Each year we try to improve the equipment in under-resourced
areas of the Senior school's curriculum, in Sohm.
As a result of generous donations in previous years, we
have, for example, established a fully functioning ICT suite there, added significantly to
the science laboratory equipment and provided key text books in all curriculum
areas.
This year, we extended the process by purchasing technical
drawing equipment for the school, including a number of Tee squares and set
boxes, as well as specialist drawing paper - some of which can be seen in the
accompanying photograph.
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| Senior school principal, Mamadou Manneh, with some of the technical drawing equipment donated. We look forward to improved exam performance in that subject in future years |
It is most heartening, therefore, to see the longer term
benefits that these investments bring, years after the initial intervention.
Three years ago, our friends at Football Gambia and Kit Aid
supplied over 60 sets of football kit to the school. These are being well used.
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| Successful girls football team, kitted out thanks to Football Gambia and Kit Aid, two great UK charities |
We are delighted to report that the girls' senior football team
at the school made it through to the quarter finals of the national schools'
football championship. The photo above illustrates
them wearing donated kit.
It is unlikely they would have entered the competition without the donation of the kit, and they certainly would not have looked so ready for action as the photo shows them to be.
It is unlikely they would have entered the competition without the donation of the kit, and they certainly would not have looked so ready for action as the photo shows them to be.
Similarly, two years ago, we re-equipped the schools' domestic science kitchen with new cooking utensils - a priority determined by the school. This is important for the pupils as it gives them a grounding that help gain them access to the national catering college - and into important tourist industry jobs.
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| Ready, Steady Cook - Sohm girls at regional cooking finals |
This year the Senior school got to the final of the regional
schools' cooking competition. Unfortunately, they were disqualified from the
final, for adding a Maggi cube (similar to Oxo etc) to the stock in their entry
for "Preparing a National Dish".
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| A delicious dish - too much Maggi, however! |
It was done in good faith, for as one of the girls said
"Well, that's what we do at home!".
Great to see that small seeds sown in curriculum areas can bring such rich rewards two or three years afterwards, once the investment has had a chance to percolate through to the students learning, and wider performance and experience.
Quite apart from the skills enhancement these initiatives have brought, they have encouraged (in this case, all girls) to broaden their horizons and to participate in events beyond the confines of the village. These social experiences are, in themselves, important for students living in relatively remote communities.
So, once again, many thanks to our donors and supporters for enabling us to facilitate these small, but important steps to improve the education and experience of the young people of Sohm
Great to see that small seeds sown in curriculum areas can bring such rich rewards two or three years afterwards, once the investment has had a chance to percolate through to the students learning, and wider performance and experience.
Quite apart from the skills enhancement these initiatives have brought, they have encouraged (in this case, all girls) to broaden their horizons and to participate in events beyond the confines of the village. These social experiences are, in themselves, important for students living in relatively remote communities.
So, once again, many thanks to our donors and supporters for enabling us to facilitate these small, but important steps to improve the education and experience of the young people of Sohm
