At the start of the year we decided to end our links with St James’ Hospital, Lesotho, which we had helped for about 30 years. But we wanted to keep our vision outward, practical and useful, and providence brought a new and worthwhile project into view – the African Children School in The Gambia.

The Gambia is a small and narrow country, mainly Muslim, bordering the Gambia river in West Africa. At All Saints we first heard of the African Children School there when Revd John Baxter (once a curate here) helped us out during Revd Maria’s sabbatical in 2017. He and Dorothy had discovered this Christian school initiative in 2001 when the headmaster, Revd Richard Jackson, shared his vision with them, and they have been sponsoring it ever since.

What was then a small school in rented premises now takes over 200 pupils in a permanent building in Brusubi, and has developed an excellent reputation. The children are of all races and religions, though the ethos is Christian. At present the school takes pre-school and primary pupils, preparing them for senior secondary schools.

John and Dorothy have established a UK-registered charity, BACSECT (Baxters African Children School Educational Charitable Trust, reg. no. 1187921) which helps with purchase of equipment, furniture, books and even shoes when needed, and also supports staff salaries if necessary. As they say, to see so many children develop and progress through education brings real joy.

Our contributions will be made to BACSECT, avoiding the problems of sending money overseas and enabling Gift Aid. Revd John and Dorothy visited us on 29th October and gave us a fascinating description, with pictures, of how the School is developing.  This is a very worthwhile project.