8YbLga2qdH8hdl_u_ok0q3FkV6EI5eUUIWozc32Cu8H7Ud5J6ASUtGkZhA5XudbEiIb_WI1mupVQtXdK3DYF8cZ-76ounbSIGBUPzkepAZMxesGRqk1vwBSfoPxQ6Urr7AcznWaWFGI/s1600/IMG_3080.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5Q8YbLga2qdH8hdl_u_ok0q3FkV6EI5eUUIWozc32Cu8H7Ud5J6ASUtGkZhA5XudbEiIb_WI1mupVQtXdK3DYF8cZ-76ounbSIGBUPzkepAZMxesGRqk1vwBSfoPxQ6Urr7AcznWaWFGI/s400/IMG_3080.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><i>The restored library</i></span></td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: justify;">We have children coming from nearby villages walking a distance of two to three kilometres, whenever they fall sick we have no place to rest them much more to administer a first aid treatment.</span></blockquote>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The first aid kit box was empty with no drugs and no other first aid equipment. This poor sick child had to be sent back home unattended. Our friends (SSS and JGST) felt this situation with us and responded to our plight, making our library termite free and fixed our sick room for us, providing first aid equipment and arranging first aid training for the whole staff.</span></span></blockquote>
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<span id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1551193003473_4112" lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">We had only one water source for the school and this single pump was shared with the community. Our friends (SSS and JGST) intervened to improve the limited water supply in the school. We now have a stand pipe at the staff quarters, one at the garden, two for children and one behind the classroom, which children use when going to the toilet.</span></span></blockquote>
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<span id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1551193003473_4170" lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The most recent development in the school is the fencing project and the renovation of six classrooms. These two came at a time we needed them most. There were cracks on the walls, cracks on the floor broken doors and damage on the roof of a classroom. The cracks on the walls affected the blackboards, preventing teachers from writing on the blackboard. </span></span></blockquote>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The whole of the six classroom block was renovated and painted, blackboards repaired and the broken doors fixed. The roof was fixed, so we no longer fear for books and papers getting wet or unauthorised people entering the classrooms after school hours, to tamper with our materials.</span></span></blockquote>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzYQTfbfgVDcCKjL6AKjRePRs-tjGTkJ-2xCkcUxuk9Mc75ShNTPu9qd5PKvHuCl4V2SFgcqLDVtGS_L3roXHs2gh8-tJbM22jhsCU-kcW2ISAe1SAKVgTy7OXZKSc-aFEPoT5BhQc4bz0/s1600/IMG_3098.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzYQTfbfgVDcCKjL6AKjRePRs-tjGTkJ-2xCkcUxuk9Mc75ShNTPu9qd5PKvHuCl4V2SFgcqLDVtGS_L3roXHs2gh8-tJbM22jhsCU-kcW2ISAe1SAKVgTy7OXZKSc-aFEPoT5BhQc4bz0/s400/IMG_3098.JPG" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><i>One of the six refurbished<br /> classrooms</i></span></td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: justify;">Our friends (SSS and JGST) are not only supportive on the side of infrastructure, but are also supportive on the side of stationery. They provide an annual supply of stationery based on what the school needs. The stationery received every year always address our needs, meaning we are getting the required quantity and quality of materials that will serve our teaching and learning needs through to the next year. </span></blockquote>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD9mOz8keY8POPS8yOinlD5dO-xohK1LKUWq3aJZM5Hto7dptPzYnP8aFGMktIwTSexqbqZ76slr3kFeN-HjQdamjBqgXy6Qtlu8ojvsIoujVGBmdY3OaGIORvvcjIWlzwfQGPlPhGdhtZ/s1600/IMG_3128.