{"id":489,"date":"2026-07-02T11:37:50","date_gmt":"2026-07-02T11:37:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sindola.be\/index.php\/our-journey\/"},"modified":"2026-07-02T23:20:51","modified_gmt":"2026-07-02T23:20:51","slug":"our-journey","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/sindola.be\/index.php\/en\/our-journey\/","title":{"rendered":"Our Journey \u2014 Sindola"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<style>\n\/* ============================================================\n   SINDOLA \u2014 brand layer (overrides Avada \/ theme defaults)\n   ============================================================ *\/\n@import url('https:\/\/fonts.googleapis.com\/css2?family=Playfair+Display:ital,wght@0,400;0,600;0,700;1,400&family=Inter:wght@300;400;500;600;700&display=swap');\n\n:root {\n  --si-burgundy: #6B1F2E;\n  --si-burgundy-dark: #4E1622;\n  --si-sand: #E8DFC9;\n  --si-sand-light: #F5EFDF;\n  --si-forest: #2E4A34;\n  --si-charcoal: #2A2A2A;\n  --si-gold: #C9A24A;\n  --si-cream: #FBF8F1;\n}\n\n\/* ---- Hide Avada \/ theme chrome so our custom layout owns the viewport ---- *\/\n#wrapper > #header, .fusion-header-wrapper, .fusion-secondary-header,\n.fusion-page-title-bar, .fusion-footer, .fusion-footer-widget-area,\n.fusion-footer-copyright-area, #side-header, .fusion-sliders,\n.fusion-main-menu, .avada-header, header#masthead,\n.awb-menu, #main-nav { display: none !important; }\n\/* Kill Avada's page-content padding so our sections span full-width *\/\n#main, .fusion-row, .page-template-default #main {\n  max-width: none !important;\n  padding: 0 !important;\n  margin: 0 !important;\n  background: transparent !important;\n}\n#content, .post-content, .entry-content, .post .entry-content,\n.fusion-post-content, .fusion-content-wrapper {\n  max-width: none !important;\n  padding: 0 !important;\n  margin: 0 !important;\n  width: 100% !important;\n}\n.entry-title, .post-title, h1.entry-title { display: none !important; }\nbody.page { padding-top: 0 !important; }\n\n\/* ---- Base typography + resets ---- *\/\nhtml, body {\n  font-family: 'Inter', system-ui, sans-serif !important;\n  color: var(--si-charcoal);\n  background: var(--si-cream) !important;\n  overflow-x: clip;\n  margin: 0 !important;\n  padding: 0 !important;\n  font-size: 17px;\n  line-height: 1.65;\n}\nh1, h2, h3, h4 {\n  font-family: 'Playfair Display', Georgia, serif !important;\n  font-weight: 600;\n  color: var(--si-burgundy);\n  letter-spacing: -0.005em;\n  line-height: 1.15;\n}\nh1 { font-size: clamp(2.4rem, 5.5vw, 4rem); 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darker at bottom where headline + CTAs sit for readability. *\/\n  background: linear-gradient(180deg, rgba(20,15,10,0.08) 0%, rgba(20,15,10,0.28) 45%, rgba(20,15,10,0.62) 100%);\n}\n.si-hero-content { position: relative; z-index: 2; max-width: 820px; }\n.si-hero-eyebrow { color: var(--si-gold); font-size: 0.85rem; font-weight: 600; letter-spacing: 0.2em; text-transform: uppercase; margin-bottom: 20px; }\n.si-hero h1 { color: #FFF; font-size: clamp(2.4rem, 6.5vw, 4.5rem); margin-bottom: 22px; text-shadow: 0 2px 12px rgba(0,0,0,0.3); }\n.si-hero p { font-size: clamp(1.05rem, 1.8vw, 1.3rem); line-height: 1.5; margin: 0 auto 36px; max-width: 640px; }\n.si-hero-ctas { display: flex; gap: 16px; justify-content: center; flex-wrap: wrap; }\n.si-hero-secondary { min-height: 60vh; }\n\n\/* ---- Impact stats ---- *\/\n.si-stats { display: grid; grid-template-columns: repeat(4, 1fr); gap: 32px; margin-top: 48px; }\n.si-stat { text-align: center; padding: 24px 16px; }\n.si-stat-value { display: block; font-family: 