The American School of Doha (ASD) Upper Elementary Executive Council put on their first fundraiser of the year which 14, Grade 5 students named the event, Get Your Burger on for The Gambia.
With the generosity of Americana: Qatar’s Food Company, which provided the patties, buns and condiments, over 240 elementary students enjoyed a freshly barbequed burger.
The Executive Student Council, with the help of Alli Farmer, a Grade 5 classroom teacher, and Sara MacDonald, upper elementary counsellor, organised the successful event. It was aimed at raising approximately QR3,000 while thanks to the generosity of the ASD community the goal was greatly surpassed with the official amount raised being QR8,320.
The money raised will be donated to the National Federation of Gambia Unesco Clubs and Centers (Unesco-United Nations Educational, Scientific, Cultural Organisation) to help support local schools in Gambia. The Federation brings together all Unesco clubs and centres in Gambia. Unesco clubs are groups of people from all walks of life who are promoting the ideals and activities of Unesco to maintain peace and security.
Through this organisation and with the help of the Nova Scotia Gambia Association, and Run for Life Non-Profit Organisation, local schools in Gambia will be provided with educational needs such as building maintenance, art supplies, sports equipment and technological demands.
“These organisations have already provided so much for school communities in Gambia. They have built a computer lab; a solar hub to generate energy for the computer lab; and a water well with a water tank. Additionally, they have created a boys and girls football club with equipment and uniforms,” says Sara MacDonald.
An art programme was also started by paying for the art teacher and the needed supplies. “The Upper Elementary Executive Council is proud to be a part of this great cause and thank all people who participated in this event,” she adds.
Since 1985, the Nova Scotia-Gambia Association (NSGA) has worked with West Africans and Canadians to build healthy communities in Gambia. Through education and health promotion initiatives, NSGA staff and volunteers have become a major force in youth and community education in West Africa.
NSGA works to foster youth leadership, develop skills, and encourage citizenship. Its programmes feature interactive and multimedia techniques that demonstrate a positive spirit and creative energy. It provides opportunities for youth, students, professionals, and community members to become involved in its projects at home and abroad. Over 700 work and volunteer placements have been created by the organisation since its inception.
Its projects emphasise the concept of learning through active involvement. It uses drama and theatre, radio and community video shows, and peer education techniques to build healthy communities and to introduce its programmes. The topics include gender equity, environmental sustainability, malaria prevention, ebola prevention and education, landmine sensitisation and education, sexual and reproductive health, including voluntary and confidential HIV testing and counselling, environmental education and illuminating the successes of Canadian-African development efforts and combating stereotype.
Thirty years since its establishment, NSGA is well-respected in Canada and West Africa. In addition to its programmes in Gambia, the organisation has worked in Sierra Leone between 2002 and August 2010 as the Nova Scotia-Sierra Leone Programme on a wide variety of projects with at-risk communities and youth across the country.
Linkages with local schools, universities, service clubs, church organisations, and community groups in Nova Scotia have expanded over the years.
The projects have received financial support from national and international funders, in addition to significant in-kind and fund raising contributions from individual participants. Currently, NSGA supports a busy field office in Gambia and a head office in Halifax.
LARGE-HEARTED: The ASD community support helped surpass the initial target of the fundraiser.
