Helping Our Friends in The Gambia
Our Connection with The Gambia
Mrs Bennett, who is responsible for all things musical at St Katharine’s (as well as being a school Governor!), established contact with COGS – Children of Gambia Services – a charity set up in 2007. The vision of the charity is to build, equip and maintain a nursery school and medical centre in The Gambia. Their first project was in the village of Jabang and the main site was completed near the end of 2010. Through Friendly Smiles, Mrs Bennett continues to support their work with annual visits (sometimes accompanied by other members of the St Katharine’s staff team) and fundraising.
Our Values
This partnership helps St Katharine’s children live out our core values — showing compassion, courage, and service — by fundraising, sharing, and advocating for those in need. Each year, children hold events to raise money for medical supplies and school resources for Jabang. Our most recent OFSTED report (November 2022) noted, “Pupils glow with excitement when describing their link with a school in The Gambia. They have raised funds to pay for new flooring and sports equipment in the Gambian school. They share letters and video messages with their friends and love hearing about life in The Gambia.”
Our Year 6 children had a lovely afternoon entertaining the Senior Club with West African drumming and singing! Mrs Bennett updated the Club about her recent visit to The Gambia and thanked them for their continuing support.