'Playfair Display', serif; font-size: clamp(2.6rem, 5vw, 3.8rem); color: var(--si-burgundy); font-weight: 700; margin-bottom: 8px; line-height: 1; }\n.si-section-burgundy .si-stat-value, .si-section-forest .si-stat-value { color: var(--si-gold); }\n.si-stat-label { font-family: 'Inter', sans-serif; font-size: 0.95rem; letter-spacing: 0.03em; color: #555; text-transform: uppercase; font-weight: 500; }\n.si-section-burgundy .si-stat-label, .si-section-forest .si-stat-label { color: rgba(255,255,255,0.85); }\n\n\/* ---- Cards ---- *\/\n.si-cards-3 { display: grid; grid-template-columns: repeat(3, 1fr); gap: 28px; margin-top: 40px; }\n.si-cards-4 { display: grid; grid-template-columns: repeat(4, 1fr); gap: 24px; margin-top: 40px; }\n.si-card { background: #FFF; border-radius: 8px; overflow: hidden; box-shadow: 0 2px 12px rgba(0,0,0,0.05); transition: transform 0.2s, box-shadow 0.2s; text-decoration: none !important; color: inherit; }\n.si-card:hover { transform: translateY(-4px); box-shadow: 0 8px 24px rgba(0,0,0,0.1); }\n.si-card img { width: 100%; aspect-ratio: 4\/3; object-fit: cover; }\n.si-card-body { padding: 24px; }\n.si-card-body h3 { margin-bottom: 8px; }\n.si-card-body p { font-size: 0.95rem; color: #555; margin-bottom: 12px; }\n\n\/* ---- Donation breakdown ---- *\/\n.si-donation-tiers { display: grid; grid-template-columns: repeat(3, 1fr); gap: 24px; margin-top: 40px; }\n.si-donation-tier { background: #FFF; border: 2px solid var(--si-sand); border-radius: 8px; padding: 32px 28px; text-align: center; transition: border 0.2s, transform 0.2s; }\n.si-donation-tier:hover { border-color: var(--si-gold); transform: translateY(-3px); }\n.si-donation-tier-amount { display: block; font-family: 'Playfair Display', serif; font-size: 2.6rem; color: var(--si-burgundy); font-weight: 700; margin-bottom: 8px; }\n.si-donation-tier-label { font-size: 0.85rem; letter-spacing: 0.1em; text-transform: uppercase; color: var(--si-gold); font-weight: 600; margin-bottom: 16px; }\n.si-donation-tier-desc { font-size: 0.95rem; color: #555; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 20px; }\n\n\/* ---- Progress bar ---- *\/\n.si-progress-wrap { max-width: 720px; margin: 32px auto; }\n.si-progress-bar { position: relative; height: 22px; background: var(--si-sand); border-radius: 999px; overflow: hidden; }\n.si-progress-fill { height: 100%; background: linear-gradient(90deg, var(--si-gold), #E0B75E); border-radius: 999px; transition: width 0.5s; }\n.si-progress-labels { display: flex; justify-content: space-between; font-size: 0.9rem; color: #555; margin-top: 10px; font-weight: 500; }\n.si-progress-numbers { display: flex; justify-content: space-between; align-items: baseline; margin-bottom: 8px; }\n.si-progress-raised { font-family: 'Playfair Display', serif; font-size: 1.8rem; color: var(--si-burgundy); font-weight: 700; }\n.si-progress-goal { color: #666; font-size: 1rem; }\n\n\/* ---- Timeline (Our Journey) ---- *\/\n.si-timeline { max-width: 900px; margin: 60px auto 0; position: relative; padding-left: 40px; }\n.si-timeline::before { content: ''; position: absolute; left: 12px; top: 8px; bottom: 8px; width: 2px; background: var(--si-sand); }\n.si-timeline-item { position: relative; padding: 0 0 56px 32px; }\n.si-timeline-item::before {\n  content: '';\n  position: absolute;\n  left: -34px;\n  top: 6px;\n  width: 16px;\n  height: 16px;\n  background: var(--si-burgundy);\n  border-radius: 50%;\n  border: 3px solid var(--si-cream);\n}\n.si-timeline-year { font-family: 'Playfair Display', serif; font-size: 1.6rem; color: var(--si-burgundy); font-weight: 700; margin: 0 0 6px; }\n.si-timeline-title { font-family: 'Playfair Display', serif; font-size: 1.15rem; font-weight: 600; margin: 0 0 10px; color: var(--si-charcoal); }\n.si-timeline-body p { font-size: 0.98rem; color: #444; }\n.si-timeline-photo { margin: 12px 0 8px; border-radius: 8px; overflow: hidden; max-width: 480px; }\n.si-timeline-photo img { width: 100%; height: auto; display: block; }\n.si-timeline-group { margin: 18px 0 26px; }\n.si-timeline-group:last-child { margin-bottom: 0; }\n.si-timeline-caption { font-size: 0.98rem; color: #444; line-height: 1.55; margin: 0; }\n.si-timeline-count { display: inline-block; margin-left: 6px; padding: 2px 8px; background: var(--si-sand); color: var(--si-charcoal); font-family: 'Inter', sans-serif; font-size: 0.75rem; font-weight: 600; border-radius: 999px; letter-spacing: 0.05em; }\n\n\/* ---- Two-column feature ---- *\/\n.si-split { display: grid; grid-template-columns: 1fr 1fr; gap: 60px; align-items: center; }\n.si-split-img { border-radius: 8px; overflow: hidden; aspect-ratio: 4\/3; }\n.si-split-img img { width: 100%; height: 100%; object-fit: cover; }\n\n\/* ---- Testimonials ---- *\/\n.si-testimonials { display: grid; grid-template-columns: 1fr 1fr; gap: 32px; margin-top: 48px; }\n.si-testimonial { background: #FFF; padding: 36px; border-radius: 8px; border-left: 4px solid var(--si-gold); }\n.si-testimonial-quote { font-family: 'Playfair Display', serif; font-style: italic; font-size: 1.15rem; line-height: 1.55; color: var(--si-charcoal); margin-bottom: 20px; }\n.si-testimonial-quote::before { content: '\"'; font-size: 3rem; color: var(--si-gold); line-height: 0; vertical-align: -12px; margin-right: 6px; }\n.si-testimonial-author { font-weight: 600; color: var(--si-burgundy); }\n.si-testimonial-role { font-size: 0.9rem; color: #666; margin-top: 2px; }\n\n\/* ---- News grid ---- *\/\n.si-news-grid { display: grid; grid-template-columns: repeat(3, 1fr); gap: 28px; margin-top: 40px; }\n\n\/* ---- Newsletter ---- *\/\n.si-newsletter { text-align: center; }\n.si-newsletter-form { display: flex; gap: 12px; max-width: 500px; margin: 24px auto 0; }\n.si-newsletter-form input[type=email] { flex: 1; padding: 14px 18px; border: 1px solid rgba(255,255,255,0.4); background: rgba(255,255,255,0.15); color: #FFF; border-radius: 4px; font-size: 1rem; font-family: 'Inter', sans-serif; }\n.si-newsletter-form input[type=email]::placeholder { color: rgba(255,255,255,0.7); }\n\n\/* ---- Contact form ---- *\/\n.si-contact-grid { display: grid; 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Guy and Tin\\'s story, year by year, with photos from the field.');\n  upsertMeta('name','twitter:image','https:\/\/sindola.be\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/sindola-logo.png');\n  upsertLink('canonical','https:\/\/sindola.be\/index.php\/en\/our-journey\/');\n  upsertLink('icon','https:\/\/sindola.be\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/sindola-logo.png');\n  upsertLink('shortcut icon','https:\/\/sindola.be\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/sindola-logo.png');\n  upsertLink('apple-touch-icon','https:\/\/sindola.be\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/sindola-logo.png');\n})();<\/script>\n\n<header class=\"si-header\">\n  <div class=\"si-header-inner\">\n    <a href=\"\/index.php\/en\/\" class=\"si-logo\">Sindola <span>Lower Basic School<\/span><\/a>\n    <nav class=\"si-nav\">\n      <a href=\"\/index.php\/en\/\">Home<\/a>\n      <a href=\"\/index.php\/en\/our-journey\/\">Our Journey<\/a>\n      <a href=\"\/index.php\/en\/the-school\/\">The School<\/a>\n      <a href=\"\/index.php\/en\/impact\/\">Impact<\/a>\n      <a href=\"\/index.php\/en\/get-involved\/\">Get Involved<\/a>\n      <a href=\"\/index.php\/en\/news\/\">News<\/a>\n      <a href=\"\/index.php\/en\/contact\/\">Contact<\/a>\n      <a href=\"\/index.php\/en\/donate\/\" class=\"si-nav-donate\">Donate<\/a>\n      <a href=\"\/\" class=\"si-nav-lang\" aria-label=\"Switch language\">NL<\/a>\n      <button class=\"si-burger\" onclick=\"document.getElementById('si-mobile-menu').classList.add('open')\" aria-label=\"Menu\">\n        <svg width=\"20\" height=\"20\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\" stroke=\"currentColor\" stroke-width=\"2\"><line x1=\"3\" y1=\"6\" x2=\"21\" y2=\"6\"\/><line x1=\"3\" y1=\"12\" x2=\"21\" y2=\"12\"\/><line x1=\"3\" y1=\"18\" x2=\"21\" y2=\"18\"\/><\/svg>\n      <\/button>\n    <\/nav>\n  <\/div>\n<\/header>\n<div id=\"si-mobile-menu\" class=\"si-mobile-menu\">\n  <button class=\"si-mobile-menu-close\" onclick=\"document.getElementById('si-mobile-menu').classList.remove('open')\" aria-label=\"Close\">\u00d7<\/button>\n  <ul>\n    <li><a href=\"\/index.php\/en\/\">Home<\/a><\/li>\n    <li><a href=\"\/index.php\/en\/our-journey\/\">Our Journey<\/a><\/li>\n    <li><a href=\"\/index.php\/en\/the-school\/\">The School<\/a><\/li>\n    <li><a href=\"\/index.php\/en\/impact\/\">Impact<\/a><\/li>\n    <li><a href=\"\/index.php\/en\/get-involved\/\">Get Involved<\/a><\/li>\n    <li><a href=\"\/index.php\/en\/news\/\">News<\/a><\/li>\n    <li><a href=\"\/index.php\/en\/contact\/\">Contact<\/a><\/li>\n    <li><a href=\"\/index.php\/en\/donate\/\">Donate<\/a><\/li>\n    <li><a href=\"\/\">Nederlands<\/a><\/li>\n  <\/ul>\n<\/div>\n\n<main>\n\n<section class=\"si-hero si-hero-secondary\" style=\"background-image:url('https:\/\/sindola.be\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/1-12.jpg');\">\n  <div class=\"si-hero-content\">\n    <div class=\"si-hero-eyebrow\">Our journey<\/div>\n    <h1>It started with Tin.<\/h1>\n    <p>From a winter trip in 2005 to a school for 200 children. Twenty years in four chapters.<\/p>\n  <\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n<section class=\"si-section si-section-cream\">\n  <div class=\"si-container-narrow\" style=\"text-align:center;\">\n    <div class=\"si-eyebrow\">How it began<\/div>\n    <h2>A winter trip. A T-shirt seller. A promise.<\/h2>\n    <p class=\"si-lead\">Guy Borrey \u2014 a plumber from Lille, Belgium \u2014 and his partner Tina were looking for winter sun in 2005. Egypt was out because of the attacks. Israel because of the war. Tina said: why not Gambia? They knew no one there.<\/p>\n    <p class=\"si-lede-italic\" style=\"margin-top: 24px;\">On the beach they met a man selling T-shirts. They didn&#8217;t want a T-shirt, but they wanted to talk. He said: &#8220;I have a school here. And like most schools in Gambia, we don&#8217;t have money.&#8221; They went to visit. They promised to come back.<\/p>\n    <p class=\"si-lead\" style=\"margin-top: 20px;\">Tin died in 2008. Guy could have stopped. He didn&#8217;t. Every classroom built since is dedicated to her.<\/p>\n  <\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n<section class=\"si-section\">\n  <div class=\"si-container-narrow\">\n    <div style=\"text-align:center;\">\n      <div class=\"si-eyebrow\">Timeline<\/div>\n      <h2>Sindola, year by year.<\/h2>\n    <\/div>\n    <div class=\"si-timeline\">\n      \n      <div class=\"si-timeline-item\">\n        <div class=\"si-timeline-year\">2005 \u00b7 <span style=\"font-family:'Playfair Display',serif;font-weight:400;font-size:1.05rem;color:var(--si-charcoal);\">Sindola is founded.