Exciting Times! We’re Building a Wall

🌱 We’re Building a Wall at Busumbala Nursery School!

Great news from The Gambia! Building Futures in The Gambia is officially ready to begin building the protective boundary wall around BFiG Busumbala Nursery School — building a wall is a truly exciting step for our little school community.

This wall isn’t just bricks and mortar. It will help shape the future of our children. Here’s why it matters so much:

🛡️ Safety first: The wall will protect the children from the busy traffic running right past the school.
🎨 Space to grow & learn: We’ll be able to create proper play and learning areas.
🌿 A school garden: Gardening is a key part of the Gambian school curriculum, and we’ll finally have space to plant, explore and learn.
🌳 A greener, happier space: Trees, shade, colour, and life — the school will become more inviting for everyone.

The photos attached show just how close the road runs to the school, as well as a rough outline of where the wall will stand. It’s a massive step forward, and we owe it to some incredible supporters.

🙏 Thank You to Our Amazing Helpers

We are only able to begin this project because of the generous fundraising efforts of:

🎉 Matthew Wilmot and the pupils, families and staff of Albert Pritchard Infant and Wood Green Junior Federated Schools
🎉 The brilliant Drums Aloud family
🎉 The wedding guests of Steph Edwards and Mark Chidler

Your kindness builds more than walls — it builds futures. Thank you.

🚧 Phase One Begins Now

Funds are now being sent to our School Manager, ‘Uncle’ Lamin Barrow, to buy 100 bags of cement and two lorry loads of sand. The plan is to complete Phase One of the wall before the start of Ramadan at the end of February.

This timing couldn’t be more meaningful. By hiring local builders at this time of year, we’re helping them earn income to support their families through Ramadan. Employment for them means security, dignity and hope, and we’re proud to make that part of our project.

🎥 P.S. Bonus!
There’s also a short video of me teaching a song to our nursery children — filmed by Uncle Lamin. It’s probably the most you’ll ever see of me performing on camera… and that’s definitely a blessing! 😆