News Goole couple's Gambia move
A local couple are appealing for help from members of the public as they prepare to swap Goole for The Gambia in order to improve the lives of that nation's young people.
Howard and Denise Burgess, 56 and 62 years old respectively, have made the brave decision to sell their £115,000 four-bedroom home in Jefferson Street in order to relocate to The Gambia, one of Africa's poorest nations, to construct a school that will ensure the education of some of the nation's poorest children.
Denise, who works for Hull College, first visited the village of Brufut 23 years ago, and became so connected with the place that she vowed to commit herself to improving the learning facilities available to those that live there.
"The Gambia is the smallest African nation, so it gets overlooked a lot," said Denise.
'There are no gold or diamonds there, so there is nothing that anybody wants.
"It has taken a number of years to get to this point because, at the time, my husband was not near retiring age, and I had to study for some qualifications.
"We will be moving out there permanently to help those who wouldn't normally get an education."
The learning centre will be based in Brufut, which is 25km from the capital, Banjul. Students will be taught basic skills, as well as being given IT training and be sent on a business enterprise course at the end of the first year.
The average earning wage in The Gambia is in the region of £20 per month, so it can become expensive when sending children to school. Because of this, many over the age of 14 cannot read or write.
"They have no idea how to even read a paper, so it is pretty sad," said Denise.
The students attending the new school set up by Howard and Denise will be charged, but at only a fraction of the normal rate.
At the moment, only the foundations of the new school have been laid, but Denise told the Goole Times this week that it will be completed when they relocate.
Asked when the couple intend to make their move to The Gambia, Denise said: "I would say yesterday if it was up to me, but it is really down to when we sell our house.
"We have nowhere to live, so we will be needing to take some rented accommodation when we get there," said Denise.
"It will not be posh, it will be very basic, we won't have electricity when we get out there. We will go on an extended holiday out there and look round for somewhere to rent - as long as we have got water, I am not bothered about not having electricity."
The couple have been filling a 40-foot container with everything that could prove useful for the school, but are appealing for help from the public, as donations will still be gratefully received.
Items such as computers, air conditioning or fans are needed, as well as more basic, practical items such as chalk, rubbers and binders.
If you would like to help, contact the Burgesses on 01405 720651, or e-mail phoenixwagoner@fsmail.net.
Pictured above are Howard and Denise Burgess preparing for their move to The Gambia. (10-01-12 GT)
Published on 10th January 2008 in News.
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