Today we’d like to introduce you to Ellen McGill.
Ellen, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
Our charity began 10 years ago when we visited a village in the Gambia, West Africa. Aside from appalling poverty we were shocked to realize that those beautiful children were not attending school. Their families couldn’t afford $50. per year per child.
I knew that my friends and neighbors would certainly be happy to support a child’s education. This is true.
Since then, we have been supporting all the educational needs of 100 children per year.
We built a small library which is the heartbeat of the village. It is always full. There are preschoolers watching educational videos while the big kids are in school. After school, older students use the library to study because we have lights and their homes have no electricity.
Last year we opened a mini clinic for the immediate needs of the residents. A local nurse handles first aid and distribute pain meds as needed.
When we arrived in Farato, Musa Kolley knew no English and was completely uneducated at age 12. In 5 years, he completed high school at the top of his class. At age 17, Musa was admitted to the University of the Gambia. Most students try to earn admittance for years. In 2019, Musa will graduate with a BS in business.
Has it been a smooth road?
Fundraising is the major challenge. Our students would drop out of school without our funds, so every year, we must raise a significant amount of money. There are family emergencies among our families and the charity must decide where and when to step in to help.
We’d love to hear more about your business.
We are proud of the progress of our children in school. Fortunately, we’ve found local African organizations who are willing to come to the village to talk about social and security issues.
Our mothers use small loans from the charity to start small businesses to help with household income. I believe that Farato residents have a better quality of life than those who surround the village.
Is our city a good place to do what you do?
Future for Farato has benefitted from a generous and caring community. Many neighbors have joined us in our annual visit to the Gambia.
Contact Info:
- Address: Ellen McGill
- Website: www.futureforfarato.com
- Phone: 617 921 8185
- Email: ellenmcgill@comcast.net
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/113612778669054/?ref=bookmarks
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