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jambo
3300 Posts |
 Posted - 10 May 2006 : 14:27:22
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one of the schools i visit, it is called the african christian international school, for younger children, age 4- 8 years. i had left some books there last time and took some pictures. They gave me a leaflet on what is needed such as fencing, building materials. I am keen to help because I can see the end result. Also I would lik to get it "twinned" with a school here.
I did not meet the head teacher she was away on a course but the teachers that were there were brilliant. Also the children were happy, they sang the school songs. It all made sense to me. I am sure it has made a difference to to the community. I know if i came back to europe and wanted to help it could be done through an organisation but i think i would loose it in "adminstration fees".
does anyone know it
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jambo
3300 Posts |
Posted - 10 May 2006 : 17:23:05
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Sab, it on the crossroads where the main road turns towards jufreh!, sorry cannot be more explicit, but I can post pictures on the web for you. I know that the taxi is going towards jufreh follows the main road towards Farfenni and turns left after the police check. I am such a tourist.
they wear brown and yellow uniforms.
full title of school AFRICAN CHRISTIAN INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL. |
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gambiabev
United Kingdom
3091 Posts |
Posted - 10 May 2006 : 20:56:52
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As an outsider I can say I feel uncomfortable getting involved with a religous school. In a village I would prefer to help the 'locals' school rather than the islamic school....and also I am not sure what place Christian schools have in Gambia.
In an ideal world religion would be left at the school gate. Teachers would teach their subjects and they would teach with good moral guidance, but religion wouldnt be relevant. |
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gambiabev
United Kingdom
3091 Posts |
Posted - 10 May 2006 : 20:59:24
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| Jambo...can I ask which country you are based in? |
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jambo
3300 Posts |
Posted - 10 May 2006 : 21:41:06
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hi there, travelling at present. I did not choose this school just happened to be passing, it was my guide who said it was a good school. all the teachers expect one is muslim, so i think it is not so mch a "christian school", Secondly last count there were 40 children and only three christian children.
i just like what I saw, happy children.
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sab
United Kingdom
912 Posts |
Posted - 10 May 2006 : 22:01:04
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| Thank Jambo, I only ask because you referred to Essau. Safe travels, regards, sab. |
The world would be a poorer place if it was peopled by children whose parents risked nothing in the cause of social justice, for fear of personal loss. (Joe Slovo - African revolutionary) |
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jambo
3300 Posts |
Posted - 11 May 2006 : 08:41:58
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thank you Sab, I enjoy visiting the villages it so relaxing and food is great. Can I ask are you from that area.
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twinkly
United Kingdom
190 Posts |
Posted - 11 May 2006 : 10:11:14
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Something to think about...
Religion IS a big part of Gambian culture and education.
I have family members who went to "local" school and some who went to arabic school.I would never make a decision which is better.
Gambia is mainly a muslim country.Simply because we think Arabic schools are different or less good, we shouldn't decide for the people of Gambia which schools should be supported.
We will send our children to Gambia to go to Arabic school when they are older.It is a very big part of their education.(for gambian children in general)
Did you know that many children go to a "local" school during the day and after school they attend arabic school.
And the international Muslim organisations seem to forget about Africa.When there is a disaster in a muslim country, muslim orgasnisations help each other.But african muslims are less considered I believe, could be wrong there
Most arabic schools must be supported though by organisations as I don't see much support from the West towards muslim things.
But because WE think our system is the best, we only want to support things that we are familiar with.
