Adama Barrow made this call on Friday as he presided over the inauguration of a new Nursery and Lower Basic School 8-classroom block with offices at the Bakoteh Shelter for Children and Home for the Elderly, in Bakoteh.
The event form part of activities commemorating the Gambia’s Diamond Jubilee.
The move comes following the successful completion of this significant project at the Shelter in its quest to expand and provide learning opportunities to both children within the shelter from the community.
Financed by Dutch couple, Jan and Maureen Schouten, the school named after their late daughter - Eveline Schouten, is now operational, enrolling its first batch of pupils during the 2023/24 academic year. It has a current pupilt population of 28 at the Nursery and 78 for the Lower Basic School.
In his inaugural statement, Adama Barrow explained that this remarkable initiative is in line with his government’s unwavering commitment to the welfare and protection of the most vulnerable members of society (children).
“As celebration of the 60th Diamond Jubilee anniversary continues, let me re-echo the pledge that my government’s remains resolute in its mission to building a more inclusive and compassionate Gambia. Our priorities are to ensure no one is left behind especially the most vulnerable communities.”
The Gambian leader described the facility as a vital part of social protection strategy, which he said, seeks to provide, safe, dignified and equal opportunity for all.
“Our children represent the future of our nation. Therefore, it is our collective efforts to responsibly create a safe and enabling environment where they can grow, learn and reach their full potentials.”
“Unfortunately, many children have found themselves in difficult circumstances due to no fault of theirs. This centre stands as a beacon of hope and a centre of rehabilitation to ensure that such children receive care, protection and guidance for full integration into society as productive and empowered individuals.”
To this end, Barrow maintained that the facility will serve as a comforting home for its young residents, while demonstrating his government’s resolve to guaranteeing a right to shelter for every child.
“I have learned with satisfaction that this new school with its spacious class room building and other facilities is built purposely for the tender children at the centre. This is critical as it will contribute to giving them a good start in life.”
To that end, he commended all stakeholders who played a part in the successful implementation of the project, while expressing appreciation to the ministries of Gender, Children and Social Welfare and Basic and Secondary Education for spearheading the project and providing the required teachers.
On behalf of the financiers, Hariette Sonko, country coordinator, MRC Holland Foundation, gave a background leading to the establishment of the school, noting that the school was named after a courageous woman from the Netherlands, who she said, was diagnosed with an incurable form of brain cancer at the age of only 40 years.
She described the school’s namesake as a courageous individual, further expressing appreciation in the way she showed compassion to others.
In spite of enduring rigorous medical treatment, she said, the philanthropist maintained her optimism and made the best of her remaining days to be around with her family.
Simon Schouten, one of the sponsors, expressed delight to witness the inauguration of a school named after their beloved-daughter.
“We are so proud of her and how she lived her life. Last year, she died at the age of only 44.”
He expressed how proud they were of this wonderful edifice and thanked MRC Holland Foundation and those who played a role in the successful completion of the school.
The event was punctuated with presentation of gifts to the sponsors from the Netherlands, before President Barrow and delegation were led on a conducted tour of the various facilities at the Shelter.