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD9mOz8keY8POPS8yOinlD5dO-xohK1LKUWq3aJZM5Hto7dptPzYnP8aFGMktIwTSexqbqZ76slr3kFeN-HjQdamjBqgXy6Qtlu8ojvsIoujVGBmdY3OaGIORvvcjIWlzwfQGPlPhGdhtZ/s400/IMG_3128.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><i>Pupils showcasing some of this <br />year's stationery supplies</i></span></td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: justify;">There is no child in the school without the basic school materials such as: books, pens, pencils, erasers, rulers, sharpeners. Teachers also have vanguards (poster paper), markers, rulers, glue, a laminator, a television set and cello tape, to prepare the learning materials in their classes.</span></blockquote>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj48wTaMd7l1W6eEQLAYvAa2Vl6BwCg-1hynXDk8OcOBIo3OBUvGbT2pmqquvr7WRwUgcZ2uhgzqJqFyG7frcazCCxjvDVuicEohW_JOFx5sZdB1fXKSalqsN9_KdSGeQSvHNZKJOgdB5Pb/s1600/IMG_3136.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj48wTaMd7l1W6eEQLAYvAa2Vl6BwCg-1hynXDk8OcOBIo3OBUvGbT2pmqquvr7WRwUgcZ2uhgzqJqFyG7frcazCCxjvDVuicEohW_JOFx5sZdB1fXKSalqsN9_KdSGeQSvHNZKJOgdB5Pb/s400/IMG_3136.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><i>Educational DVD (supplied by SSS) <br />captivating children, on TV (supplied by SSS), <br />running on electricity <br />(paid for and introduced by SSS)</i></span></td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: justify;">The support of our friends does not only stop at the aforementioned assistance they render to us.</span></blockquote>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The pending project proposed for the school this year is the school hall with a kitchen and a store.</span></span></blockquote>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoe2BuffOvkk1wiGEJSe6wqmUlbn2M-moZaacis0zg4AzlDgL5-upbu4lrd1vVrfY5sOAJnep1aLwXEdfbXYOrr4ew-LyISCGsxDHbR6KOnXzwqM4EsWt9J3x0n0bkymh6YQfSRJ9ys6d-/s1600/Scan0004.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1164" data-original-width="1600" height="290" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoe2BuffOvkk1wiGEJSe6wqmUlbn2M-moZaacis0zg4AzlDgL5-upbu4lrd1vVrfY5sOAJnep1aLwXEdfbXYOrr4ew-LyISCGsxDHbR6KOnXzwqM4EsWt9J3x0n0bkymh6YQfSRJ9ys6d-/s400/Scan0004.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><i>Architect's drawings for the new <br />hall/kitchen/store block - this year's major project</i></span></td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: justify;">The store, as proposed, will be fully furnished with movable chairs, electrified and fitted with equipment such as projector for school based workshops and meetings as well as audio visual classes. </span></blockquote>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The hall should also have a stage basically for sport, drama, role play and other educational activities. This same hall will serve as the school assembly hall.</span></span></blockquote>
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<span id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1551193003473_4174" lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Another wonderful initiative we have from our friends (SSS and JGST) is that we are linked with First Aid For the Gambia, where we now get our annual first aid supply for the sick room and they arrange biannual first aid training for the teachers. We just had the third supply of equipment and supplies and the second first aid training, on Friday 25<sup>th</sup> January 2019. </span></span></blockquote>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIBrz0w9jp2RcgZgbIIHUfBCZ5aW3hNDp4ix10KTKzjTbgCjvTj-BvbQ0ym4tyupxSo-Pj4eLWxmH_C6DdKFxKyl8_ksze_wSPsKr4drieW8LyKAInneFxZfBICbVWRa-ZugT6uMo4P1ld/s1600/IMG_0137.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1184" data-original-width="888" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIBrz0w9jp2RcgZgbIIHUfBCZ5aW3hNDp4ix10KTKzjTbgCjvTj-BvbQ0ym4tyupxSo-Pj4eLWxmH_C6DdKFxKyl8_ksze_wSPsKr4drieW8LyKAInneFxZfBICbVWRa-ZugT6uMo4P1ld/s400/IMG_0137.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><i>First Aid training and <br />supplies, each year</i></span></td></tr>
