In May 2015, The Gambia Christian Association of Washington DC will be celebrating ten years of existence as an organization. During the last ten years this group have went on their business and silently in their own way, play vital roles in the lives of many young people in The Gambia. The organization also adopted the Cathedral of our Lady Parish in Banjul where they have been very involved in the up keep of the sanctuary. It is deeds like these that need to be trumpeted and Gainako is most delighted to help tell the story of this unique group in the Diaspora.
The GCPA-DC Scholarship Program is the framework of the organization’s vision to be a catalyst for change by sponsoring and promoting educational excellence through scholarships, literacy programs, and skills development in The Gambia. The primary goal is to provide scholarships to Gambian children who have not had smooth paths to education due to financial constraints.
The inception of this program in 2008 came about through the wisdom of Michael J. Cleary, the Roman Catholic Bishop Emeritus of the Diocese of Banjul, The Gambia, a former educationist and Principal of St. Augustine’s High School who dedicated part of his life to academic excellence combined with sports and who always believed that the best way to impact ones’ life was through education.
The program is managed by Michael Goddard and the selection and evaluation processes are administered by our trusted partners, Janet Daniels and Nfamara Saidykhan of the Archdeacon Matthias George Memorial Charity Trust (AMGMST), a registered British charity operating in The Gambia, West Africa. At a nominal fee, the services of AMGMST are procured to prevent nepotism and conflict of interest in identifying the scholarship recipients. Stringent criteria are employed in the selection and evaluation of the scholarship recipients based on academic performance and need. Academic progress reports are provided to GCPA-DC at the end of every school year.
As of fiscal year 2013, GCPA-DC has successfully awarded 186 academic scholarships to students of the University of The Gambia, tertiary institutions, secondary and primary schools.
These institutions include: Archdeacon Matthias George School, Bakoteh Upper Basic School, Banjulinding Upper Basic School, Bundung School, Charles Jowe School, Gambia High School, Kandiba Primary School, Latri-Kunda Sabii Lower Basic School, Methodist Special School, Min Daw School, Nusrat High School, St. Augustine’s High School, St. John’s School for the Deaf, St. Joseph’s High School, St. Peter’s High school, St. Peter’s Technical School, St. Theresa’s Junior Secondary School, Redeemer’s International Primary School, and University of the Gambia.
Numbers of GCPA-DC Scholarships awarded per academic year are:
- CY 2008 – 2009: 20 Scholarships
- CY 2009 – 2010: 27 Scholarships
- CY 2010 – 2011: 27 Scholarships
- CY 2011 – 2012: 31 Scholarships
- CY 2012 – 2013: 39 Scholarships
- CY 2013 – 2014: 42 Scholarships
The 2013-2014 academic year scholarship recipients, schools and grades are:
GCPA SPONSORED STUDENTS 2013-14 | ||
SCHOOL | Student | GRADES |
Anna Marie Riverre School | Jatta Paul D | 3 |
Archdeacon Matthias George Memorial School | Sowe Awa | 12 |
Bakoteh Upper Basic School | Markelo Mariyama | 9 |
Bundung Lower Basic School | Badjie Doudou | 6 |
Methodist Special School | Camara Mariyama | Groups |
Methodist Special School | Jallow Modou Juma | Groups |
Methodist Special School | Jatta Kalidou | Groups |
Methodist Special School | John Ricard | Groups |
Methodist Special School | Sambou Lowie | Groups |
Methodist Special School | Sarr Ancha | Groups |
Methodist Special School | Sonko Willio Njaga | Groups |
Nusrat High School | Jallow Modou F | 10 |
Nusrat High School | Sanneh Lamin | 11 |
St Augustine’s Senior Secondary | Drammeh Kemo | 12 |
St Augustine’s Senior Secondary | Sambou Youspha | 12 |
St John’s School for the Deaf | Bayo Isatou | 10 |
St John’s School for the Deaf | Kanyi Aramata | 11 |
St John’s School for the Deaf | Saye Anty | 10 |
St Joseph’s Senior Secondary School | Jatta Banna | 10 |
St Joseph’s Senior Secondary School | Kurublay Dado | 10 |
St Peter’s Senior Secondary Technical School | Camara Saika | 10 |
St Peter’s Upper Basic School | Drammeh Ida | 8 |
St Peter’s Senior Secondary Technical School | Gomez Marie Rose | 10 |
St Peter’s Senior Secondary Technical School | Jallow Alassan | 10 |
St Peter’s Senior Secondary Technical School | Jarju Esperance | 11 |
St Peter’s Senior Secondary Technical School | Jatta Clarice | 11 |
St Peter’s Senior Secondary Technical School | Mendy Joseph T | 11 |
St Peter’s Senior Secondary Technical School | Mendy Lam | 11 |
St Peter’s Senior Secondary Technical School | Mendy Nicola B | 10 |
St Peter’s Upper Basic School | Mendy Odette P | 8 |
St Peter’s Senior Secondary Technical School | Prierra Marie N | 12 |
St Peter’s Technical S Sec Sch | Darboe Ramatoulie | 10 |
St Peter’s Upper Basic School | Jallow Fatoumatta | 9 |
St Peter’s Technical S Sec Sch | Jarju Mariama | 10 |
St Peter’s Senior Secondary Technical School | Kumba Abraham | 11 |
St Peter’s Senior Secondary Technical School | Mendy Bruno | 10 |
St Theresa’s Upper Basic School | Badjie Anna | 8 |
St Theresa’s Upper Basic School | Kunjo Ebrima | 8 |
St Theresa’s Upper Basic School | Mendy Odette | 8 |
Tahir Amadiyaa Senior Secondary School | Baldeh Sarjo | 10 |
Talinnding Upper Basic School | Marenah Lamin | 9 |
Talinnding Upper Basic School | Darbou Bubacarr | 9 |
42 students |
The GCPA-DC Scholarship Program had awarded numerous scholarships that are dedicated to specific causes in The Gambia. Namely:
- The Joseph Gough Student-Athlete Scholarshipdedicated to students at Saint Augustine’s and Saint Joseph’s Senior Secondary Schools in recognition of his invaluable service to The Gambia.
- The N’Dow KundaScholarship dedicated to female education for female students at Saint Joseph’s Senior Secondary School.
- The GCPA-DC Seminary Scholarshipwas dedicated to Bishop Michael Cleary for his invaluable service and commitment to academic excellence in The Gambia, his faithful dedication to the promotion of the Vocations and an acknowledgement of his wisdom for the inception of GCPA-DC.
- And four GCPA-DC Academic Scholarships dedicated to Sukai Prom-Jackson, Mr. Rolf Christensen, Aja Sainabou Sarr, and Mr. Michael Goddard, fortheir respective exceptional support to GCPA-DC and The Gambian community.
Scholarship funds are raised during the annual fundraising gala on Memorial Day week-end to directly support this endeavor. The success of the organization and its vital scholarship program depends on the incredible support and generosity of our donors in the diaspora and Africa. Their continued support will help increase the number of scholarships every year and enable GCPA-DC to embark on bigger projects that will impact Gambians all over the world. GCPA-DC counts on your support and truly appreciates your contribution to a meaningful cause. Please visit www.gcpadc.org for more information.