Information:
Education is the best, most important gift we can give
children. It is the tool to open doors, to provide opportunities,
to enable them to reach their potential. Every child
deserves the chance of an education.
Memorial
Nursery School 
Meridian
Nursery School
But it’s not always that easy. For many children school
is out of reach because families just can’t afford to
send them. Without an education, the cycle of poverty
and struggle will continue down the generations.
The Lisa Kent Trust was set up in 2003 to work with
the Gambian people (it is a registered charity in both
the Gambia and the U.K. with Trustees in both countries)
to provide good quality schooling.
In the last fifteen years the Trust has made great strides
and continues to develop and reach more children who
otherwise cannot afford to go to school. The first achievement
was building a nursery school of three classrooms for
children aged three to seven. The official opening was
attended by the local dignitaries – and, no less, the
Head of the Gambian Early Childhood Development Department!
The school is now bursting at the seams with 108 children
– and still there are faces at the windows of small
people who would love to attend. The majority of the
children are sponsored by people in the UK who undertake
to support, through the Trust, a specific child throughout
their education in Nursery School and beyond.
Therefore the Nursery School teachers have been funded
by the Trust to undertake a three year teacher-training
course which, amazingly, they have completed in their
own time. The school is also special in that it has
a water supply and electricity; although anyone who
knows the Gambia will be aware that these can be somewhat
spasmodic!
The Trust purchased a large plot of land in the “bush”.
The rural area had no school for miles. It took some
time but we now have a two storey school which can
therefore be seen from quite a distance! It has been
granted “Cycle” status, not commonly bestowed in the
Gambia, which means it can take children from the
age of 3 up to 16. We have eight classrooms and operate
a morning and afternoon shift. Again, we want the
best, qualified teachers; after all, it’s no less
than the children deserve. The school also has a shower
and toilet block and a huge playing field for the
beloved football!
The reputation of the Trust built up through the Nursery
School for advancing good quality education (including
working closely with the Gambian Department of Education
and introducing relevant ideas from more developed
countries) means that families have relocated to the
area in order that the children can attend the new
school. What was a lone building in the bush is now
surrounded by homes and livestock (rather than just
the inevitable termite mounds!) and is becoming a
real community.
Volunteering Work:
The Trust is funded purely by charitable means including
donations, fundraising and the sponsorship programme.
We also offer volunteering trips where people can
come to the Gambia and be involved in the work in
whatever way they wish (teaching, painting the schools,
making resources, coaching sport etc.) The trips are
tailor-made to include sightseeing and taking part
in Gambian activities and culture – the real Gambia.
The Trust is also a Duke of Edinburgh Gold Activity
provider. But be warned: saying goodbye is very hard!
If you would like more information about the Trust,
have any questions or would like to be involved in
any way, please contact Enquiries@lisakenttrust.org,
or call our Gambian Administrator on 7185155 or UK
Administrator on 07803 123 023.
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