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<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: justify;">A P.O. Box was also opened for the school in February 2019 to make mailing easy and secure for the school. Last year our friends in Luton sent us letters and packages, which, until today, we have not received. </span></blockquote>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">This time we are hopeful that our mail will not get lost. Anything to be sent to the school will come through:</span></span></blockquote>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Sohm Lower Basic School</span></span><span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">P.O. Box 5380</span></span><span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Brikama</span></span><span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">West Coast Region</span></span><span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The Gambia</span></span><span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">West Africa </span></span></blockquote>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">It is in our plans to make good use of the resources at our disposal in a positive way, in order to bring about greater opportunity to attract a culture of being supportive in the day to day running of the school including feeding the school children. </span></blockquote>
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<span id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1551193003473_4201" lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">We want improvement in our water supply in order intensify gardening and farming within the school.</span></span></blockquote>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The Mothers' club is an instrumental partner, as far as grooming and caring of school children is concerned. We have high hopes of this club which is already established in the school. We are relying on the able- mothers club to come to our aid, by invitation, to be part of us in the garden to grow more crops and feed our children who will sometimes come to school hungry. </span></span></blockquote>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCT1C-kyAKUpMhcoB6hMMjFbifVp5LE0sVYWmof7uN-eOPyOyocfVN0Ui35_csr6ES3uMQPQcbmCjzNwypsGCvHk7TsjygS2iZ9zRYnMVSMQrfzBDTboKngB8cNODTPBuXsPq2RpHNYl5z/s1600/IMG_2487.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCT1C-kyAKUpMhcoB6hMMjFbifVp5LE0sVYWmof7uN-eOPyOyocfVN0Ui35_csr6ES3uMQPQcbmCjzNwypsGCvHk7TsjygS2iZ9zRYnMVSMQrfzBDTboKngB8cNODTPBuXsPq2RpHNYl5z/s400/IMG_2487.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><i>School gardens, watered by new pump <br />- helping to grow food for the hungry <br />children's school breakfasts</i></span></td></tr>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The success of this project is assisted by the more efficient water supply with efficient garden tools and farming implements at our disposal.</span></span></blockquote>
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<span id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1551193003473_4200" lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">In conclusion, we have to extend our sincere gratitude to the staff and pupils of Beech Hill Primary School, Luton and the management of Rotary International, Redbridge. </span></span></blockquote>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikh61dLy939mxPYUzPDe6IkA39bKDS48jBNkmrZ6Je7-ZjrFER-Nirv0wh63_2r-vNoUAmKZ39DlfskTtqOcn6JStlxzt22__DuTnCDlAs6Tlo0ZZaJtiWTkSaNeONsNnWJEQwQeu-Y5d0/s1600/IMG_3143.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1047" data-original-width="1600" height="261" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikh61dLy939mxPYUzPDe6IkA39bKDS48jBNkmrZ6Je7-ZjrFER-Nirv0wh63_2r-vNoUAmKZ39DlfskTtqOcn6JStlxzt22__DuTnCDlAs6Tlo0ZZaJtiWTkSaNeONsNnWJEQwQeu-Y5d0/s400/IMG_3143.