Chough Hall Technology School in the United Kingdom (UK)  visited Bijilo Lower Basic School recently. The visit was part of the ongoing good relationship which exists between the two schools. A presentation ceremony took place at the school last Wednesday during which the headmaster of the school Mr. Kebba Fatty said the relationship between the two schools is very good. He told those gathered that the continuing development of Bijilo Lower Basic School has come about in no small part because of the kindness of Chough Hall Technology School. He said the continuing contribution is clearly shown in the construction of three new classroom blocks.

As part of the handing over ceremony the team leader of Chough Hall Ms. Sharon Jones emphasised the good relationship that exists between the two institutions, which dates back to 2004. In that year Ms. Jones came on holiday with her husband. She said that after returning to the UK she started fundraising which eventually led to the rehabilitation of the three classroom blocks. The money raised also allowed for the provision of new toilet blocks, chairs for classrooms, books for the library and the provision of electricity.

She also told those attending that she had help establish citizenship education programmes to focus on the difference between life in The Gambia and life in the UK.

For his part, the country representative of Friends of The Gambia Mr. Ousman Joof, thanked Ms. Jones for the wonderful support she has shown for Bijilo Lower Basic School in renovating a full classroom block at a cost of D100,000. He said the relationship will give the same opportunity to pupils at the school not only through the sharing of skills, which is ongoing, but also through the continued fundraising in support of Friends of The Gambia Association.

The two school teams organised a football match which saw Bijilo Lower Basic School emerge victorious on a score line of two goals to one. The programme was ended with live entertainment provided by the village cultural group.