The Children

For blind and partially sighted children in the Gambia the future is bleak without education. Supporting the School is vital to ensure that the children receive the education they so enthusiastically crave and so richly deserve. Many children at the school come from backgrounds which would distress even the most stony-hearted reader. It is not unusual for children who are blind to be abandoned by their parents and thrown on the mercy of the village where they live. When we began to get to know the children we were touched and horrified by the conditions in many of them live. Friends of GOVI offers these children hope, security and justice in a world which has previously offered them nothing.

 

 

Some of the children live close enough to walk to the school. Those who do not have to use local transport and are met by a member of staff and are walked to school but independent transport for the school is essential. In 2004 Friends of Govi trustee David Pointon and a friend drove through the Sahara to deliver a minibus for the school. When that needed replacing two years later David and a team from North Yorkshire delivered two more school buses. (see News: 2006 - Mission Accomplished).

 

 

 

As well as the pupils attending the school several are integrated in to further education, which requires supplying of a Braille machine, Braille paper and tape recorder costing a total for each pupil close to £500. The school has a large garden adding extra variety and nutrition to the pupil's daily mid day meal, with surpluses been sold for additional income.

Although English is the first language of the Gambia, when children come to School they may only speak their native tongue, which may be Mandinka, the language of the largest tribal group, or Fula, Wolof, Jola, Serahulii or any one of nine tongues spoken in The Gambia. For the visually impaired child this is yet another handicap, but when given the opportunity to receive an education, enthusiasm can even overcome barriers such as these.

Teachers work closely with the children, helping them to operate braille equipment. The children enjoy performing for visitors. The children also enjoy sport, for example they play with a special football for the blind which makes a noise as it moves. When the children are able to work independently they can be integrated into mainstream schools in their own communities, and this is one of the main aims of GOVI. There they are partnered with a sighted child who can help them as required.

 

 

 

 

Boys will be boys everywhere

and girls will be girls ...