KKLBS gets D0.3M educational boost

Christian Humanitarian Helpers Association (CHHA), a charitable organisation that seeks to complement government's efforts in education, recently donated some educational materials worth over D300, 000 to Koba Kunda Lower Basic School (KKLBS) in the Upper River Region. The presentation ceremony  was held at the school's ground.

The donated items include 20, 177 assorted exercise books; printer and scanner; 240 boxes of chalk; 14, 400 pencils; 28 set boxes; 28 calculators for teachers; 1, 725 grams of vegetable seeds; and 20 watering-cans amongst others. The association, which has been rendering assistance to KKLBS for the past five years, according to officials, spent 8,000 euros on educational materials in 2010 alone.

Speaking at the presentation, Momodou S. Jallow, deputy governor, commended the donors for the gesture and appealed to beneficiaries, particularly students of the schools to consider themselves very lucky. Jallow, who said he was a former teacher, disclosed that he was a teacher in the 1960's when assistance of such nature were never feasible, compared to today. "We even used some part of our salaries to help buy books for students," he recalled.

He commended school authorities for taking good care of the materials initially donated to the school, as well as donors for their humanitarian assistance. The coordinator of CHHA, Anthony Rene Blain, who gave a brief historical background of the association, expressed his conviction that the items that were previously donated to the school, were put into good use. "This," the coordinator added, "is an encouragement for the association."

He urged the children to be conscious of the privilege accorded to them, and called on them to make best use of it by working hard for a better future. Blain revealed that his association is currently rendering assistance to different schools in The Gambia in order to complement government's efforts in the educational sector.

Speaking earlier, Saiba Darboe, head master of the school, described the gesture as a big boost that will serve as a relief for both the children and their parents. Darboe acknowledged that the gesture would contribute to quality education in the school and informed that when he assumed the mantle of responsibility of the school this academic year, he distributed some of the exercise books, which were donated by CHHA last year. He thanked Blain and his association for their concern to the education of the children, and the education sector in general.

Chief of Basse, Hammeh Minteh Kurubally, said the humanitarian association has been very instrumental in complementing government's efforts in the area of education and described the association’s move as an important one in the drive towards ensuring quality education for Gambian children. He urged the children to work harder and respect their teachers for them to achieve their goals. The occasion was characterized by a drama presentation and cultural performances by children of the school.