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.
