In 2017, Switched On-Gambia teamed up with Book Aid International to donate brand new books to support schools in the Central River Region of The Gambia. The aim of the collaboration is to enhance the use of Switched On-Gambia’s initiative of providing solar lights and creating effective reading opportunities, particularly through evening classes and book clubs, when solar lights and books come together to improve learning.
Book Aid are the UK’s leading international book donation and library development charity and since forming their initial partnership with Switched On-Gambia, have gone on to expand their support for more public and community libraries across The Gambia.
One of these beneficiaries, St. Therese’s Basic Upper School, welcomed a visit from Her Royal Highness the Duchess of Cornwall in November. During her visit to West Africa as part of a Commonwealth tour, the Duchess opened the school’s library, which has been filled with over 3,000 brand new widely-ranging books chosen specifically to help the school’s pupils discover a love of reading and to support their studies.
Click here to read an interview with the school’s Principal, Mrs Jammeh, to learn about the impact these books have made on the pupils.
