Kambengo-Project Ev Inaugurates Another Building for Sukuta-Sanchaba Jola Kunda

For the second time within three years, the community of Sukuta-Sanchaba Jola Kunda on Wednesday 21st March 2012 witnessed the inauguration of another building at the premises of Kambengo Nursery School.

Education In-depth understand that the inauguration was preceded by the inauguration of a two classrooms building in 2009 at a cost of €75, 000 sponsored by Kambengo-project, a Berlin based organisation.

In his inaugural speech before a well attended gathering at the school premises, the head master of the school, Mafugie Saidy gave a brief history of the school and how they came in to contact with their donors; a couple.

Mafugie informed the gathering of pupils, parents, well wishers and a cross section of the comunity that, the first building of the school was built by the community of Sukuta-Sanchaba Jola Kunda.
With the approval of community leaders of the area, he used the building for conducting study classes for those at lower basic school before turning it to a nursery school in 2006 with thirty pupils.

“In 2008, a German, Jocheu Raschle and his wife visited the school and were impressed and promised to give help, which they did by donating ten thousand dalasi for the sinking of two latrines for the school,” Saidy said.
Their donors since then lifted the financial burden on the community by paying the salaries of the teachers and their auxiliary staff, water and electricity bills and other miscellaneous expenses.

In 2009, according to Saidy, the sponsors broke in to finance a two classroom building due to high demand and overcrowding in the classrooms. He described the intervention as timely and a relief for both pupils and the parents.

After careful assessment base on trust and confidence, the donors deemed it necessary to build another building with an office, a store and another classrooms costing twelve thousand euros, he added.

The donors then shipped a 20ft container to The Gambia in November 2011 containing all the required materials for the building except wood and labour which were provided domestically. This, he added, enabled the construction to last for six weeks.

Saidy thanked all those who had contributed to the success of the inauguration, singling out the parents, Sukuta Village Development Committee (VDC) executive and the donors in particular.

He however, lamented the behavior of some parents which he said affects their operations as a team and a family. He appealed to them to be cooperative with teachers particularly payment for extra hours study class for students.

Jocheu Raschlee, the chairman and the founding father of Kambengo-project, thanked Mafugie and his staff for the brilliant work they are doing as it is not an easy task to deal with children of such a tender age.
He said he first came to The Gambia in 1993 on a private visit and the reception he received from Gambians was very good. He had since then been coming to the country regularly, he added.
According to him, they first sponsored a girl from Jambenjelly Village in Kombo South before they came to Sukuta–Sanchaba Jola Kunda in 2008.

Mr. Raschlee informed this reporter that donors live within and around Berlin in Germany contribute any amount every month to help the operation and the up keep of Kambengo Nursery school.

Every month they spend thirteen thousand dalasi (D13000) on salaries and other running costs totaling one hundred and fifty-six dalasi yearly different from their major projects, he disclosed.   

He informed the gathering that come November 2012, they will demolish the first building which is in a state of dilapidation and erect a new one with a skills centre where children will learn skills at their tender age.

Concerning the progress and development of children’s education, he added that the brilliant performances of the pupils is a clear manifestation of the progress of the children’s education and it is indisputable.

He cited one scenario when a poor parent surprised him with a present as his daughter was excelling academically in lower basic school courtesy of the foundation laid for her at Kambengo Nursery school.
He was however quick to add that it is not only the donors who deserved to be commended but Mafugie and his teaching staff.

The representative of the alkalo of sukuta, Yusupha Cham expressed his satisfaction over the support the Germans have given to Kambengo Nursery School. He advised the community to assist the school in the proper care and maintenance of the good works of the donors and they should adhere to the school rules and regulation at home and at school. He thanked the donors for contributing to the moulding of their children who will be the tomorrow leaders and elders.

Earlier on the chairperson of Sukuta VDC, Madam Fatou Cham, elaborated on the role of the VDC and the management of the school committee. She expressed her gratitude in the inauguration of the new building. She assured the donors her association’s support and partnership for the school in promoting Early Childhood Education to the higher height in Sukuta and surrounding.

Delivering the vote of thanks on behalf of the school and Sukuta VDC, the assistant secretary of Sukuta VDC, Mr. Lamin L Darboe made similar remarks. He advised the parents to prepare their children on time and accompany them to school so that lessons can begin as planned by the school administration.

He further tasked them to make regular visits to the school to find out how their children are progressing with their learning.
He further thanked Mafugie Saidy and his staff for the challenges they are taking in bring learning to the doorstep of their people.