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><i>Acting head, Lamin Saidy, showing his <br />appreciation to two of our largest supporters</i></span></td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">We would not forget the personalities of John, Robin, Carol, Sandra, Natalie and their Gambian counter Mr. Kakai Sanyang for their unflinching support to make things possible the way they are with us here in the Gambia. </span></blockquote>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">We alone can tell how much your support means to us. Everybody knows about your support in our school. </span></span></blockquote>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Lamin Saidy - acting head teacher, Sohm Lower Basic School </span></blockquote>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">20 February, 2019 </span></blockquote>
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John Walkerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07186291200017823878noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6148102787354552919.post-66194208420453951062019-02-11T15:08:00.000+00:002019-02-11T15:08:23.061+00:002019 trip - huge progress, on so many fronts<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Our most successful visit to Sohm, to date, will be the feature of a series of articles over the coming months. The achievements of the trip, however, can be expressed in 10 headlines and photos, below.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">1. Given a great welcome by the school.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtPeLYoCaDe0bKnAOtHrh_B28VmbFFlUPkhCZ85L21rcgbSkSxzfGEMLMwA1GRmT5yvPHmSzJnAYeKlr-Cs3FndTWvCv3CzAsEEC9J35JYL4pzuCF80TTgEW6QnUSHWSz7weNXeuNqU-8s/s1600/IMG_3055.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtPeLYoCaDe0bKnAOtHrh_B28VmbFFlUPkhCZ85L21rcgbSkSxzfGEMLMwA1GRmT5yvPHmSzJnAYeKlr-Cs3FndTWvCv3CzAsEEC9J35JYL4pzuCF80TTgEW6QnUSHWSz7weNXeuNqU-8s/s400/IMG_3055.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">2. Witnessed transformed classroom block, courtesy of the generosity of pupils from Beech Hill school, Luton and Redbridge Rotary Club.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixWtNczWigJVbuz0bi7Uj7dW7S5YULzFcFHiCVBYqHOH55gD0kFZttEp8dWZAY5PLM8Ws_5L2F3tn9uFQykrAQRfC4Ai_LMDSkCZThsyPioXlKb7lCDqf4Bb6ww2QTrz1UhBIX4Dgcybs6/s1600/IMG_3143.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1047" data-original-width="1600" height="261" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixWtNczWigJVbuz0bi7Uj7dW7S5YULzFcFHiCVBYqHOH55gD0kFZttEp8dWZAY5PLM8Ws_5L2F3tn9uFQykrAQRfC4Ai_LMDSkCZThsyPioXlKb7lCDqf4Bb6ww2QTrz1UhBIX4Dgcybs6/s400/IMG_3143.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggzUqLIhmoIsKhO5EbX3lSeQRM3IYAmckRWylxnWaiZwYvpDFS-XMgYi3rVwU_cnOZPzGgz8e8ki9IKbVcHmQ-NQZoSIBn6bF5mDlrVzeVHhxRh7Y9oDz47Qgr8ZuevBz7a0n3Mbls5aOc/s1600/IMG_3125.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggzUqLIhmoIsKhO5EbX3lSeQRM3IYAmckRWylxnWaiZwYvpDFS-XMgYi3rVwU_cnOZPzGgz8e8ki9IKbVcHmQ-NQZoSIBn6bF5mDlrVzeVHhxRh7Y9oDz47Qgr8ZuevBz7a0n3Mbls5aOc/s400/IMG_3125.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">3. Saw superb delivery of First Aid training to 10 adults and three pupils, plus the delivery of upto date stock of medical supplies, from the ever-excellent First Aid 4 Gambia.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDfsiQWhbMrfmUoebiJov6uBvlDwmK8UTZCFj1UfbE8rrHTk3uvI5KoUDtxqOHJsrdH9EKowK6XpcozyZ49neG90L4iUBSeBdwb4k1AoFFRI1M9Fk9sKA_jrOCHE4Ntph6tWDjRT6DP1sl/s1600/02.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="583" data-original-width="645" height="289" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDfsiQWhbMrfmUoebiJov6uBvlDwmK8UTZCFj1UfbE8rrHTk3uvI5KoUDtxqOHJsrdH9EKowK6XpcozyZ49neG90L4iUBSeBdwb4k1AoFFRI1M9Fk9sKA_jrOCHE4Ntph6tWDjRT6DP1sl/s320/02.JPG" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4ILEPndA2QCjxP2oO3UAPhhuZy4pKPdT1hrueIEz3a44u2zBEYtXY_mUGDKAKoSQTnRD7pCm-7daSVhQnIjZ8r4Quricwz7zjVq8YY7wZaljh-nb0GqQlz0ko5NndfQI0CSBdXKbtjRRP/s1600/04.