We inaugurated our two new rooms in September and also financed a room for the public school which was finished at Christmas. This room then served as a venue for a much demanded adult literacy class which took place during the dry season when there is less work for people. Over 150 people followed the course in various groups, mainly young mothers who had not had the opportunity to attend school, but also older women and men who have seen that the skills their children are learning at school are useful.

Next year is going to be yet another very important year for Malima and Gouria, full of challenges and we hope satisfactions. We are hoping that the first of our children are going to be presented for the Primary School leaving Certificate. The challenge here is not only the exam, but also to ensure that these young people get the opportunity to continue their education. These are the first students. If they all enrol at secondary school then for others afterwards the step will be much easier. There are many difficulties to be faced. One is the distance from Gouria to a really decent secondary school, the nearest being in Mokolo, at 50kms. The children would have to lodge with family or friends if they attended there. Then there is the problem of fees, equipment and uniforms, all quite cheap but beyond the reach of many of our students. Then there is the relatively low level of understanding of the benefits of secondary education in particular for girls. Not to mention the fear of some parents that their daughters will be forced to pay for good marks in exams by sleeping with the teachers. In any case we are quite optimistic that with a little support our students will be able to take this step.

For me the next year looks very exciting. I will be working in Gouria the whole year around. Apart from working with our own children and teachers I am hoping to be able to set up a small teachers Resource Centre where teachers from all of the primary schools in the area can come to share the resources which, meagre as they still are, stand out as by far the best in the area. We would like to be able to bring children from other schools to sports days, cultural events, celebration days….so that the benefits our children have because of your support can be shared with as many others as possible.

We are still hoping to find enough money for the electrification of the village but as yet this has not happened. Maybe next year will be the year!