RELAXING by the pool in a sun-kissed Gambian resort, a Sharpness couple struck up a conversation with a pair of fellow Brits. This chat was to lead to the Sharpness villagers, John and Christine Carter, becoming involved in an ambitious project to create a new school. Gazette feature writer Kirsty Ramsden met Mr and Mrs Carter to find out more.

AFTER 12 years of holidaying in the African nation of the Gambia, John and Christine Carter jumped at the opportunity to give something back to the community.

When they met Trevor and Eve Peek and learned about their project to create a school in the country, they were eager to help.

The Peeks live in the Gambia for nine to 10 months of the year.

"They love the place and wanted to give something back," said Mr Carter. Mr and Mrs Carter, who run Dursley printing firm J & C Carter, visited the site and decided they wanted to become involved.

On their return to the UK, they approached Dursley Lions Club which gave £1,000 and Berkeley Hunt Agricultural Society, organiser of Berkeley Show, gave £500.

A businessman friend gave £1,100 and the couple received donations from various others.

"Lots of people gave us pens and pencils and all sorts of schools equipment," said Mr Carter.

Schools gave exercise books and Mr Carter parcelled up items to send to the Gambia.

Tallinding Central Nursery School finally opened to children in October, 2004. Mr and Mrs Carter returned to the Gambia for the opening ceremony. "It was a fantastic day," said Mr Carter.

The couple were surprised and touched to discover a classroom had been named after each of them.

However, Mr Carter explained, the school was built to cater for 160 children but 500 turned up on registration day.

Undeterred, and eager not to turn youngsters away for long, the Peeks and the Carters have embarked on a scheme to build a further four classrooms onto the school.

The classrooms will be built to create a central courtyard thus making a safe place for children to play.

Building the extension is due to start next month (march) and should be finished late autumn.

As well as the four classrooms, the extension is to include a centre where older youngsters who have had little schooling can learn skills.

The skills, such as dress-making, cookery and computer keyboard skills, should enable them to earn a living, said Mr Carter.

He added 16 and 17-year- olds will be working on the extension to learn the basics of the building trade.

The initial scheme cost £5,000 and the extension is likely to cost the same again, explained Mr Carter. A further £3,500 has yet to be raised.

The school employs three teachers and a head. Mr Carter said it cost £70 a month to pay a head and two teachers.

The couples have undertaken to raise enough to pay for the teachers for the first two years.

The site used for the school had been tribal land and was donated by the tribes. The project would have been more costly if they had to pay for the land.

Those who worked on the project gave their labour freely, again keeping costs down, explained Mr Carter.

They hope the school will become self-funding in about two years as children will be paying a small amount - about £4 a term - to attend.

"But any child who can't afford it will not be turned away," said Mr Carter. He explained Tallinding residents were not starving.

"They have not got food problems but they lack a lot of basics," he said. The school, for three to seven-year-olds, will teach youngsters the basics of reading and writing.

"Education will make a difference," said Mr Carter.

"The kids will grow up knowing about AIDS and famine and starvation."

However the Peeks and the Carters work continues as they endeavour to raise the remaining £3,500 to build the school extension.

Mr Carter said he liked knowing everything he was giving went directly to the cause without money being spent on administration.

Indeed, the two couples have just presented the headteacher with a laptop computer.

Although they are not running a charity - "it's just what us four are doing" - Mr Carter has become involved in the charity Friends of the Gambia.

This charity has also built a school and is now building a clinic.

When the school becomes self-funding in 2007, the Carters intend to become more involved with Friends of the Gambia.

Meanwhile if you can help Tallinding Central Nursery School, call 0776 245 8397.