Looking Back at 2020
As we approach the end of the year it is a time for reflection. 2020 has been a year that none of us could ever have anticipated. I believe that in times of great challenge we learn the most. This has definitely been a challenging year for everyone across the globe and it will be talked about for many years. So, what have we learned? In the future, when people ask us what did we do during the Covid-19 pandemic, what will we say?
In some ways the pace of life has slowed down, and of course people are spending more time at home, but in other ways we are busier than ever connecting through technology. If of course we have access to technology, not everyone has.
We have learned that community is everything, it brings people together. We have stopped talking about 'I' and we now talk more about ‘we’ because we have realised that we are all in this together. Even though it is different in different places and for different people, we are all connected and everyone has been affected in some way.
In January we were remembering the devastation and loss of life in Haiti following the earthquake in 2010 as well as celebrating Haiti and the achievements since then with our colleagues at a lecture given by Lord Griffiths of Burry Port, which Billy Jean attended and spoke proudly of Haitian life and some of the challenges faced daily.
In February I represented the Foundation in Havana to talk about sustainable development and education and carry out training for our Positive Periods programme.
I learned how to make the period pads myself so I could train women in Cuba. It’s a simple solution to enable girls to manage their periods with dignity and pride and most importantly attend school every day. I cannot tell you how honoured I felt to learn a new skill and know that I was passing it onto many other women to share. Our Cuban colleagues embraced the programme enthusiastically, and although there have been some delays due to Covid-19, they are now ready to start delivering an ethical, sustainable and environmentally friendly project in Havana.
In March, the U.K and many countries across the globe went into lockdown. In the U.K. life remained relatively straightforward as we stayed home and learned new skills. We are aware that many people’s mental health has been affected as we have been unable to connect with friends and family for periods of time and the after effects are now coming home as people find themselves without work. In some countries lockdown is not possible as they do not have regular access to water and electricity in their homes and they have to shop for food daily.
At the Foundation, we have continued to be open and flexible in our approach to providing access to learning: through the provision of solar radios in The Gambia, on-line storytelling, increasing the reach of the Positive Periods Programme in Sierra Leone, starting work on setting up the learning resource centre in The Gambia and introducing the Life Long Learning Webinar Series. There will be a new series starting in January. You can have a look at the programme here:
We have been heartened at the strength, support and motivation in our communities during this year. You can see some of the highlights in the video above.
A huge thank you to our donors and supporters who without your generosity of time and money, this work would not be possible. Another huge thank you must go to my colleagues and our ambassadors who have adapted to working in very different ways and have been innovative and enthusiastic in achieving our goal of providing Education For all Children Everywhere.
We wish everyone a happy and peaceful holiday season.
Ann and all the Steve Sinnott Foundation team.
The Steve Sinnott Foundation • December 16, 2020
In our continued commitment to ensuring quality and inclusive education for every child, we’ve taken our advocacy to a new level by empowering the next generation to lead the conversation. In partnership with The Gambia Teachers Union, we recently convened the Foundation’s Young Ambassadors for a vibrant day of engagement dedicated to promoting the right to education for all. The event brought together passionate students from selected senior secondary schools across Region One, including St. John’s School for the Deaf, to explore what it truly means to make education inclusive, equitable, and accessible to every learner.
