I met up with Sylvia when I was spending time in The Gambia in November 2018. I spent a week visiting the children at both schools. It was such a great opportunity and amazing experience.
I initially met Sylvia when we both happened to be staying in the same hotel in The Gambia in March 2018. I got talking to a few people in her group and was really interested in helping out with the charity. I am a Neonatal Nurse in London and have a keen interest in travelling and charity work, so helping with NLCC seemed a perfect idea.
Whilst visiting the schools, I met the beautiful children that go there thanks to their sponsors, and got talking to the teachers who work there. To my amazement I found out that the teachers were also pupils there. What a great thing to see coming from this charity. Not only an education but a future.
Whilst at Half Dye School, Sylvia was taking photos of children that needed sponsors. It was at this point that I met Saikou, who was four years old and just enrolled at the school. He seemed such a lovely shy little boy and I instantly knew I wanted to sponsor him and help him gain a great education and a chance at a great future. Following my decision, I wanted to meet his family. They live very close to the school, so one of the teachers took us to visit. The family are very poor, which made me realise I really was making a good decision. If Saikou didn’t get sponsored he wouldn’t be able to go to school and would follow in his parents` footsteps and live a life of poverty. However now he has a great opportunity ahead of him.
When I came back to England and back to work, I told my colleagues and friends about my visit and Saikou. I have already had people asking me if they can sponsor a child as well. What a great way to end the year! I am looking forward to watching Saikou grow and develop through school as well as visiting him and his family when possible.
Thank you New Life Children’s Centres.
