We built the ‘Escola da boa esperança’, the ‘School of Good Hope’, in 2004 opposite a small village school. The old building was completely destroyed during the civil war at the end of the 1990s, and there has been no teaching in the area since then.
We started with four classes and eighty children. Today, as a middle school, we offer nine grades including a preschool class, lots of sports and fun outside of class, clean water and a free lunch for everyone in our large cafeteria. We have supported many of the students with scholarships until they graduate from high school, and some have already finished their studies. One of the very first students is now part of the teaching team!
Over the years, we have expanded our educational programme to include a library and a computer room. We offer further education courses for our teachers and for teachers from other schools, provide targeted support for the best students and tutoring for those who are struggling.
The school has become a new centre for the region. We also celebrate, play and discuss with adults from the surrounding villages on the spacious grounds and invite partner schools to sports tournaments and festivals. With our own well, we also provide those who do not learn with us with clean water.
The ‘Escola da boa esperança’ – a school for Bissau – is a great success story. Help us to continue this story!
Profile
The school is located on an arterial road about twenty kilometres west of the capital of Guinea-Bissau. Bissau is by far the largest city in the country, with almost a quarter of the total population of two million living here.
The former Portuguese colony of Guinea-Bissau is one of the smallest and poorest countries in Africa. Almost 90 per cent of the population lives on 1 euro per day or less.
Since its independence in 1973, the multi-ethnic country has experienced numerous political and economic crises, and the state of parliamentary democracy is precarious. Two-thirds of the working population are employed in agriculture, with the almost ubiquitous cultivation of cashew nuts being a defining feature.
The country’s education system is in an exceptionally poor state. The illiteracy rate is extremely high, barely two-thirds of school-age children actually attend school, and more than half are affected by child labour. Political and economic upheaval regularly results in lost wages and, as a consequence, long-lasting strikes, which sometimes lead to the cancellation of entire school years at state schools.
This background helps to understand why the ‘School for Bissau’ is needed and what its success is based on: it provides what is missing around it.
site plan
Heads of the whole
Our friend Carlos Robalo, who was born barely a hundred metres from the school, is our manager. He ensures that all our projects are reliably implemented and is the point of contact for any concerns of children, teachers and parents.
João dos Santos has been at his side from the very beginning. João is a handyman, driver, and the children’s favourite – and he always finds a solution.
Carlos Robalo
João dos Santos
Heads of the school
Our proven management trio shares the work in the school day-to-day. They are supported by our teaching staff of over twenty. Some have been with us since the first year.
Fátima Djata
Agustinho Clodé
Ilda Sanca
Marcelino Ramalho
Francisca Cá
Luciano Tamba Danfa
Inacia Nhaga
Helena Francisco Caruco Danfa
Victor Biticte Tchami
Suncar Bala Sonco
Lona Salna Tchami
Revelino Incore Canas
Rita Maria Fernandes
Ricardo Ie
Armando Cam-Nté
Issa Djassi
Ricardo Oliveira Sanca
Juca Delgado
Ramiro Rosa Saba Ndjan
Sumaila Sambu
Meunicio Rodregues Bone
Monica A. Balanta
