|
THE future for children like Fatou is: NOW educate while in good health NOW work for the future |
|||
| Home Future News Projects Donations Addresses Sponsors |
Stichting Geef Gambia Toekomst
Watch the Video Interview.
Pieter and Henny
Goedhart, the founders of the Foundation "Give Gambia a Future", visit
the Gambia since 1996. Straight from the beginning, - in this country
that has become very dear to them -, they were deeply moved by the
population, which, notwithstanding their painful poverty, always
remains friendly. They decided to dedicate part of their time and
energy to strive for a more humanitarian existence for these people.
During eight years they assisted, with another foundation, in creating
a primary school in the interior of the country. In 2002 they decided
to create their current Foundation "Give Gambia a Future".
From experience they know, that this foundation should focus on three
primary needs:
1: Education
2: Support for medical care
3: Irrigation
After having lived a
very intense business life in the Netherlands, Henny and Pieter now
spend six months a
year in the Gambia. They have done so since 2003. That way they can
personally be instrumental in the creation and support of the various
projects. They pay for this out of their own pocket. The philosophy of
the foundation is, that all money that is donated will be fully
allocated to the different projects. Travel, board and lodging are
personal expenses.
In the past ten years many organisations have directed their attention
towards building primary schools. Sometimes even a secondary school was
established, encouraging the pupils to continue another three years.
After having spent nine years in school their educational level is
comparable to the sixth grade in our western world.
A totally new problem is now evident. After having completed the
secondary school there are no suitable schools for further,
professional, training. And if they do exist, they are usually too
expensive for this largely impoverished population.
That is the reason, why the Foundation "Give Gambia a Future" is now
directing its energy and resources towards the development of the young
people.