February 2007 saw the official opening of three classrooms in the Methodist Mission at Brikama. It was a wonderful event and everyone was so grateful for the work which had been done.

 

These classrooms were for the 3-7year olds and there were 230 children already attending. We had not managed to get a water supply and felt that we had to try to rectify that.

 

When we met with the Governors and staff they told us that they had another problem. The junior children who were meeting about half a mile away, on what they thought was Methodist land had been informed that the land was not Methodist land and that they would not be allowed to stay there indefinitely. As there was plenty of room at the Mission they wondered if it would be possible to move the Junior children there. This meant another building, and more money to raise. After more meetings and much prayer we decided to try to fund the project.

 

This time I asked the Tadcaster Circuit to make the building a Circuit Project. They agreed and we started to raise money by selling Bricks for Brikama and people were most generous, I hasten to stress that the "bricks" were only wallpaper!!

 

Allan and I returned from the Gambia ten days ago...we were delighted to see how much had been done. The shell of the two classrooms is up. They still have to have doors and window bars in place then the building has to be plastered, painted and furnished, so we still have about £3,500 to raise to complete the Project.

 

The good news is that the children now have WATER, thanks to the Circuit and we have sent money to try to get electricity to the school that is extra to our original Project.

 

No words can express how thankful we are for all the fundraising that the Circuit has done and for all the contributions that have been made. All we can say is that all our efforts are so gratefully accepted by our friends in The Gambia whose need is so much greater than
ours. 

 

Every blessing, Joan and Allan. Feb.2008.