October 2015

Mariama Touray, for whom the Mariama Mae pre-school is named, is now 19 years old.

She is a positive, determined and wonderful young person who, at the age of six, was determined to go to school despite the severe physical disability which kept her isolated and hidden away.

Her strength and determination meant that she unwittingly became a pioneer in her community, proving that disability is nothing to be feared or ashamed of.

It is certainly needs be no barrier to education helped by our pre-school’s policy for inclusion of children with disabilities, Mariama has worked hard to complete primary and secondary education at the government schools in her village.

Mariama is now working on a voluntary basis in the pre-school which gave her the opportunity to start her education. She is doing this to give something back and to prevent herself becoming isolated again.

She is proving to be a very capable and caring young woman, with a real talent and affinity with young children.

The school now wants to offer her a small salary to become a teaching assistant for the year one children. Mariama would be perfect for this position as not only would the children benefit from her skill and care, but Mariama herself would once again be a pioneer for people with disability, simply by being employed within the education system.

At the moment the school does not have the money to offer Mariama this position, so we are supporting their appeal to raise a sustainable salary of £40 per month through collections, donations and, if at all possible, ongoing sponsorship from individuals, groups, organisations and schools here in the UK.

If you can help in any way, please get in touch via our contact page here. Thank you.

We were delighted to welcome First Aid 4 Gambia to Jappineh Nursery School this summer.



At the beginning of July, Laineh from the charity travelled inland to Jappineh Basic Cycle School, of which the nursery school is part.



On his visit he was able to train a total of 18 people in basic first aid,as well as restocking the school’s clinic with important first aid supplies.



First Aid 4 Gambia targets first aid training and equipment for staff and helpers at schools and nurseries. In a country like The Gambia, where many get serious ill or die due to a lack of primary health care, first aid

training and equipment can help local people respond to daily health related problems and possible life threatening situations.