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toubab1020
12314 Posts |
 Posted - 02 Feb 2011 : 15:01:14
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This also from the Point:
http://thepoint.gm/africa/gambia/article/fotga-holds-general-meeting
I am amazed that the people who give out the money do not PAY DIRECT against receipt to the educational establishment that the student is enrolled in rather that giving the money to the parents to maybe divert to buy food pay NAWEC etc.
FOTGA holds general meeting
africa » gambia
Wednesday, February 02, 2011
Friends of The Gambia Association (FOTGA) recently held its annual general meeting at its head office in Manjai Kunda.
The meeting availed FOTGA officials the opportunity to appreciate their donors and sensitise parents of FOTGA’s sponsored students on proper use of the funds given to them by the association for their students.
Speaking at the meeting, Yaya Camara, FOTGA’s country representative, said that it would be unfair on the side of any parent to deprive his or her child of education by diverting funds given to them for the education of their children.
“It is unacceptable for any parent to divert his or her children’s school fee to your own personal use,” he warned.
He emphasised that the funds given to the sponsored students are not meant for their families but for the children’s school fees.
Mr Camara disclosed that some times children would report to his office to inform him that their principals had sent them home for not paying their school fees, when the money was actually paid to the children.
Mr Camara said that such things should be stopped henceforth. He also called on the parents to desist from such attitude, noting that poverty can only be eradicated by educating the children.
He thanked Jeef and Keet Philip for their goodwill gesture to the association.
Brufut Upper Basic School’s Principal Jabbi, in his remarks on the occasion, pointed out that the future of the country depends on children.
The Brufut school principal stated that anyone who educates a child “has prevented a problem from being accruing”.
A school is like a country since they all need collaboration, he added, while urging the parents to desist from misusing their students’ school fees.
As part of the event, six deserving students were given awards for their hard work.
Mr Jeef Philip, one of the donors, stated that FOTGA was formed in the U K to render help to the helpless.
“It is a charitable organisation based in the UK and equally works in The Gambia,” he said.
He said that the association aims at providing quality education for the children free of charge.
Helping the students amounts to helping the nation, he says, appealing to both the students and parents to always give feedback to FOTGA “as this will immensely help” them.
Author: Malamin Conteh
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"Simple is good" & I strongly dislike politics. You cannot defend the indefensible.
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Lily
United Kingdom
422 Posts |
Posted - 02 Feb 2011 : 19:08:06
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There are always different ways of doing things. I prefer to involve the family so that the deal is between the parents, the children, me and the school and not just between the school and me. Sometimes the parents (especially for college students) like me to pay direct but all receipts etc go back to the parents.
It's their child. They (rather than me) shuld have the responsibility of choices.
Yes I am going to help but, in the end, if some school fees need diverting for food then so be it. Parents have either always paid us back or explained their reasons why the fees are not fully paid and then we can make further choices. Like not paying any more (never done that) or by giving addition supoort like rice, money for lunch and transport.
If you want the child to go to school and learn then the parents must value that too and a way of ensuirng that is through direct dialogue with them.
Same here too - if the parents aren't involved in the child's education then (generally) the child doesn't do as well in school.
Finally - I know of a small charity which givs the money direct to the school who "selects" the children (on what grounds, I ask). They are did very badly in their grade 6, 9 and 12 exams. Get involved with the families. Know the children and yes, also visit the schools -
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toubab1020
12314 Posts |
Posted - 02 Feb 2011 : 19:27:29
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Lily ,I appriciate your feelings,they are understandable, and entirely reasonable,Gambia is a poor country we all know that, we also know that SOME Gambian parents are not reliable,if those of us in a better financial situation choose to donate our money to students schooling then that is our choice ,if you want to donate to a charity that helps those who are hungry in the Gambia then there again that is your choice and you would EXPECT YOUR DONATION to be used in the way that you intended,in this article it appears that in SOME instances the money was sidelined to another purpose other than that intended by the donor.
Help to Gambia MUST be used for the purpose for which it was donated. |
"Simple is good" & I strongly dislike politics. You cannot defend the indefensible.
