November Report 2025 from Labakoreh: Developments in School and Village

Dear members, supporters and friends of our association,

I have now been in Gambia for four weeks. During this period, a total of thirteen members, donors and sympathisers of our association experienced an eventful and impressive stay. Yesterday we said goodbye to Hella and Angelika – and now I am enjoying the last four days with Malve, without appointments and with many conversations in the village and in my surroundings.

In the meantime, the weather has changed. The persistent temperatures above 30 °C and the rain have passed. Everything is green and in bloom. The winter season (dry season) has begun – for us with very pleasant temperatures.

Activity Report

Before six more friends arrived on 1 November, we had already been able to complete numerous organisational tasks. William visited his sponsored families. Hella and Malve, together with their friends, packed gifts for 137 children in temperatures well above 30 °C; these were handed over during our official visit on 3 November. Erik coordinated the date for the planned celebration with the Alkalo. School fees were paid to the older students. Staff received their October wages. Together with Fatu, the head of the school, we settled the finances from January to October. After these many tasks and the heat, we often returned to the hotel completely exhausted in the evenings.

Our Official Visit to Labakoreh

On 3 November, the teachers and children formed a guard of honour and welcomed us with singing. It is always an impressive moment for us.We also visited the expanded garden areas. The women had already begun preparing their plots. We are very pleased that this project – financed by our association and NUE – has become such a sustainable success for the women of the village. According to the president of the garden cooperative, fifty women now work there and contribute to supporting their families with healthy, self-produced food.

One Celebration – Two Continents

As previously announced on our website, we celebrated our 25th anniversary in Bützow (Germany/Europe).
In Labakoreh (Gambia/Africa), the Alkalo (mayor) had a celebration prepared by the women of the village as a gesture of gratitude. It was a remarkable experience for all of us, full of joy and shared moments.

Jawara, a teacher at our school, received a certificate and a monetary award from our association for his twenty-five years of service.

Traditional Children’s Beach Festival

We once again held our traditional beach festival with the children. A visit to the sea once a year is a special experience that we want to share with the children of the village. While bathing, we bear particular responsibility: only up to the ankles in the Atlantic, as the undertow can be dangerous.

The fact that the 130 children and staff arrived three hours later than planned did not change anything – it was a wonderful day for everyone.

Repair and Construction Work

As the roof of the school had subsided in the area of the fifth classroom, metal supports had to be installed. The roof sheets were damaged in the process and had to be replaced. The work was completed in the third week.

Schwaaner Eintracht on Two Continents

A particular highlight was the handover of new jerseys to a football team in the village. The team has carried the name “Schwaaner Eintracht” since last year, as this club had previously sponsored footballs. The jerseys were financed by two travelling supporters of our association.

Education Changes Lives

Several weeks ago, we launched a fundraising appeal for a young woman from our village who wishes to complete a degree in anaesthesia nursing. Amie had already completed four years of nursing training – funded by a supporter of the association. I have accompanied her development for twenty-five years. Her mother raised her alone. Amie has become a very diligent and determined young woman. Her academic results have always been excellent, often with distinction. She passed the entrance examination at the only university offering this programme. She must complete six semesters within two years. We financed the first semester fee of €840 through donations. I hope we will succeed in securing funding for the second year as well. Amie is deeply grateful for this support.

We visited her at the university and were welcomed by two professors who gave us insight into the programme.

The now 27-year-old Abtoilie will complete his master’s degree next December – supported by a friend of Gambia from Graal-Müritz. We are very pleased about this.

Education indeed changes lives.

Thanks

With almost thirty years of experience in this country, I am increasingly aware of how effective this form of support truly is – enabling young people to receive a solid education, as our association “Bützower für Gambia” has done for twenty-five years. Much has changed for the better as a result.

My long-standing colleagues in the association confirm this view. I would like to express my sincere thanks to them.

Everything for the children of Labakoreh.