PLAYSCHOOL THE GAMBIA

Further updates on all playschool activities coming soonest

When you see 'Playschool' written 'Playskool do not worry. We inter-use the two-just a matter of style. Playschool according to the dictionary refers to a placer where children, especially toddlers go to play as well as learn together. In line with this meaning, playschool is another word for play-group. However, this does not fully represent Playschool The Gambia. Now consider the word 'play' on its own. As a verb, play, singly and simply defined means doing things you enjoy together, or with inanimate objects like toys. Well, looking at the word 'play' in its other function s and connotations it brings to focus several areas of activities out of which 'playschool The Gambia is presently active in Sports/Games, Music, Theatre/Acting and amusement. Because children love these activities they can be brought together. While they are enjoying themselves and while they are being instructed and guided towards developing their individual talents and skills, positive ideologies and behavioural patterns are inculcate into them even while they enjoy the whole fun. We are interested in helping young people lay good foundations for tomorrow; Choose a worthy life pattern, and assist one another. Our intentions ate futuristic. We expect them to grow schooled.

HISTORY OF PLAYSCHOOL IN THE GAMBIA

As a media practitioner, an actor, songwriter and a screen writer. As a media resource person I know how powerful the media is and can be. I'm curious about children, I love them, I know the direction of their focus and I have what they want. I also love people who love children and concerned about their welfare. For a long time I thought about how I could be of help to children. Well, I put the good things I can do together, what I came up with is 'playschool': where I can teach the young people the right attitudes using plays and other exciting activities they enjoy most. Playschool The Gambia was born June 7th 1997, in The Gambia, West Africa.

NOW HOW CAN YOU CONTRIBUTE TO MAKE THE WORLD A BETTER PLACE?

Take a moment; bring your eyes and focus low and lower. Consider these mentally and physiologically shorter, smaller, younger beings around the world. I'm talking about the children of today and tomorrow. Our children are going astray. Some parents are not raising their children, there are so many bad role models. The media have led out children astray. This is obvious, yet we can't close down the media. Instead this creative media body of children will use the same media to guide and guard them the children. This is Playschool The Gambia where children are trained to sing, act plays as well as read, write and calculate. We train children to present their own shows on the TV, Radio and fill up their own magazine 'LOLLIPOP'. Every child has something to offer; even you. So be a member or a patron. Distance is not a problem.

PSG SO FAR IN THE YEAR 2000

So far playschool has been doing children's break fast show for close to two years now on Radio 1 FM at exactly 10:00AM every Saturday morning.
Playschool has also started a regular TV Show on GRTS CTV.
Playschool is presently working on a children's own magazine known as 'LOLLIPOP'. This will cover all that concern young people below 18, both local and international, featuring news and entertainment. Lollipop is a forum for young writers.
Playschool The Gambia also owns a junior football team 0known as PSG United.
Again, in no time from now playschool will be releasing to the public the very first compilation of children's songs in The Gambia. This is a 12 tracker package of playschool songs both in English and Wolof. Some of these songs have only been played on playschool radio and TV shows, and so far parents are asking for copies.
Looking at the number of children who have come, or and called at our centre wishing to be members, and parents who have called wishing to enrol their children, playschool should be counting over 300 children as members by now, but because we want to make sure every member is ready to be a role model we give membership with caution.
A member loses or goes on suspension if their academic performance drops, if they are caught fighting, using profanities or found at unusual places and at unusual times for a young person, or found pregnant or guilty of theft.

Children are trooping to our centre in Kanifing wishing to be members because they wanted to learn to act dramas and sing songs or because they want to mingle with certain class of children, or they too want to be on TV or radio. Well these are some of the attractions. To be members they try to impress us by learning to abide by our rules which of course are for their own good, for instance they begin to study hard to do well at school etc as outlined earlier.

In playschool children also experience leadership responsibilities.
The oldest member of playschool is 16 while the youngest is only 8.
At the moment, playschool The Gambia is run by:

For further information on Plasyschool the Gambia Please contact the coordinator on:

Mr Benson Mbaike
bensonmbaike2000@yahoo.com Tel: (220) 7793505