Updated
February 18, 2002

Mariama and Edrissa were originally sponsored by Barbara Barnatan now Barbara's daughter Esther sponsors Mariama
and Tony and Helen Murtagh sponsor Edrissa's last school year.

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Edrissa starts work

Edrissa Gassama now hope to finish school and maybe take a job wih some sporting links

Edrissa at home

In the evening sun

Almost our first members, Harold and Esther Shortt & family are almost a charity in their own rights. Raising money and helping their own adopted family in Gambia. I hope one day Esther will send us some more information and pictures about them.

Esther's mum, Barbara has also been generous enough to support two GTS kids. Both selected by May, (who over the time she has spent living in Gambia is able to ensure that the sponsorship goes to the most needy and hard working - so the most deserving kids through their own efforts)

Mariama and Edrissa from different families, both live within a mile of Mays compound.

Edrissa has had to miss several years of schooling due to lack of funds but is so determined to get his qualifications that he returns to being a school boy as soon as he can afford another year. Not only is is good academically but he is an excellent sportsman and represents his school 'Gambia High' in Banjul at every sporting event.

In August 2001, I was lucky enough to meet Edrissa in the street and he was pleased to tell me he had finished his school and that he was now doing small jobs to earn the money to go on a 9 month computer course starting later in the year.

Mariama is younger and a lovely little girl, she hopes to progress through school with support from GTS sponsors and take all her exams. Girls in The Gambia are less likely to stay on at school and GTS is trying to ensure that we support as many girls to reach their educational potential as boys.

Mariama and friends

I took several pictures of Mariama and her family, but unfortunately my camera was stolen that evening along with the pictures of Mariama.

The Shortts provided a disposable camera, and May has obtain more pictures of them both for Barabara and the website. Letters, school reports and more pictures arrived in late June and have been sent to Esther's mum.

I missed Mariama in August on both of the occasions I was in Faji Kunda, but may says she is making good progress at school and will go up a grade in September

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