I believe that education is the key to a more fulfilling life. It has certainly helped me – it expanded my mind, sparked my curiosity, allowed me to travel, enabled me to connect with more diverse people, increased my opportunities and empowered me to aim higher. Now I would like to give back and help to empower Gambia's new generation to build a better future for themselves and their country.

Until recently I did not even know where exactly in Africa The Gambia was, but one conversation changed it all. A friend from my hometown volunteered in The Gambia earlier this year and has been overwhelmed by their generosity and openness. This is how "Mariale - Friends with the Gambia "was born – it's an independent fundraising project, aiming to improve access to education in The Gambia. What inspired me to get involved with Mariale, is the belief that small steps make big changes: by helping the school, we’re helping the community. I have decided not only to contribute with fundraising but also to go to the Gambia myself! I'm going to spend four weeks in March next year, teaching children English. I'm sure it will be an extraordinary experience:)

#Education4all is the inaugural Mariale project. We are raising funds for the renovation of a roof in a primary school in Kunkujang Mariama, Gambia. There are 2,300 children learning there every day. The school is very important for the whole community and for many of the children it is the only place where they feel safe and can have a meal. However, the school building is in very poor condition and classrooms are regularly flooded during the rainy season. As a result, children are forced to sit in puddles of rainwater which is a threat to their health and safety. They need our help, urgently!

We would like to empower local people and maximize the resources, so the benefit of the project has a wide-reaching effect for the whole community. Thanks to a close partnership with local missionaries we have a great understanding of the local reality and well-established network of contacts. This will enable us to employ the local craftsmen to renovate the roof and help many local families to support themselves.

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