About Us

The Famous Four go to Windsor Castle

“BUILDING A BETTER FUTURE Through Education”

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Our Story
In 2007, Afrikaya was formed with a simple but powerful mission: to build a nursery school for children in The Gambia who struggled to access education. Our vision has always been to empower the New Yundum community to take greater control of their lives and, through education, break the cycle of poverty.
Thanks to generous donations and the tireless efforts of supporters in both The Gambia and the UK, we have achieved every building target set. Many of you have helped us through sponsorship, attending our events, or even organising your own in aid of Afrikaya. Whatever your support — past, present, or future — from the children of The Gambia, the community in New Yundum, and from us, the trustees: a heartfelt thank you.

Recent Achievements
Our main target for 2024/25 was to build a library and reading room in memory of the late Vicky Sander, who championed reading at the school. By the end of 2025, we also proudly incorporated a dedicated music room.

Who Are We?

Afrikaya is a Pewsey [Wiltshire] based charity, with full charitable status, registered with the Charity Commissioners in the UK [1132367].

Our Trustees
Afrikaya Nursery School is guided by four dedicated trustees:

Geoff and Di Miles, and Sanjeen & Helen Payne‑Kumar.
Together, they carry the responsibility of governing and directing how the charity is created, managed, and run.
What makes their leadership remarkable is that every hour they give is voluntary. Between them, they bring a wealth of expertise in:

• Management & finance
• Marketing & business development
• Product & strategic management
• Child protection & youth work
• Voluntary sector management
• Counselling & psychotherapy
• Social studies
• Fundraising & events
  …and above all, an incredible amount of passion.
  Thanks to their commitment, Afrikaya has grown into a well‑run charitable organisation that not only provides nursery education for children under seven, but also creates employment for 14 local staff and delivers training opportunities for the wider community.

Celebrating Achievement
We are immensely proud to share that our co‑founder and trustee, Di Miles, has been awarded an MBE for services to Education in The Gambia by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office in the 2024 New Year’s Honours List. This recognition is a testament to her tireless dedication and the impact Afrikaya continues to make.

Management Team, The Gambia:
Alimamo Cessay:​​ Head of School
Baboucarr Mboub:​​​ Head of Teaching; Sunkary Manneh, Deputy Head of Teaching

For information about the teaching staff and the ground staff, please go to The School.

A Symbol of Strength

The land for the school was purchased in September 2010. While walking the site with members of the local community, Geoff asked about the name of a tree growing there. Malang, the artist, replied:

“It is now named after the man who gave you fire (inspiration), Kebba. It is a reminder of him always with his strong roots.”

That tree has become a symbol of strength, growth, and life — a fitting tribute to his memory and a reminder of the deep roots Afrikaya has in the community.

Where does the charity operate?

Afrikaya Nursery School stands proudly in New Yundum, Kombo North, in The Gambia’s West Coast Region. The township stretches along the Brikama Highway, about 27 kilometers from the capital, Banjul, and just over 8 kilometers from Brikama.
Not long ago, New Yundum was a quiet rural community. Today it is growing into a lively township, though facilities remain scarce—especially on the western side of the highway where the school now welcomes children. Before Afrikaya was built, little ones had to walk three kilometers each way, crossing the busy dual carriageway, just to reach the nearest nursery school. Now, they have a safe, welcoming place to learn right in their own community.

At the heart of this story is Alimamo Ceesay, Afrikaya’s Representative in The Gambia. Since 2010, when the site was nothing more than a patch of land, Alimamo has poured his energy and pride into turning a dream into reality. Today, as Head of School, he not only oversees the building and development but also manages Afrikaya’s finances in The Gambia. Working hand in hand with Baboucarr Mboub, Head of Teaching, he ensures that the school is a place of joy, learning, and hope for every child who walks through its doors.

Contact in UK: afrikayathecharity@gmail.com

Contact in The Gambia is Alimamo on: [0220] 706 08 59; Whatsapp [0220] 3192348