Aldingbourne village funds build school in Gambia

The generosity of residents and businesses to a fundraising campaign by David and Janet Underwood means the structure will be completed before the rainy season in the Gambia.

Putting on the roof and completing the walls before this all-important deadline in July means the school will survive the three months of bad weather which afflicts Kunebeh every year.

A concert held by the couple at St Mary's Church in Aldingbourne '“ and publicised by the Observer '“ raised 1,700 to take the total so far to almost 6,000.

Mr Underwood, of Church Road, said this was enough to complete the school building.

"We have broken the back of the project, certainly in structural terms," he stated.

The school will cater for up to 150 children aged between four and six.

The building will contain three classrooms, an office, a storeroom and some toilets.

A headteacher and two teachers will be needed to run the classes.

The next step is to equip it with materials such as blackboards and tables and chairs. But, as well as the physical equipment, there was also the need to ensure the school could survive.

"We have got to make sure the villagers have the capacity to run it themselves," said Mr Underwood.

"That means developing governors and having a community club which promotes the school and makes sure the children go there.

"That way we can ensure the school is sustainable.

"We might have to fund it for a year or two. After that, however, it will be up to the villagers."