Ben Nevis Climb for Papa Bouye School

In April 2013, a group of PGCE students from Bishop Grosseteste University in Lincoln vistited the Gambia on an educational visit. During this time we were lucky enough to have the opportunity to visit Papa Bouye nursery and infant school.

The school is located in an extremely poor area of the Gambia. As first time visitors; we had little idea of the levels of poverty that these children and their families live with on a day to day basis until we arrived there.

The school is small and has only recently been able to invest in a level floor in it's two classrooms. There are only a couple of desks to serve the entire school, with very few 'luxuries' such as pencils and paper for writing their schoolwork. The school is constructed from prefabricated concrete, and has a corrugated iron roof. There is currently no running water into the compound, and the school cannot afford to feed the children that attend.

The previous headteacher of this school has completely donated what small pension she had saved entirely to the school to assist in it's running, but this is not nearly enough. This school relies on donations it is given from outsiders, and cannot continue to exist without outside aid.

Such was the passion and drive of the community in Papa Bouye (the teachers, students and parents) that the student visitors have decided to go the extra mile, and attempt to raise more money to try to make as much difference as possible to the lives of the children of Papa Bouye. Every single Bishop Grosseteste student who visited this school was affected by this community's plight, and firmly believe every child should have the right to an education, whatever their situation.

This is why we are asking for YOUR help on behalf of these children. With your donations, we can help the school pay for running water for drinking, desks and chairs to work at, and resources and work materials to help to improve the teaching, not to mention the upkeep and maintenance of the existing structure, such as the roof.

On Saturday 13th July 2013, we intend to climb the highest peak in the UK: Ben Nevis in the Scottish Highlands.

We are looking to YOU for sponsorship for completion of this challenge. Any amount you donate has the potential to make the most profound benefit to this poverty stricken school.  

So please, reach deep into your pockets, and donate what you can. We can guarantee your gift will overwhelm the community of Papa Bouye, and will help give these children a real chance for an education and potential to work their way out of this sickening poverty.

Thank You for your kindness,

The PGCE students of Bishop Grosseteste University, 2013