The Steve Sinnott Foundation is proud to celebrate the inspirational winners of the 2025 Seeds of Hope for a Better Future competition, a global initiative supported by UNESCO that brings together creativity, community, and a shared commitment to peace and sustainability. This unique project invited schools across the world from nursery and primary through to secondary and high school to explore the values of peace, cultural understanding, and care for the planet. In the face of climate change, young people were asked to tell their stories through art, performance, and digital creativity, highlighting how small seeds of action can grow into powerful movements for hope. The results have been extraordinary. Schools in France, the UK, Gambia, Haiti, and Kenya have been recognised for their outstanding contributions, with projects ranging from community gardens and sculptures to dance performances and illustrated stories. Each winner has shown how young voices and imagination can nurture peace and sustainability in ways that inspire us all. The full Awards Ceremony can be watched linked here: S eeds of Hope For A Better Future Awards Ceremony 2025 Highlights from the Winners Oak View Primary and Nursery School (UK) created Faces of Feeling, a collection of joyful sculptures already exhibited in a local gallery. Judges praised their work as supporting the wellbeing of others and embodying the idea of children as true “Seeds of Hope.” St Joseph’s Senior Secondary School (Gambia) painted Campaign for a Sustainable Banjul , reflecting real-world climate action in their city. The judges described it as “a most deserving and robust winner.” In France , the Jardin d'Enfants des Nations Unies (United Nations Nursery School) won hearts with Wind of Peace , where 5-6 year olds combined drawings, paintings, and tree planting to champion reforestation. Lyng Hall Secondary School, Coventry (UK) collaborated with Henley Green Primary and the UK Literacy Association to produce The Heart Shaped Hole – an innovative and metaphorical take on Seeds of Hope. Earlsdon Primary School, Coventry (UK) impressed with Primary Plot , a project that included gardening with the visually impaired, reflecting inclusivity and sustainability. A remarkable cross-collaboration between 21 schools across West Yorkshire, Essex, and Tower Hamlets (UK) resulted in Lights, Camera, Score , an ambitious combination of animation, music, and storytelling. CIMA Community School of Hope, Haiti shared Konbit - a video of dance and solidarity, inspiring villages to work together for peace and dignity. Daraja Academy, Kenya presented an ambitious and optimistic project integrating sustainability into everyday school life. Celebrating Creativity and Peace This year’s competition was judged by an impressive panel of artists, writers, and cultural leaders including Sir Antony Gormley, Edmund de Waal, Dame Liz Forgan, Hugh Quarshie, and Rathna Ramanathan. Their collective expertise highlighted the quality and depth of the entries, each of which showed how art can be a powerful tool for global understanding and change. The Seeds of Hope initiative is part of UNESCO UK’s Arts and Culture for Peace programme, first launched in 2022. It has grown from earlier collaborations such as the Coventry Young Ambassadors’ Islands of Peace Japanese Garden , opened in 2021 a living reminder that seeds planted in communities can continue to flourish. Highlights from the ceremony can be found here at this playlist Looking Ahead As Ann Beatty, UNESCO ASPnet UK National Coordinator , shared: “The quality of entries was extraordinary. We are delighted at the response to this amazing initiative in collaboration with our international partners.” And in the words of judge Jannette Cheong : “Young people around the world understand well the value of peace and tolerant relationships between cultures. Their creativity is an inspiration to all of us.” At The Steve Sinnott Foundation, we believe that education is the seed from which hope grows. The Seeds of Hope competition is a shining example of how young people through creativity, compassion, and collaboration are already shaping a more peaceful and sustainable future. You can access the full online awards presentation here: Seeds of Hope For A Better Future Awards Ceremony 2025
The journey to strengthen the well-being and success of learners in The Gambia continues with a renewed commitment to guidance and counselling in schools. By August 14th 2025, we have successfully trained 140 educators across 𝐑𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝟏, 𝟐, 𝟑 & 𝟒 under our Guidance & Counselling Programme. A programme designed to equip educators with the skills to support students’ academic, social, and emotional development. Region 3 Teachers Complete Level 2 Training On Wednesday, 6th August, thirty teachers from Region 3 (North Bank Region) began a three-day Level 2 Guidance and Counselling training at the Christian Council in Kanifing. This programme built on their earlier Level 1 training in Farafenni, with a focus on deepening their capacity to serve as school-based counsellors. The training concluded with a certificate presentation ceremony, recognising the teachers’ commitment and marking an important step in their professional development. These certificates symbolize more than an achievement; they represent each teacher’s readiness to provide psychosocial support, guidance, and mentorship to learners across their schools.
