The Gambia Experience and their guests from the UK, last Thursday donated an amount of D352,600.00 to six (6) schools in the rural areas.  The beneficiaries are Jarra Barrow-Kunda Lower Basic, Jiffarong Lower Basic, Kudang Lower Basic, Panchang Basic Cycle School, Buduk Lower Basic and Niana Senior Secondary School.

Jarra Barrow Kunda Lower Basic School received D69,000 for the transformation of staff quarters, while Jiffarong Lower Basic School, Kudang Lower Basic,  Panchang basic cycle school  received respectively D88,400, D48,000, D61,500 for the renovation of classroom blocks. Buduk Lower Basic School was granted an amount of D40,500.00 for not only fencing the school garden but also providing equipment and materials to the said institution. And last but not least,  Niana Senior Secondary  School D45,200.00 for the renovation of kitchens and sanitary facilities.

Speaking at the presentation ceremony, Joice Stavroulakis, Gambia Eperience Resort Manager,  explained that they annually embarked on this immense initiative, noting that their ambition is to enable Gambian schools to tackle their day-to-day activities. She also added that they normally receive donations from the United Kingdom.

According to her, they requested that the regional educational officers should be monitoring the projects and that the officers or the headmasters will inform them when the work is complete.  Conscious of the fact that such a project requires the necessary transparency, she outined that photographs of the site during and when the project is completed will taken and forwarded to them. for their guests to see where and how the monies have been allocated.

For his part, Dr Pap Sey, deputising for the Secretary of State for Basic and Secondary Education,  said that this is a very good contribution to the educational sector noting that the Gambia Experience and their guests are not out only to make money but also to contribute to the country's national development.  "We hope our guests will continue to come and  support efforts geared towards  national development," he said.

Dr Sey seized the opportunity to call on the school Heads to be as professionals as expected and advised them to make good use of the money.  He assured them that they will identify officials to monitor them in order to make sure that the donors have accurate feed-backs.  Mr Lamin Manneh, of the Gambia Experience, was tasked with the responsibility to gather information and keep the records updated.