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="837" data-original-width="601" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4ILEPndA2QCjxP2oO3UAPhhuZy4pKPdT1hrueIEz3a44u2zBEYtXY_mUGDKAKoSQTnRD7pCm-7daSVhQnIjZ8r4Quricwz7zjVq8YY7wZaljh-nb0GqQlz0ko5NndfQI0CSBdXKbtjRRP/s320/04.JPG" width="229" /></a><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">4. Signed off plans for a new 30 metre hall and kitchen block - our biggest project yet - to be built this year.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfEtwM_J6DujUjvcn-9_kDrfUeaPU4gtzsXGz-ZStU0pnoQeQUi3SQ_ztFfbVcJl7C_Y_P6dwSz-gHS6CoZDlJc2SHvVRzUNhP7M3VTirc0UExg35m3b0HdyMLj4JjIytg5NVBivQz-0x1/s1600/Scan0004.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1164" data-original-width="1600" height="290" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfEtwM_J6DujUjvcn-9_kDrfUeaPU4gtzsXGz-ZStU0pnoQeQUi3SQ_ztFfbVcJl7C_Y_P6dwSz-gHS6CoZDlJc2SHvVRzUNhP7M3VTirc0UExg35m3b0HdyMLj4JjIytg5NVBivQz-0x1/s400/Scan0004.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">5. Delivered £1k+ of stationery to meet all needs of 450 pupils and their staff for the next year.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheLRU5gUnkFwp1FcR2h2Ml1ffug6SyC8WX_q_kbcveEW2VSH1QgJhCdAfnXgJuLq-Ae44pzCbAIw5BMzXI32AeCmbEgKZv7zh_miiVVXvp_jgwbF1IpUdLV_STDPfujlXeheXgFVhr45o1/s1600/IMG_3128.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheLRU5gUnkFwp1FcR2h2Ml1ffug6SyC8WX_q_kbcveEW2VSH1QgJhCdAfnXgJuLq-Ae44pzCbAIw5BMzXI32AeCmbEgKZv7zh_miiVVXvp_jgwbF1IpUdLV_STDPfujlXeheXgFVhr45o1/s400/IMG_3128.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">6. Saw delighted pupils and teachers captivated by some Jolly Phonics DVD's, we took over - courtesy of some e.bay bargains in the UK</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizAPVZ90u-LKPQFC4FpW9aa-eV2Xa-Ayv74a-RIDYsq7WCjPcrIOB6q9kcmi6_5XtEGo4pI15S6SJJkPLNbKS195FQMFYhlQru18vTYYENoBgpHPoMbvQBC_b-NGglzYfpJv7SYnNCgycB/s1600/IMG_2993.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1279" data-original-width="1600" height="318" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizAPVZ90u-LKPQFC4FpW9aa-eV2Xa-Ayv74a-RIDYsq7WCjPcrIOB6q9kcmi6_5XtEGo4pI15S6SJJkPLNbKS195FQMFYhlQru18vTYYENoBgpHPoMbvQBC_b-NGglzYfpJv7SYnNCgycB/s400/IMG_2993.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL8FHOBYAYpSzYR1Vn4FJ3v04WUrJH1SVjvp0cWYg6pV-cEMRrGZd2lMS2TkRLPzqsb0HogoB8j-KR8IvpzKXiN4Pyp1-zEgEYrEQRoafbxTQb7GG-f7LEBeWyrs03oldPOxj7fflAmGdp/s1600/IMG_3138.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL8FHOBYAYpSzYR1Vn4FJ3v04WUrJH1SVjvp0cWYg6pV-cEMRrGZd2lMS2TkRLPzqsb0HogoB8j-KR8IvpzKXiN4Pyp1-zEgEYrEQRoafbxTQb7GG-f7LEBeWyrs03oldPOxj7fflAmGdp/s400/IMG_3138.JPG" width="400" /></a></span></div>
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7. Picked up over 90 letters, drawings and photos from the pupils to take to their pen pals in Luton.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">8. Sourced potential furniture - with ideas of how to pay for it - for the new hall, for next year.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_YZQQAJwAbU9MtaIGYIhDipkRO7g92KrpgmC45j7B9MD1twXFf0duxnPnPjWOWR98BZVwrYlBUTdyV_TU4JlZ0cpvMHbcfRt-Ck06sDdtaegDVq4N_4CEkmcHsIbT2V3aH0WPTMLyefeZ/s1600/IMG_3356.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_YZQQAJwAbU9MtaIGYIhDipkRO7g92KrpgmC45j7B9MD1twXFf0duxnPnPjWOWR98BZVwrYlBUTdyV_TU4JlZ0cpvMHbcfRt-Ck06sDdtaegDVq4N_4CEkmcHsIbT2V3aH0WPTMLyefeZ/s400/IMG_3356.JPG" width="266" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">9. Spoke to Banjul Rotary Club, about possible future co-operation.