Worldclass
Worldclass is one of our Ridgemede Extra Clubs, but it is also an important part of the life of our whole school.
Click here for the latest WorldClass news bulletin.
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I looked on Google and entered “Gambian charities” and up popped P.A.G.E.A.N.T. I emailed them telling them about our clearout in school and within a very short time Ian Howard from P.A.G.E.A.N.T. phoned me and thanked for the offer of our stationery and told me that when a crate was next sent to The Gambia our things could be included. Whilst on the phone Ian told me all about their charity and how it was formed. I became interested and consequently because a member of P.A.G.E.A.N.T. which stands for (Projects Aiding Gambian Education and Natural Talent).
Ridgemede children knew about my communication with a Gambian family and were always asking me questions about African culture and whenever there was a question I couldn’t answer, I would ask my Gambian family for help.
It was during this time, I felt it would be lovely for Ridgemede children if they could ask their own questions to children in a Gambian school, so I approached Pippa Howard and she immediately said she had the perfect school for our children to write to. This is where our link with Abuko Lower Basic School began. The school is situated in a small village called Lamin, which is approximately 30 minutes drive from Banjul International Airport. In September 2005 Abuko School had 300 children, but in June 2007 they moved to a larger building funded by the Gambian government and they now have over 700 children. |
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So, in September 2005 I started an after school club called Worldclass! We started with 22 children and in October 2007 our numbers had risen to 156!! Each Ridgemede Worldclass child has their own Gambian pen friend. Because of the high number of children it was impossible to have just one session of Worldclass a week, so I now have 1 after school club and 3 lunchtime clubs.
We exchange letters approximately four times a year and we are very grateful to P.A.G.E.A.N.T. and their members for kindly taking the letters to Gambia each time and bringing letters back from Abuko School. Pippa and Ian Howard also came into Ridgemede and ran a “Gambian Mini market stall” selling traditional crafts and raised over £200.
I wrote an article about Worldclass for Learning Support magazine and for this article I was paid £25. I decided the money should be used for Ridgemede Worldclass and therefore bought a trophy and had it inscribed with Worldclass Pupil of the week. It is presented each week in assembly to the child I believe has contributed the most to Worldclass and they are also given a certificate to keep. In May 2007 my husband and I decided to sponsor a child through P.A.G.E.A.N.T. We pay £80 per year to secure the education of an 8 year old boy called Alfusainney Daffey and I am particular proud to be able to do this.
Ridgemede School now sponsor a child from Abuko. His name is Pahali Jammeh, and he is on the right-hand side of the picture at the side of this writing.
Of course, I am immensely proud to be the co-ordinator of such a successful club at Ridgemede, but much of the praise must go to all 160 children, because without their constant enthusiasm, commitment and dedication we wouldn’t have Worldclass. (written by Jeannette Mars, October, 2007)
UPDATE - December, 2007 The governors of Ridgemede have kindly agreed to give the money to Worldclass children to enable them to sponsor Hassan Jammeh, the third of the triplets at Abuko Lower Basic School in the Gambia and the funding has been transferred already, so that when the money is given to Pahali and Isatou Jammeh, Hassan will receive his too! Therefore, Worldclass children are now sponsoring three Gambian children - a wonderful achievement. |
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I have been corresponding with a Gambian family on a regular basis since my first visit to The Gambia in 1997. I work as a Teaching Assistant here at Ridgemede Junior School and one day we decided to have a mega clear out on the stock cupboard – at the back were books and paper that were so old they were turning yellow. We have no use for them in school, so I asked if they could be sent to The Gambia for them to use. This was not a problem and my next job was to find out how to get them there. In the meantime they were stored in the back of my garage!
Click here to visit the pageant website.
To find out more about Worldclass, e-mail Jeannette: Jeannette Mars