During the past year, Newsquest South London organisers of the Young Reporter Scheme were approached by two students from Africa, one of which was Abdoulie Jammeh from Nusrat High School in the Gambia. 

 

It was the first time the scheme had encountered a student from a school overseas and it was a totally new experience for Abdoulie, an eighteen year old in his last year at school.

 

Despite limited internet access but with determination and hard work, Abdoulie completed the scheme writing all the required articles.  It was interesting for the UK students to read about life in the Gambia and a good opportunity for Abdoulie to try his hand at journalism working for a British online newspaper. 

 

Newsquest were so impressed with his articles that he was entered into a competition at the end of the scheme and won a personal laptop.   The next question was how to get this prize safely to him.  Transporting electrical equipment to West Africa is difficult so with the help of two of the trustees from The Gambian Schools Trust, Hilary and Steve Lawther, the laptop was sent to Bradford, packaged up in a banana box, put into the charities container alongside equipment, furniture and materials bound for schools and shipped out to the Gambia.  It took four weeks to arrive and was finally presented to Abdoulie by Hilary on 11 December.  Hilary said:  “It was a moving moment for us both and Abdoulie was so grateful.” 

 

Hilary and Steve became trustees of The Gambian Schools Trust in 2003, two years after its inception.  In a country where almost 60% of the population is under sixteen years of age, the purpose of the Trust was started to improve the facilities available to teachers.  Thirteen years on, it has built and equipped five nursery schools and seven libraries.   Hilary added:  “It is very rewarding when you meet a young person who wants to shake your hand because you introduced them to books.”

 

Following weeks of solicitous anticipation, Abdoulie was finally in possession of his prize.  He was delighted and said:  “I'm short of words to express my gratitude and thanks to the team at Newsquest South London. After nearly five months of eagerly waiting to lay my hand on my first ever laptop, I have finally received it together with the letter of recognition and the 2014 Young Reporter Award brochure. 

 

“I was more than happy and glad as I have never had a laptop before, so it was an emotional moment for me.”

 

Abdoulie is now working as a freelance journalist for an online Gambian newspaper.  He is an inspiring young man with an overwhelming desire to succeed in the world of journalism.  The Young Reporter Scheme has been an opportunity for him to explore his creativity and he hopes to travel to the UK to further his education at a British University so will be looking for sponsorship to achieve this dream.

 

For more information about the Gambian Schools Trust please visit their website: www.gambianschools.org