Malvern Girls College Gambia Project

Malvern Girls College Gambia Project The link began when two vacationing staff members visited the country in 1992 and were invited by a former pupil to see the work she was doing in one of the villages.

Experiencing the appalling level of poverty at close quarters, they decided they must encourage the College to develop links with a Gambian school.

The following year they contacted a variety of schools trying to decide which one was the most needy.

Their taxi driver being intrigued at the purpose of their visit persuaded them to choose his village, Illiassa, a long way "up country" and well off the tourist track.

So far the support has been for school projects but the College may branch out into other areas.

The village women's vegetable gardens provide most of the family food but they have little awareness of the value of working together or how to improve productivity.

On our recent visit they made their sense of powerlessness known to their visitors and so the College is exploring ways to provide support.