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First, a huge thank you to everyone who has donated already this year, and to those who donate monthly. We had hoped to squeeze costs by buying books and uniform cloth early, and we have been able to do so.
Going further, many of our Coordinators have been awarding "scholarships" in the form of uniforms and even books before the rains come and schools close. This is a such a brilliant innovation that I am in awe: tailors can come to the school, measure the students, and then have plenty of time to sew the uniforms during slow times in their shops. If they are done before classes end, they can even come back to the school and deliver the uniforms.
It is so powerful when a student - whose mother isn't sure how she can support them for another year of school - comes home with all they need for the next school year. For students who are not in school this year, but whom we will support in the fall - coming to the school to get measured, to greet their old teachers, and other students, is also an ideal way to start the re-integration process.
It sounds simple. But sometimes it is not. Seno Bajonki lies four kilometers northeast of the Lower River Region capital of Soma. It is not far enough for a gelly (bush taxi), so Coordinator Alieu Gaye met with tailor Modou Kandeh, and they walked to the village's school. It was 106 degrees and there was no shade.
When they arrived, the students were waiting. With younger students looking on, the measuring began. I love the way returning to school becomes an occasion.
And who can doubt that the girls know that good things are happening in their lives.
Several donors were able to increase their donations this year. And two new donors joined us. So we were able to slowly start to say "yes" to some out-of-school girls who were hoping to go back to school in September. In Brikama, when Nyima's father died, he left four wives and 24 children. She immediately dropped out of school to help her mother sell vegetables in the market to help support the family. Her mother desperately wanted her to return to school but could not supply her needs. With our support, after two years of being out of school, Nyima will be in 10th grade at Presentation of Mary Senior Secondary School in September.
Hellena is 15 years old. Her biological father abandoned her mother when he found out that she was pregnant.
Her mother is highly intelligent and tried hard to stay in school but ultimately could not graduate. She is determined for her daughter to do so.
With our support, Hellena will be in 9th grade in September.
She's already dreaming big; she wants to be a pilot.
I am so grateful to everyone whose giving makes it possible to give these girls a chance. To those who came back this year, to those who increased their gifts, but especially to those who keep offering support year after year, month after month. That is what makes our long-term commitments to these girls possible.
If you haven't given lately, the summer is an ideal time to do so; by August we'd like to know what we can promise in September. If you have read this far and haven't donated lately and are able to do so, remember that $3 a month can fund a grade school scholarship, and Gambia College can be as little as $35 per month. Please do what you can. It will literally change lives.
Mike McConnell
Managing Trustee
GambiaRising
www.gambiarising.org
1500 Park Avenue #503
Emeryville, CA 94608