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Lily
United Kingdom
422 Posts |
Posted - 02 Feb 2011 : 19:47:55
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I don't think I was saying that money shouldn't be used to pay school fees. But that parents should be involved in making decisions about their children's needs. The dynamic of charity and school (presumably a school selected by the charity?) doesn't always work (of course it does sometimes).
If the dynamic was charity, parents, children and then select the right school for the child then, in my experience, it works better. Donors can understand this perecetly well.
On a broader note - I do take your point but I do also think that we shouldn't be too rigid in our thinking (too patronising, if you like). Hence a charity providing education would make a big mistake to ring fence all their money for that and not some for transport, food and health too. Anyway - just a thought. |
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toubab1020
12314 Posts |
Posted - 02 Feb 2011 : 22:17:57
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"If the dynamic was charity, parents, children and then select the right school for the child then, in my experience, it works better. Donors can understand this perecetly well."
Quite I didn't realise that the charity "selected" which school the child should go to,the parents would like their child to go to the very best school but that may not suit the ability of the child and the charity has to have an input into the amount that they are willing to pay,it would not be right, otherwise a majority of the money may well be allocated to the brightest students,leaving less able students unable to benefit.I WOULD EXPECT that any charity would have thought of this and had rules,guidelines,(or what other word you wish to use) to deal with this situation.Transport lunch they should be included,I agree,to expect a child to walk a considerable distance to attend school would be daft equally to go without lunch would also be a non starter.Health.......Hmmmmmm........It is my hope and the hope of everyone that children are healthy when they attend school,however it is normal practice to segregate health from education,basic hygene and the like excepted,would donors mind their donations being used to fund medical and hospital bills ? I do not know, the people on the ground have to make that decision I accept that.
The concept of a complete evaluation of the needs of the child would fall outside the education requirement,and may well not be within the remit of the charity.
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"Simple is good" & I strongly dislike politics. You cannot defend the indefensible.
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Lily
United Kingdom
422 Posts |
Posted - 02 Feb 2011 : 23:32:09
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Perhaps.
Charities are free to set their own boundaries.
I can not speak for this particular charity and do not know (though could easily find) the terms of their charity. And I do not suggest they are not doing a good job or seek to criticise their motives. All help is welcome.
My feeling is only this - best not to go to a school and ask them which children need sponsorship. Best not to criticise very poor parents for prioritsing food over anything else. Best not to wade in with a patronising "I know best" attitude.
Much better to find the children, know their situations and fit their needs. It takes time - lots of it.
What are charities for - to help or to be seen to help? To give genuine help - or help that you think is best??
That's all.
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toubab1020
12314 Posts |
Posted - 03 Feb 2011 : 01:13:56
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"Much better to find the children, know their situations and fit their needs. It takes time - lots of it."
That's the best way to proceed,I understand that but MAYBE it could be said of the charity they are employeeing ,in your own words a, "patronising "I know best" attitude",I for one would be interested in knowing a little more about FOTGA as one of the speakers a "Mr Jeef Philip, one of the donors, stated that FOTGA was formed in the U K to render help to the helpless" it may be that the charity has a wider remit than just education.
"What are charities for - to help or to be seen to help? To give genuine help - or help that you think is best??" Good question,do I detect that you are angry with me for suggesting that donated money should be used only for the purpose for which it was given?
That's all
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"Simple is good" & I strongly dislike politics. You cannot defend the indefensible.
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Lily
United Kingdom
422 Posts |
Posted - 03 Feb 2011 : 16:23:35
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No, definitely not angry Toubab (not my nature really!). And of course money should go to where it is needed and so on. I just know of some children who were "dropped" by a charity and had to leave school and yes, they were dropped because part of the school fees were used for food.
I just think that charity was wrong. The child suffers. Talk to the families, that's all I say.
It is a dilema. I believe (and I am fully prepared for others not to agree) that funds from a charity could be used to support a child - in and out of school. The dilema here is that fewer children can be helped by the charity - but those that do have a better chance of success. That's my philosophy, Help a few and do it really, really well rather than throw money at lots and lots of people and no one really has a chance to improve much.
But, as I say - a dilema!
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