| Author |
 Topic  |
|
|
gambiabev
United Kingdom
3091 Posts |
 Posted - 12 Jan 2006 : 21:32:41
|
If someone has the opportunity of education in England do you think that is always a good thing, or not?
At what age do you think it is ok to uproot a child from its village to go to england for education?
Do you think it is ok for a Gambian child to stay with a white western women? Or should they be placed with an african family?
I ask all of this with the best of intentions. I am considering fostering/adopting a Gambian girl. It stems from a natural friendship between me and the girl. Her mother has offered me her daughter to take to england.
Personally, I would love to bring her to england. I am not sure that it is the right thing to do.
AT the moment she is 5. (TOO YOUNG) I am thinking of waiting till she is about 10 and then putting her through the english education system.
I could take her back to her family 3 times a year.
IF I do this it is with the best of intentions. Tell me if it is a good thing or bad thing.
|
|
|
toubab
Gambia
92 Posts |
Posted - 26 Jan 2006 : 12:13:19
|
| Hi Bev, I'm a new member to this site, but have been following the postings for a long time.You seem to have fallen in love with the Gambia and often visit as a tourist.My husband and I moved here last year and the realities of coming as a tourist and living here are very very different.I don't think that it is agood idea to uproot a child from its family and culture for the sake of an education.The schooling here can be very good and the teachers can be excellent, despite the poor wages they receive. You could always pay for the childs eduction here, there are also private schools, which would cost you alot less than travelling back here 3 times a year.Alot of childen have extra lessons after school and at weekends, and I think this is far preferable than taking a child from its family and culture.The next generation need to be educated here and partake in the development of their country, there are many well educated Gambians here, so the education system must be working, though like many other countries including Britain, there is always room for improvement. |
 |
|
|
gambiabev
United Kingdom
3091 Posts |
Posted - 26 Jan 2006 : 12:20:16
|
So do you live in Gambia full time?
I have no intention of doing that, as I have all my family here and my parents need me as well as my daughters.
i would like to spend more time in village I go to teaching in nursery though......ONE DAY! |
|
|
|
toubab
Gambia
92 Posts |
Posted - 27 Jan 2006 : 18:19:45
|
| Yes, we are privileged to live here full-time,having worked our lifetime in Britain we decided to actually 'live' our lives for a few years.There are alot of sponsered schools and institutions here, and I see by the contributions on this site that many people are concerned about The Gambia.The countrys infra structure,roads,water, electric, certainly need sorting out, but it would be good to here from Gambians living here that are on line, what they would like to see initally, and how their lives could be enhanced.All the good intentions could then go in the right direction.You can throw as much money as you like at a country, but it needs to be used effectively.What did you decide about the young girls education,of course it would be a decision between her family,herself, and you. |
|
|
|
gambiabev
United Kingdom
3091 Posts |
Posted - 27 Jan 2006 : 20:12:43
|
I am going to discuss it further with the family in MArch, when I attend a wedding in their village. The mother thinks it is a good thing, but she is divorced, so I have to talk to the father. I have concerns for the girl about missing her mother and family and culture and also the weather!
But I am a teacher. I am 100% police checked. IF they intend to send her to uk I could be a good, safe person for her to be with and I would make the effort for her to return to family at least twice a year. I would see my role as 'auntie' and would NEVER pretend to be her mum.
My instincts say she would be best to stay in Gambia and me support her education there. The education is excellent if you can afford it.
The last time I left this little girl in the village we both cried.... I said bye then got into taxi...I looked around and she had jumped in the other side!!! So we took her round the block waving like royalty to all her friends!!!
I am very flattered that her mother would trust her to me.  I am also very sad that people are so desperate that they would do that.
I havent made the decision yet. My own daughters support me and says they would like to help.(16 and 20).
I have sponsored children through action aid for 20 years in Gambia..one after another...then I have progressed to helping individuals I have met with their education, independent of action aid..though I still support their 'next step' programme. Anyone who wants to help in Gambia but doesnt want personal involvement I would recommend Action aid...... it is a well thought out charity.
Bringing a child to uk seemed like the next step in personal commitment. BUT I am stiol not sure if it is a good thing, even if done with good intent. Basically IF I am going to do it I would take her to England aged 8 or 9 until she finishes her education. I would take her to Gambia twice a year.
I would love to know what Gambians in Gambia think.....
I have approx 2 years to decide...discuss with family etc....I dont do it lightly.
|
|
|
|
gambiabev
United Kingdom
3091 Posts |
Posted - 27 Jan 2006 : 20:21:00
|
Toubaba
Are you retired in Gambia or do you have a business?
Which part do you live in?
How are you finding it?
Long term I would like to send more time there. |
|
|
|
toubab
Gambia
92 Posts |
Posted - 29 Jan 2006 : 13:22:55
|
| Hi Bev, no not retired, just sold up in England,and moved here, no business here either, living very frugally, by ex-pat standards I suppose!I love it, but life is not without its difficultys, but nothing drastic by any means. |
|
|
|
gambiabev
United Kingdom
3091 Posts |
Posted - 07 Feb 2006 : 23:54:56
|
I would love to hear from Gambian people about this.....do you think I should leave the girl in the village and pay for her secondary education in Gambia...or bring her to UK........
I am going to talk to the family on my next visit.
I would like more views. |
|
|
|
kassma
334 Posts |
Posted - 14 Feb 2006 : 02:34:07
|
| i think it would be better for her to stay in Gambia until she finishes her secondary education. the reason why i say so i that it would take a while for her to adjust and then she'll probably end up feeling isolated. then probably a year before she graduates secondary school you can bring her to England so that when its time for her to go to college, if she is going to college that is, because i think at that time, she would have matured enough to handle all the things that are going to be thrown at her. i say so cause i had a similar experience and i feel that i probably would have done better if i stayed at home. now i'm in college and everything but still i think i would have done better with the new culture, new experiences with racism and new hostile people. |
|
|
|
gambiabev
United Kingdom
3091 Posts |
Posted - 14 Feb 2006 : 09:11:32
|
| Thank you for that. I feel very protective to this little girl...like an auntie I suppose..... I want only what is best for her and I dont want her to have to be subjected to the western world before she is ready to cope. Racism is ugly and horrible, but when she is older she can be prepared for it. As a child it would be a big shock. I think I will pay for her education in Gambia and let het decide when or IF she wants to come to uk when she is older. I will talk to the parents in March. |
|
|
| |
Topic |
|
Topic Locked
