A Fresh Coat of Paint
BFiG Busumbala Nursery School has just been given a brand-new lease of life – a fresh coat of paint!
After days of painting, sanding, touching up corners and scrubbing away the stubborn marks of years gone by, the building now shines both inside and out. Fresh, bright colours coat the walls, the classrooms look beautifully clean and organised, and the whole place suddenly feels like it’s buzzing with potential. It’s gone from simple to posh and pristine, and I can almost hear the echoey chatter of children already filling the space.
In just a couple of days, I’ll be standing there in person, walking through those newly painted classrooms and seeing the children back in class, surrounded by the hard work that so many generous people have helped make possible. I honestly can’t wait. The excitement is building more each day!
These pictures were sent to me today by our School Manager — the ever-dedicated and much-loved “Uncle” Lamin Barrow — who has been keeping everything running on the ground with his usual energy, humour and commitment to the children.
🌍 The Next Goal: Building the School Wall
Although the school is already looking fantastic, we’re just getting started. The next big mission is the boundary wall that will surround the entire 60m by 30m school site. This wall will do far more than mark the edge of the land; it will provide security, make the school safer, give the children more freedom to play, and help us look after the classrooms and equipment long-term.
And here’s the wonderful part: we can now begin the wall project!
This is all thanks to the incredible kindness of people who believe in what we’re doing. Donations came from the guests at the wedding of Steph Edwards and Mark Chidler, from the fabulous Drums Aloud family, and from the brilliant children at Albert Pritchard Infant School and Wood Green Junior School (with an extra shout-out to the legendary Matthew Wilmot, of course!).
Every single penny is helping us build something that will shape lives for years to come. It’s overwhelming how good people can be.
📌 Want to Know More?
If you’d like to see what Building Futures in The Gambia is aiming for next — the things we’re planning, the goals we’re chasing, and the big dreams we’re turning into classrooms, walls and smiles — feel free to download our current targets here:
📄 https://www.bfigcharity.org/BFiGProposal01.pdf
📄 https://www.bfigcharity.org/BFiGProposal02.pdf
And if you want a short, fascinating look at how the Busumbala Nursery School dream began, here’s the story in a nutshell:
📍 https://www.bfigcharity.org/busumbala/
✈️ Next Stop… The Gambia!
The paint is dry, the children are ready, and the wall is about to begin. My next update will be written from The Gambia itself — surrounded by sand, sunshine, drumming rhythms, and a school full of excited little learners.
I can’t wait.
Let’s keep building!
#letsbuildaschool 💛🧱📚🌍
