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British Couple Donate Garden Tools to Schools

Mar 31, 2009, 7:03 AM | Article By: Njie Baldeh & Yerro Mballow

Mr and Mrs Sarah Barettes, British couple residing in France recently donated garden tools to 10 schools in the North Bank Region.

The beneficiaries include Ndungu Kebbeh Basic Cycle, Kabakot, Darsilami, Kinteh Kunda, Saaba, Banni, Dobo, Mbamori Kunda, Ballimandinka, and MunakelLowerBasicSchools.

Speaking in an interview with this paper, the couple said their main visit to The Gambia is to spend the holiday with the people of the country. According to them, they visited the targeted schools in order to distribute the garden tools to them and other humanitarian assistance as well as sponsor some students.

Mr. Nigel said their efforts and commitment is not to sponsor students alone but also to help develop projects that are initiated by individuals by raising funds for them. He said that this year alone, they were able to distribute about D67, 152.00 on assistance alone.

For her part, Mrs Barettes, said that their visit to The Gambia is vital, noting that they are also able to supply food to the schools and other communities to help them develop effectively. "We also help villages to get good water supply by giving them hand pumps. All these we do, is to complement the efforts of the Gambia Government", she noted.

The couple also commended the Meon Valley Lions Club for their contribution towards the maintenance of DarsilamiLowerBasicSchool hand Pump.     

Also speaking earlier, Mr Njundu Darboe, the Deputy Head Master of Lamin Daranka Lower Basic School said he was much elated that Ndungu Kebbeh Basic Cycle has been doing very well in all areas, most especially on agriculture. He urged them to continue their efforts and serve as an example to others. Mr. Darboe finally commended the British couple for their kind gesture and urged all the students to make their books as their only friends.

Mr. Musa Jaiteh, Principal of Ndungu Kebbeh Basic Cycle also gave similar remarks. Other speakers includes Mr. Nuha Nyassi, head of the Agric Department at NdunguKebbehLowerBasicSchool who is in charge of the school garden also expressed similar sentiments.