Our First Visit to Orchard House: What We Saw, What We Did, and Why It Matters
Three weeks ago, three members of the Sadiq Trust board, Dr Kalim Sadiq, Zafir Meran, and Will Hardister, flew from London to Banjul for our first visit to Orchard House. The trip had a clear purpose: to meet the individuals we support, hear their stories first-hand, and help transform the school's classrooms and sensory room by delivering specialist equipment and learning resources for the children. Working alongside us were local community members and school staff who guided us through home visits across Sukuta and the surrounding area, and helped bring Orchard House to life.
”What we experienced over those few days was something none of us will forget.”
Hearing the Stories Behind the Names
During our home visits, we were welcomed into the lives of families facing hardship that is difficult to put into words. One story in particular has stayed with us.
A mother of five, recently widowed, is now the sole provider for her family. Each day she spends twelve hours selling fruit on the street, earning less than £2. Her eldest son, who would traditionally step into the role of provider, is unable to work due to his epilepsy. In his absence, the responsibility of caring for the two youngest children has fallen to his thirteen-year-old sister.
You can read stories like this online. But sitting in someone's home, looking them in the eye, and truly bearing witness to what they carry changes you.
At every home we visited, we brought a small gift to help cover the family's meals for the month. More importantly, we sat with them, listened, and documented their circumstances so we could better understand how to help in a meaningful and lasting way. In the case of the young man with epilepsy, we were able to offer him a role at Orchard House as head of the farm, giving him a path to provide for his family, build skills, and find purpose.
Transforming the School
In between visits, our time was spent setting up the classrooms and sensory room. We arrived with three suitcases packed full of learning resources, and while we were unpacking and arranging, a second team was out sourcing larger supplies from local shops, including whiteboards, chairs, and toys for the sandpit.
The difference between what the school looked like on our first day and our last was remarkable. Watching the students engage with the new materials, exploring, learning, playing, made every hour of preparation worthwhile.
One moment stood out above the rest. The sensory trampoline arrived to an almost unanimous response: pure joy. Every child who jumped on it was smiling. It sounds like a small thing, but in that moment it felt like exactly what Orchard House is meant to be, a place where children with additional needs have access to the specialist equipment and enriching experiences they deserve.
Opening the Doors to the Community
On our final day, we held an open day for community leaders and parents of students. With the school now fully set up, we wanted to share our vision directly with the people who know and love these children best, and to be honest about what we hope to build together.
The difference between what the school looked like on our first day and our last was remarkable. Watching the students engage with the new materials, exploring, learning, playing, made every hour of preparation worthwhile.
One moment stood out above the rest. The sensory trampoline arrived to an almost unanimous response: pure joy. Every child who jumped on it was smiling. It sounds like a small thing, but in that moment it felt like exactly what Orchard House is meant to be, a place where children with additional needs have access to the specialist equipment and enriching experiences they deserve.
What Comes Next
We are back in London now, but the work is far from over. There is much still to do, and we cannot do it without your support.
The children at Orchard House, the widows, the families we sat with in their homes, they are not statistics. They are real people with real struggles, and the difference that even a small contribution makes in their lives is profound. For the price of a meal out, you could provide life-changing support to a child who simply needs the right environment to grow.
If you would like to contribute financially or explore volunteering with the Sadiq Trust, we would love to hear from you.