Who's Who - UK

Trustees Sandra Walker (secretary), Rose Phillips (chair) and John Walker (treasurer)

The trustees are London-based and can be contacted via info@sohmschoolssupport.org.uk.  They simply front a much larger group of sponsors, donors and supporters, without whose help the charity could not exist.

If you would like to find out more about the charity, or have an illustrated talk about it, contact the trustees via e.mail and we will make every endeavour to come and discuss the charity, its successes and hopes for the future. We will also be able to show you how you can help our aims and objectives, in very practical ways.

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Who's Who - Sohm

We enjoy the closest support of Babucarr Suwareh, the Regional Director of Education and the two school heads, Ismail Sambou, (Senior school) and Gibril Bojang (Lower Basic) . We work closely with the staff and PTAs of both schools and ensure that all of our plans meet with their prior approval and agreement.

Regional Education Director, Babucarr Suawreh with Sandra
on his inspection of the school, in February 2012

We work very closely with Gibril Bojang,  the head of the Lower Basic School, his staff and PTA.

Sohm Lower Basic School head, Gibril Bojang

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Tourism - when and how

The Gambia is a winter tourist destination (November - May) for northern European countries, with virtually uninterrupted sunshine, no rain and high day time (30's) temperatures.

It is relatively cheap to get to by direct flights from the UK, via Thomas Cook and Monarch Airlines. There are plenty of self-catering holidays opportunities and packages are provided mainly by The Gambia Experience and Thomas Cook Holidays.

Most tourists head for the Atlantic coast, just south of the uninspiring capital Banjul - a half hour's ride from the country's only international airport. Favourite resorts include Bakau, Fajara, Kotu, Senegambia, Kololi and Cape Point.

Sun-drenched beaches on The Gambia's Atlantic coast

Trips along the Gambia river, visiting the former slave forts of Georgetown and James' Island, are popular, as are trips to the Wassu stones - West Africa's mini Stonehenge. The Gambia is home to a small range number of wild animals, including a varietiesy of monkeys, crocodiles, hippos and snakes.  The country is famous for hosting a large range of native birds; it is a favoured destination for bird-watchers.

The Wassu stones, The Gambia's very own mini-Stonehenge!

• The Country - the whats and wheres
• Education - who does what
• Tourism - when and how

Education - who does what

Gambia's education system is based on the British system. It has:

• Six years of primary school - grades 1-6. Sohm Lower Basic School is the main provider in our area

Students in year 6 at Sohm Lower Basic School

• Three years of Junior Secondary School.  Many students in Sohm have travelled to the near-by Kofutu for this, but as the village's senior school is developing are being educated in Sohm. 
• Three years of Senior Secondary School - years 10 -12, the Sohm Senior's School's traditional function.

Public examinations are taken at the end of Year 6, and we have helped the Lower Basic School prepare for these both last and this year.  They are also taken at the end of Year 9 - prior to the intake joining the Senior Secondary School, and at year 12 - the end of the formal school education.

The examination pass rates of pupils entering the Senior Secondary School are currently poor, as are those when they leave it.  Addressing this, in the future, is a priority for our charity.

• The Country - the whats and wheres
• Education - who does what
• Tourism - when and how

The Country - the whats and wheres

The Gambia is Africa's smallest mainland country, with a population of 1.7million.  It is a former British colony that strides the banks of the river Gambia. Apart from its 50-mile long Atlantic coast, the country is surrounded by the French speaking Senegal.

The capital is Banjul, a 6-hour flight from UK airports.  The country is English speaking and on the same time zone as the UK.  It is roughly the same latitude as the Canary Islands, with a similar climate.

The country's economy is dominated by farming (ground nuts, cassava and millet), fishing and tourism.

Map reproduced, courtesy of Lonely Planet

• The Country - the whats and wheres
• Education - who does what
• Tourism - when and how