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We have previously reported on the
construction of a
Resource Centre at Sinchu Baliya Lower Basic School [MAP]. The initial funding for this was
provided and organised by Pageant members Linda Murgatroyd and
Chris Hyde. Pippa and Ian report on their visit to
Sinchu Baliya in February 2005:
Resource Centre February 2005
"We visited Sinchu Baliya on our last full
day in The Gambia, mainly because Linda had only arrived in The
Gambia during our last weekend. We wanted her to be with us to see
how work on the Resource Centre was coming along, as a large part of
the expenditure to date had been raised by her colleagues at
Cambridge Education. We were welcomed by lines of clapping and
singing children and greeted by Mr Cham, the Headmaster, and several
members of his staff. On being shown round the school, we found that
the building had progressed a little since our visit in October -
the block-work had been completed - but there was still no sign of
any roofing, nor doors, windows or flooring.
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welcome by lines of
children |
some of the girls |
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the unfinished
Resource Centre |
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Linda discussing
progress >> |
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Having expressed our disappointment at the
unfinished state of the building, we then had lengthy discussions
with Mr Cham and some of his staff about the cost of the work that
needed doing to complete the structure. We eventually decided to
employ a different sub-contractor (Jola, a personal recommendation
to Linda) to organise the rest of the building work and Kemo is
going to keep a much closer watch on how things are progressing. We
also stressed how we wished the community to become more involved in
the work, in a similar manner to projects carried out in the
up-country village schools. This has obviously been noted, as we
have just received some photographs of the children and staff
levelling the floors in preparation for the laying of the concrete.
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work in progress on the
floors for the Resource Centre |
We have also heard from Jola and Kemo that
the roof trusses, doors and windows have all been made and that Kemo
was going to inspect the work before paying further funds for
concrete (floors and plastering) and corrugate (roof). Linda is due
to go out to The Gambia again before long (on business this
time) and hopes to see a big improvement in the Resource Centre at
her next visit.
Resource Centre Update April 2005
The Resource Centre at Sinchu Baliya now has its roof
on, and plastering of the walls in in progress.
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external view showing
roof in place |
inside view with wall
plastered |
pictures of
the completed Resource Centre >>
The account of the presentation of prizes for
the Microscopy Competition in now on a
separate page.
Plymouth-Banjul
Team Ibrakeforcake visit - January 2007
Team Ibrakeforcake successfully completed the
2007 Plymouth-Banjul Challenge,
with the target of raising £4000 for the Sinchu Baliya school.
Chris, Dave and Ed the Croc visited the school and were warmly
welcomed by the staff and children. (See
the pictures)
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