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFY2tUBzDgQ8aZqw41YJxZNWg8_-_CnDBqZd4a6IUU0BapW04FLXych0tSl-b0K6XQyx7SEcD6fmouHJgY2q813_QAR-6MflkZwEi9HP3uD1TZbqt2AhZ_VqnF2uj6BmAXzPGRXlHTvygn/s1600/IMG_3002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="263" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFY2tUBzDgQ8aZqw41YJxZNWg8_-_CnDBqZd4a6IUU0BapW04FLXych0tSl-b0K6XQyx7SEcD6fmouHJgY2q813_QAR-6MflkZwEi9HP3uD1TZbqt2AhZ_VqnF2uj6BmAXzPGRXlHTvygn/s400/IMG_3002.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">10. Tracked down possible future training packages for the staff at Sohm Lower Basic School.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Future blogs will add flesh to the bones of the above achievements.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">As ever, we welcome your comments and donations - to help us continue to change lives in the small Gambian village of Sohm.</span>John Walkerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07186291200017823878noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6148102787354552919.post-27382295291781903722018-09-10T12:33:00.002+01:002018-10-05T21:02:44.235+01:00New term, new start<h2 style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Classroom refurbishment almost complete</span></h2>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">As the new school year starts in Sohm, we are delighted to provide a progress report on our ambitious Sohm 2020 project.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">This year we have established two great partnership projects to help raise funds for our charity: Beech Hill Primary school in Luton and Redbridge Rotary club. As a result of this, we embarked on our most ambitious project to date - which we have labelled Sohm 2020. Our object is to raise £20,000 by the year 2020.</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><i>Friendship agreement between<br /> Beech Hill and Sohm LBS</i></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">We have pledged to repair and refurbish six classrooms in a block suffering from serious decay, and to completely replace the school's condemned-as-unfit kitchen and dining hall area with a new kitchen and fit-for-purpose multi- functional (dining, sports, assembly, meeting, prayers, performance etc) hall.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Progress to date has exceeded our wildest expectations. As we have previously mentioned, Beech Hill school has established a friendship agreement with the Sohm Lower Basic school. The Luton school held a fund raising day towards the end of last term for Sohm - and have now raised almost £5,000 for the school.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Our good friend Tony Betts has become the President of Redbridge Rotary club this year and nominated SSS as one of his three charities (Rotary International and a local Redbridge one, being the other two).</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><i>Big thanks to Redbridge Rotary club</i></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Generous funding from Rotary has meant that we have been able to get a move on. As Sohm LBS returns after the summer break, we are delighted to be able to share that progress, via photos, of the refurbishment of the six-classroom block - nearing completion, as I write.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The four photos, below are of the sorry state of the block before the refurbing over the summer break. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The next four photos show repining, repairs and painting work under way, over the summer holiday.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The six classroom block's refurbishment is ready for re-occupation, after the summer break, thanks to the hard work of contractors - Future In Our Hands - and the generous funding of Beech Hill and Redbridge Rotary.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Estimates have been provided for replacing the unfit kitchen and dining hall block, and we are working with the school to firm up their requirements for the replacement block. Below is a reminder of the dreadful state of the block to be replaced.