Please don't take this as critisism, just something to think about |
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jambo
3300 Posts |
Posted - 11 May 2006 : 10:55:26
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Twinkly, i did think about, i deal with schools that are part of the community. I have not made a judgement on them, because most of the pupils at the school are muslim, but I am concerned about standards. Most of the children go to koran school, outside of school hours. You make the statement "we shouldn't decide for the people of Gambia which schools should be supported." who is we
Why will you send you child to Gambia to Arabic school they have Arabic schools outside gambia!!?? I do not think our system is the best, but I understand it. you are right about African muslims being less considered, i learnt this after a trip to morocco. Secondly in the communities I visited the muslim schools for local children did not teach science and maths, as much as the mission schools. HARMONY. happy to have nice discussion after some of the replies i have read on bantaba. |
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twinkly
United Kingdom
190 Posts |
Posted - 11 May 2006 : 11:38:34
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Yes Jambo, it is nice indeed
I see your point and it makes sense.
Strangely, my father-in-law sends the children of one wife to missionschools whereas the children of the other wife all went to Arabic school.Maybe it's the wives' preferences I don't know.But I like the mixture because there are very knowledgable and educated muslims, on the other hand some had a western education.It does get tricky when the people who went to arabic school want to travel to the west, as their education is completely different.
Those people don't have the urge to go to Europe though, they'd rather go to Saudi to study more.But I see the disadvantage.(Only if they feel the need to travel here though)
Of course we send them to muslim school here, but that's one day a week after school, we can't afford a fulltime school here and I'd like them to have a stronger bond with their family and homecountry, apart from the teachings of the Kuran.
I haven't thought about it properly to be honest, as I don't know how it will work if we take them out of school for maybe one or two years to send them there.But who knows where we will be that time... |
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jambo
3300 Posts |
Posted - 11 May 2006 : 11:47:20
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twinkly not sure where you are based but I know many children in europe go to a the best school in the area, and then go to a koran school that has been set up the mosque. is this not the case for your area. yes the decision of where to send your child is nrmally left to the wife. it depends on where her priority lies.
I definately understand sending them to gambia but why to koran school, could you not send them to somewhere like Ndow, marina for formal education and then to koran school out of hours, that way they have the best of both worlds. the reason i say this my friend does this because she wants her son to make friends with two sets of school friends. ties made now in Gambia pay off further down the line. |
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twinkly
United Kingdom
190 Posts |
Posted - 11 May 2006 : 12:02:08
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That's something I didn't even think about.
Thank you for that it really makes sense and I'm definetely gonna have to think about that.
Now back to your topic sorry |
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jambo
3300 Posts |
Posted - 11 May 2006 : 12:13:04
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You are welcome. Anyway back to my project it is my intention to help schools with books. That is why i am asking some of the questions that I do. I know when i visit a community, sunshine happy faces, good food can influence my judgement.
So back in the land of debts, ie home I have to make some judgements decisions. That is why i ask for clarification of somethings that have been aksed of me. I have made afew mistakes, actually quite a lot, but i believe i will get there in the end.
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jambo
3300 Posts |
Posted - 11 May 2006 : 14:32:43
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| twinkly/gambiaeve do you have any children or school projects happening, or planning on any. |
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gambiabev
United Kingdom
3091 Posts |
Posted - 11 May 2006 : 16:29:19
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I help several families with their childrens education(In Brufut, Tendaba, Kwinella and Kolior). Also I have 'sort of adopted' a little girl in Pirang called Sera.I help my guide (Lamin Dibba) and his family in Pirang.
My main project is helping the nursery school at Kolior.
This is not an official charity yet. I am holding back on that at the moment because I am unsure of how the project is going.
I would only ask other people to contribute if I am certain it will be successful. At the moment I have some doubts.
It could be that I decide against becoming a charity and just continue with my little bit of helping as and when I can. |
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jambo
3300 Posts |
Posted - 11 May 2006 : 17:00:41
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gambiaeve, i agree on that one, i am not rushing to get charity status, i believe that would take me into another. Once you ask people for money or help things are expected. So at present i do what i can. My families are in Upper nuimi, Bundung, Tranquil. But the children are in St augustines, St Francis, St Peters, Brikama methodist and St Theresa's. that is for this school year. On my next trip a few might change.
What a nice conversation. |
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