Bijilo Lower Basic School on Wednesday 24th February received a handsome donation of educational stationary and equipment from one Mr. Paul Ryder, an Englishman, whose compound is near to the school. Meanwhile the school also benefited by a substantial donation from Jenny Lewis, also from England. The gifts included pads of A4 writing paper, exercise books, pencils, pens, rulers, erasers, calculators, HP print cartridges and five footballs. In total the gift has a value of about D30, 000 and its importation, according to a press release, was facilitated by Hadim Sanneh of HM-Trading.

Receiving the gifts, deputy headmistress, Isatou Joof, said, “We have a thousand pupils at our school and we are always grateful for any support that further assists us in developing young people. This was an important part of the Independence Day speech given by our President, Professor Alhaji Dr Yahya Jammeh and one that we take very seriously.”

Paul Ryder said, “I have been made to feel welcome here in The Gambia since recently taking up residence and it therefore pleases me to be able to make this gift. Being local I have been impressed by the politeness of this schools’ pupils and if they can follow their President’s lead they will make The Gambia an even better place to live.”