</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><i>Unstable and unsafe roof</i></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFRcsHZULKB7VOaYkyyrdjvbXNsMESg-4Pc8Oi8eYxU6-p4iwEmSCosmkIm_HHOPY-0hmdtoriCN3yAeu2COROauDMzcSWAFkqIdJ0Yx2gVWSb7wRjWUgxmkdpUhLUh8TrLrNoh6HyEVN0/s1600/IMG_2756.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFRcsHZULKB7VOaYkyyrdjvbXNsMESg-4Pc8Oi8eYxU6-p4iwEmSCosmkIm_HHOPY-0hmdtoriCN3yAeu2COROauDMzcSWAFkqIdJ0Yx2gVWSb7wRjWUgxmkdpUhLUh8TrLrNoh6HyEVN0/s400/IMG_2756.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><i>Holes in walls and door frames ready to fall out</i></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGSuWLJ6FA2lo2-cDupL32KePKZaFBPAbf8jgSImO4b07TJf9xGAGQDCv9zSyvUAboA9Pi8iZ5cvN9lFvm05uuiRB8OyZHn__v9dQZRVwMos6rl8YhkXPRMfbnUVq6oN-rpja-04qeuJmW/s1600/IMG_2470.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGSuWLJ6FA2lo2-cDupL32KePKZaFBPAbf8jgSImO4b07TJf9xGAGQDCv9zSyvUAboA9Pi8iZ5cvN9lFvm05uuiRB8OyZHn__v9dQZRVwMos6rl8YhkXPRMfbnUVq6oN-rpja-04qeuJmW/s400/IMG_2470.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><i>Kitchen, unfit for purpose</i></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiufjsfQ0risKjf66Ez5jrhpADEH3UvavrTajBnYthVVzjwjQaA0RqlVrwNYqua2pEQf4xksKBA3o7CkNYR3owHbAEadIS9w0-hm2MZB8BVGVCIARCeQYntpMelXvk9qszR8hPT5hVOcIN_/s1600/IMG_2471.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiufjsfQ0risKjf66Ez5jrhpADEH3UvavrTajBnYthVVzjwjQaA0RqlVrwNYqua2pEQf4xksKBA3o7CkNYR3owHbAEadIS9w0-hm2MZB8BVGVCIARCeQYntpMelXvk9qszR8hPT5hVOcIN_/s400/IMG_2471.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><i>Roof in danger of collapse</i></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ58-C4Q8t_8frmPfUsX9xwYOqeFrK2nrMT4PSNBx45Fn9d_xg7eszdLvKo6P3lz6k58Cr6QF44clwOCVhXunvOY-9M6Nbzect2OzDMlF8vH-K2DRiuJUQY0lQZ9lFelSH9apVBvZQy_3Y/s1600/IMG_2481.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ58-C4Q8t_8frmPfUsX9xwYOqeFrK2nrMT4PSNBx45Fn9d_xg7eszdLvKo6P3lz6k58Cr6QF44clwOCVhXunvOY-9M6Nbzect2OzDMlF8vH-K2DRiuJUQY0lQZ9lFelSH9apVBvZQy_3Y/s400/IMG_2481.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><i>Fixed concrete blocks for dining area, <br />meaning it is completely unusable for anything else</i></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The contractors, meanwhile, have not let the grass grow under their feet on this; they have already demolished the unfit block, ready for constructing the new on.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">No real pressure on us, then - just another £10k to find over the next eighteen months, in order to replace it!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Come on - dig behind the backs of your sofas!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<h3 style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">October 2018 update</span></h3>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The great work that Beech Hill school, Luton has done in helping restore the classrooms at Sohm Lower Basic school was recognised on the 4 October edition of <i>The Luton Herald and Post</i>.Thanks to them for the coverage - and of course, to Beech Hill for providing them with a great story!</span></div>
<h3 style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrBTqzwAIvv_L_-83EgE3tgBIWNYP-3C5VWKTjmueCMhLZfDQqhFBiIa_tjnAOyLzYDXxAvwuEtWOmGDCREUgOtnb0EuKrHpuqFhxtsRPJ1IPEFsLF7GvATgizYGypAIQE4TWu63BfXGWp/s1600/Luton+Herald+and+Post.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1463" data-original-width="1095" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrBTqzwAIvv_L_-83EgE3tgBIWNYP-3C5VWKTjmueCMhLZfDQqhFBiIa_tjnAOyLzYDXxAvwuEtWOmGDCREUgOtnb0EuKrHpuqFhxtsRPJ1IPEFsLF7GvATgizYGypAIQE4TWu63BfXGWp/s640/Luton+Herald+and+Post.jpg" width="478" /></a></h3>
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John Walkerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07186291200017823878noreply@blogger.com0