Progress, Partnerships and a Powerful Legacy in The Gambia
At Building Futures in The Gambia, the rhythm of school life doesn’t stop for long. With both Ramadan and Easter now behind us, work and progress has resumed with renewed energy at BFiG Busumbala Nursery School—and there’s a real sense that something special is continuing to grow here.
🚽 Building Better Futures – One Brick at a Time
Construction of our new toilet block is moving forward once again, and it’s a vital step in improving health, hygiene and dignity for our children.
School Manager Lamin Barrow is currently overseeing the latest phase of work, ensuring that everything is done properly and sustainably. The plumbing system is now being connected to the soakaway, which was carefully dug and constructed just before Christmas.
Meanwhile, deliveries of stone are helping to shape the next stage:
- Construction of the toilet manhole
- Formation of a safe step leading up to the toilets
It may sound like simple infrastructure—but in The Gambia, these improvements are transformative. They directly impact attendance, wellbeing, and the everyday experience of school for our children.
👩🏾🏫 Looking Ahead – A Third Teacher for a Growing School
Behind the scenes, conversations are already underway about the next big step.
Our senior teacher, Mariama Fatty, and I are exploring the possibility of employing a third teacher to open up our final classroom. But it’s all dependent on having enough donations coming in every month.
👉 Donate | Building Futures in the Gambia
As always in The Gambia, plans evolve, adapt, and sometimes change direction entirely—but the ambition remains clear:
👉 to give more children access to early years education in Busumbala Village
Watch this space… because this could be a big moment for the school.
🌍 Visitors Who Carry a Legacy
We were also delighted to welcome back familiar faces to the school.
Rebecca James, alongside her partner Ben and her brother Jacob, visited BFiG Busumbala Nursery School once again—almost exactly a year after their previous visit.
But this visit carries a deeper story. A story of commitment, kindness, and legacy.
❤️ Remembering Chris James
Rebecca’s father, Chris James, had a long and meaningful relationship with The Gambia.
Through his work as a school governor in Dudley during the late 2000s, Chris first connected with the country—and from that moment on, he returned year after year, quietly supporting:
- Schools
- Families
- Community projects
He never sought recognition. No headlines. No spotlight.
Just practical help, given where it was needed most.
During those visits, Lamin Barrow was always by his side—his driver, his guide, and ultimately, his friend. Over time, that working relationship became something much deeper.
I was fortunate enough to meet Chris and Rebecca during one of my own visits back in 2014—and it was immediately clear what kind of person he was.
A good man. A quietly remarkable man.
💔 A Loss Felt Across Continents
In February 2024, Chris James sadly passed away far too soon.
But what he started did not end there.
Rebecca has made sure of that.
Since his passing, she has continued to visit The Gambia each year—carrying forward her father’s work with compassion and determination.
During her most recent visit in January 2026, she:
- Helped organise repairs to tables and chairs at Talinding Lower Basic School
- Distributed bags of rice to those in need
- Donated clothes to local communities
- Visited and supported BFiG Busumbala Nursery School
And perhaps most moving of all…
One of Chris’s final wishes was to ensure the continued employment of a member of staff at our school.
🌟 A Lasting Impact That Changes Lives
Because of Chris and Rebecca’s generosity, we are able to employ our wonderful school nanny, Mero, whose care and support are invaluable to our children every single day.
Their ongoing monthly donation doesn’t just support a role—it supports:
- Safeguarding
- Care
- Stability
- Love within the school
Quite simply, BFiG Busumbala Nursery School would not exist in the way it does today without their support.
🙏 Honouring a Legacy That Lives On
At Building Futures in The Gambia, we often talk about building futures.
But sometimes, we are also privileged to carry forward a legacy.
Chris James may no longer be with us, but his impact is visible every single day:
- In the laughter of children
- In the classrooms we continue to build
- In the opportunities now open to young lives
And I am incredibly proud—and deeply honoured—to say this:
👉 BFiG Busumbala Nursery School is part of the legacy left behind by Chris James.
📣 How You Can Help
If you’d like to be part of this journey—helping us build classrooms, employ teachers, and support children in The Gambia—you can find out more here:
👉 Visit: https://www.bfigcharity.org/
If you’d like to support us financially then please visit:
👉 Donate | Building Futures in the Gambia
And find out even more here:
👉 Why Building a Nursery School in The Gambia Really Matters | Busumbala Project
👉 Why Nursery Education in The Gambia Matters | Building Futures in the Gambia
👉 Makumbaya to Busumbala – An Amazing Journey That Built Futures | Building Futures in the Gambia
