We're Matt, Sam and Jack and we have embarked on a cycle trip across the entire length of Japan, a total of 3000km during the brutal winter months. We want to use our journey to fundraise and raise awareness for two schools in West Africa, 'The Brilliant Star' in Mali and 'Starfish International' in The Gambia.

Mali, one of the poorest countries in the world, faces significant challenges due to widespread conflict and limited resources. With a deteriorating national literacy rate of only 31% and a mere 22% among women in 2020 (UNESCO/World Bank data 2022), the need for quality education is more urgent than ever. Unfortunately, the Malian government struggles to provide adequate free schooling, leading to a reliance on independent schools that must adhere to central regulations.

We are fund raising for "The Sabalibogou Brilliant Star II" primary school, in Bamako the capital of Mali. This school is a site of quality education and a beacon of hope managed by the dedicated Malian and Cameroonian leadership team of Mr. and Mrs. Yem. This school is primarily funded through contributions from community and Malian benefactors, small parental fees, and profits from their other, more affluent schools “The Brilliant Star” primary and secondary school.

The Sabalibogou Brilliant Star is situated in one of the poorest parts of Bamako. The school is committed to fostering integration among different ethnic and religious groups (currently a challenge and a cause of conflict in parts of Mali), serving the community, and prioritising girls' education (as they are often not sent to school). Despite their minimal equipment and furnishings, the school has dedicated trained teachers and a supportive community of educators, students, and families. These families make tremendous sacrifices to send their children to school instead of having them work to support the family financially. The subsidised school fees are £10 per month per child, a sum that many families cannot afford. To address this, when funds allow, the school reduces fees, or provides some scholarships to ensure that orphans or the very poor have the opportunity to learn. The premises are also in desperate need of renovation and development, lacking electricity, running water and adequate sanitation facilities.

Another programme we are fundraising for is “Starfish International” in Banjul the capital city of The Gambia (https://starfishinternational.org/). The Gambia also struggles with literacy rate and quality education, particularly for girls (56% female literacy in 2022; UNESCO/World Bank data). Starfish International is mainly managed by a Gambian family who live on site, dedicating their own resources to develop this non-profit organisation advancing education and empowering disadvantaged girls and young women, enabling them to become agents of change and positive contributors to their society. They do this by providing after school classes and skills building for employment, as well as college and university training to girls able and willing. As little as $10 a month covers one schoolgirl’s basic tuition. Boys also can benefit from the classes but without subsidies and need to cover costs. Our funds will contribute to scholarships for girls from poor families.

Both these programmes have stood the test of time through challenges and successes and demonstrate the immense significance and transformative potential that education holds in West Africa, where in the UK it is something that we often take for granted. They are managed by local people with low administrative and management costs and therefore sustainable into the future.

As TEFL teachers we have previous experience of the power education holds in changing lives and this therefore guided us in our decision to fundraise for this cause. We are also committed to a future trip to Gambia to donate our own time and support Starfish International in person.

You can follow our journey on instagram and YouTube:

@[email redacted]terz @jack_mac_in_japan