Without any schooling, these kids are doomed to live in poverty with very little hope for a better life.

Back home in Boston, Ellen and Dennis hatched a plan with caring neighbors to help the Farato kids. They would buy bikes so that kids could ride to school. Money sent from neighbors and friends allowed Biran to buy reconditioned bikes for 37 children. With additional donated money for uniforms and fees, 30 children began school for the first time.

The McGill's visited Farato in April of 2010. They were able to meet with the headmasters, parents and village leaders. Since a new school has been built in the village, the Xavier School, most children do not need bikes to get to school. The primary schools are far away, but for a sturdy African child, the distance is walkable. So Future for Farato has shifted their focus away from buying bikes to providing school fees and uniforms for the children.

Future for Farato now sponsors 99 children from the village. Some children have already advanced to middle school. The headmasters say that our group of children is especially clever and motivated.

Biran Sallah is the Gambian man who is managing our project. He works without pay. He selects the students, pays the fees and keeps in touch with the parents and headmasters.
Biran is now a registered taxi driver and lives with his extended family in the village.
He graduated from secondary and technical school. At graduation, he worked as a laborer for less that 50 cents a day. After attending the Police Academy, he was employed as a security guard at the American Embassy and worked security at a Senegambia hotel. Without his dedication to the children of California 2, this project would be impossible.

All funds go directly to Farato to continue our work.