A student scored the highest exam grades in The Gambia after being supported by New Life Children’s Centres, a Newark-based charity.

A student from a poverty-hit community scored the highest exam grades in The Gambia after being supported by a Newark-based charity.

Sixteen-year-old Joanna has been sponsored from the age of three through New Life Children’s Centres, which operates two schools in the small West African country.

In her GABECE exams – the equivalent of our GCSEs – she finished top of the whole country and is now going on to the next stage of education – with the help of New Life.

Joanna lives in extreme poverty. She lives with her mum, dad, brother and sister in a one-room house that had barely enough room for the bed.

The determined teen snatched a few hours sleep before studying, perched on the end of the bed by torchlight from midnight onwards, while the rest of the family sleep, before heading to school to continue her studies.

Sylvia Morgan, of New Life Children’s Centres, said: “She has certainly put New Life on the map and has made us all so very proud of her success.

“New Life schools came among the top schools in the country overall in these exams.

“Joanna longs to help her mum and realises that the way out of poverty lies in working hard in her studies and we, along with her, want to see her dreams come true.”

New Life Children’s Centres, based at Newark’s Everyday Champions Centre, runs two schools in The Gambia – Kanifing and Half Dye – and is planning to open a third.

Together, they provide much-needed education for 1,750 youngsters at nursery, primary and junior secondary level, with the aim of breaking the cycle of poverty.

Many of those attending the schools live in the same kind of tough, over-crowded conditions as Joanna, lacking even the most basic of facities.

Joanna’s exam success means she has been accepted to Nusrat Senior School, which has an excellent science department for the student who dreams of becoming an engineer.

At the time of her exam success, the family discovered their landlord was going to evict them. New Life has stepped in to help provide the family with a bigger house – with room for Joanna to study – nearer her school.

Their new home has two bedrooms, a lounge, an inside toilet and veranda.

Sylvia said: “It is an incredible change of circumstances.

“They are in a quiet area surrounded by trees. Perfect!

“They can’t quite believe it.”

New Life relies on community donations, including the sponsorship of children, to keep their schools running.

Joanna was lucky to be sponsored throughout her education and there are always sponsorship opportunities for other children. The charity is run by volunteers so every penny raised goes towards the children’s schooling.

Sponsoring a child costs £15 per month and a teacher £25. As part of the sponsorship, you are sent regular updates on how your child is getting on.

For more information, email sylviamorgan10@gmail.com or go to www.newlifegambia.co.uk

The charity also has a shop in The Arcade, Newark, which is a huge source of funding. Run by volunteers, it is always happy to accept donations.