May 2026 Newsletter

May has been a wonderfully busy month at Afrikaya, full of achievements, celebrations, and moments that remind us why your support matters so much.

Football Shirts Arrive in The Gambia

After a long journey, the football shirts donated by Bath City FC finally reached West Side United — and the excitement was enormous. The team were absolutely delighted, and Afrikaya even made it into the local Bath press, Bath City News.
Bath City FC • West Side United

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Graduations Coming Up – Without the Robes

We have an unusually large number of children graduating in July and moving on to Primary School. This year, the Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education has directed that graduation robes are not to be worn at leaving ceremonies. I can’t say I’m sorry — the children look just as proud without them.

In preparation, I’ve completed the children’s Year Books, which they will receive as a keepsake of their time at Afrikaya.

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OneChildOneTree – Growing Futures

Our OneChildOneTree project continues. Each child plants a fruit pip at the start of the school year and takes home their own fruit tree when they leave. This year, we seem to have a bumper crop of orange trees.
OneChildOneTree • Fruit trees

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School Outing – Abuko Nature Reserve & Lamin Lodge

The leavers enjoyed their annual school outing, this time to Abuko Nature Reserve and Lamin Lodge.

Abuko is The Gambia’s oldest protected wildlife area — small but incredibly biodiverse, with dense gallery forest and rich birdlife. It’s always a favourite trip for the children.
Abuko Nature Reserve • Lamin Lodge

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Afrikaya Sponsored Walk – A Shared Journey

The highlight of the month was our big fundraiser: the Afrikaya Sponsored Walk.

For the first time, the top two classes (40 children), along with Alimamo and all the teachers, walked at the same time as our supporters in the UK. The children sang as they walked — pure joy in motion. We were especially happy to see one of our sponsors, Martina, join the children on the walk.

🎥 Watch the children walking and singing:
https://youtu.be/-KzbJzrVALY?feature=shared
Afrikaya Walk

We even had 2 babies join us on the walk. One here and one in The Gambia – Malick, son of our teacher Mamu.

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We raised nearly £1,700 between the UK and The Gambia. It’s not too late to donate if you’d like to encourage the children further.

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For those interested in the Wiltshire route, Geoff has written a lovely blog:
https://afrikaya.co.uk/events/afrikaya-walk-a-story-told-in-footsteps/
Geoff’s blog

Tobaski Break

School closes today for a week’s break as next week is Tobaski (Eid Al‑Adha), honouring the prophet Ibrahim’s willingness to sacrifice his son in obedience to God.

We haven’t run a Tobaski Appeal this year — it felt too soon after Ramadan and so close to the sponsored walk. But if you would like to contribute a little towards the children’s post‑Tobaski celebrations, we certainly won’t say no.
Tobaski

A Final Smile – The Dream Room

I have to finish with the sweetest moment from last week: a short video of the 3‑year‑olds having a lesson in the Dream Room.
Do watch with sound — it will brighten your day.
https://youtube.com/shorts/qNh_5DV591M?si=M99X6H4aDkGxKb9O
Dream Room

Thank you, as always, for your kindness, generosity, and belief in Afrikaya. You make all of this possible.

Warmest wishes,
Di