A professional teacher armed with a Master’s degree based in the United Kingdom, has quietly embarked on a special mission of impacting the lives of Special Needs Students in The Gambia.
Genevieve Oupae Senghore, who has walked many a classroom during her storied teaching career in The Gambia, is certainly no stranger in the arena she has chosen to devote her time and resources to.
In 2013, Senghore began a serious lobby of schools in the UK to donate books for onward transmission to The Gambia through her “Sen Dyslexia Trust Gambia” charity. The following institutions, St Therese JSS Kanifing, St Francis Primary School Kunkujang, St Joseph’s SS Banjul and Anne Marie Javouhey, Brusubi have been beneficiaries.
In addition, the organization also sources scholarships for girls from underprivileged backgrounds. The organization currently sponsors students at the University of The Gambia (UTG), the University of Science, Engineering and Technology (USET), and at the hostel in Kunkujang Mariama.
In a brief conversation with Waaw Kertien La, Miss Senghore said she was able to identify the need and importance of a registered charity to continue to advocate for Inclusive Education for learners with SEN with a greater focus on dyslexia. She added: “During my numerous visits to schools, I noticed the lack of reading material in the majority of schools and the lack of understanding of dyslexia, the lack of resources and the support needed for learners with learning difficulties and or differences.”
Genevieve, who taught in the Gambian education system for nearly eight years before proceeding to the United Kingdom for further studies, is a passionate educationist and an advocate for inclusive education in The Gambia.
With a mantra to love, nurture, and educate, there is no doubt, differences will be made in the lives of SEN learners by promoting an inclusive education system, she said, adding: “Let us support one of our own on this very important mission.”
