Thanks to one and all of our supporters
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.
We have succeeded: raised the funds, demolished the old hall and seen the new one completed!
We would like to thank our supporters, particularly Beech Hill school, Luton and the Redbridge Rotary Club for helping us fund the project.
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| The condemned, unfit, building above is the ramshackled one we have replaced |
The new one can now act as: dining and assembly hall, gym, prayer and meeting room, and community area for the village.
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.
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| The sponsor a chair scheme has helped us furnish the new hall |
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.
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.
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| Scroll of Honour - listing the names on the chairs, and the importance of that person |
The new building is magnificent and was completed by local labour, using largely local materials.
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| The magnificent new hall |
It was built: on time, to spec and on budget. It has: electricity, running water and glass windows, that the old building did not.
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.
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| Cultivating the crops in the school grounds, for use in the hall's new kitchen, better food for the children and a step towards self-sufficiency |
The school and village are delighted with the building and came out in their hundreds, to the "official" opening in January 2020.
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| The village came out in there hundreds, to welcome and accompany us on the way to the hall on the day of the "official opening" |
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| The village elders came out in force, to greet and thank us for your efforts in funding the new hall |
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| The village grandees, out in force, to "open" the hall, for the first time |
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| The dancing and partying, to welcome the opening went on for hours! |
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| The children sang and performed for us - to express their thanks |
70 orange trees were planted in the school grounds to celebrate the opening.
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| Orange tree planting - to celebrate the opening |
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| The Director of Education (centre - yellow top) visited and expressed his gratitude for the hall |
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:
Thank you, one and all, for improving the lives of 400 African children
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| And ... the children were delighted! |
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".
Bank: Santander.
A/c name: UK Sohm Seccondary School (The Gambia)
Sort: 090128
A/c no.: 04453414
e.mail: John@SohmSchoolsSupport.org.uk