<\/span><\/div>\n        <div class=\"si-timeline-body\">\n          \n          <div class=\"si-timeline-group\">\n            <div class=\"si-timeline-photo\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/sindola.be\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/sindola-2005-001.jpg\" alt=\"2005\" loading=\"lazy\" \/><\/div>\n            <p class=\"si-timeline-caption\">A building is first rented \u2014 Sindola is founded (means &#8220;home&#8221; in Mandinka).<\/p>\n          <\/div>\n          <div class=\"si-timeline-group\">\n            <div class=\"si-timeline-photo\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/sindola.be\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/sindola-2005-002-scaled.jpg\" alt=\"2005\" loading=\"lazy\" \/><\/div>\n            <p class=\"si-timeline-caption\">Just got a pencil \u2014 still not quite sure what to do with it.<\/p>\n          <\/div>\n          <div class=\"si-timeline-group\">\n            <div class=\"si-timeline-photo\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/sindola.be\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/sindola-2005-003.jpg\" alt=\"2005\" loading=\"lazy\" \/><\/div>\n            <p class=\"si-timeline-caption\">A bit shy on the first day.<\/p>\n          <\/div>\n          <div class=\"si-timeline-group\">\n            <div class=\"si-timeline-photo\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/sindola.be\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/sindola-2005-004.jpg\" alt=\"2005\" loading=\"lazy\" \/><\/div>\n            <p class=\"si-timeline-caption\">This &#8220;crowd&#8221; (about fifty kids) has to somehow fit in the classroom.<\/p>\n          <\/div>\n          <div class=\"si-timeline-group\">\n            <div class=\"si-timeline-photo\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/sindola.be\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/sindola-2005-004.jpg\" alt=\"2005\" loading=\"lazy\" \/><\/div>\n            <p class=\"si-timeline-caption\">This &#8220;crowd&#8221; (about fifty kids) has to somehow fit in the classroom.<\/p>\n          <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n      <\/div>\n      <div class=\"si-timeline-item\">\n        <div class=\"si-timeline-year\">2006 \u00b7 <span style=\"font-family:'Playfair Display',serif;font-weight:400;font-size:1.05rem;color:var(--si-charcoal);\">Everything scarce \u2014 no board, no notebooks, no money.<\/span><\/div>\n        <div class=\"si-timeline-body\">\n          \n          <div class=\"si-timeline-group\">\n            <div class=\"si-timeline-photo\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/sindola.be\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/sindola-2006-001-scaled.jpg\" alt=\"2006\" loading=\"lazy\" \/><\/div>\n            <p class=\"si-timeline-caption\">Nothing to hang the board on the wall with.<\/p>\n          <\/div>\n          <div class=\"si-timeline-group\">\n            <div class=\"si-timeline-photo\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/sindola.be\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/sindola-2006-002-scaled.jpg\" alt=\"2006\" loading=\"lazy\" \/><\/div>\n            <p class=\"si-timeline-caption\">No place to write.<\/p>\n          <\/div>\n          <div class=\"si-timeline-group\">\n            <div class=\"si-timeline-photo\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/sindola.be\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/sindola-2006-003-scaled.jpg\" alt=\"2006\" loading=\"lazy\" \/><\/div>\n            <p class=\"si-timeline-caption\">No money for notebooks \u2014 everything goes to rent.<\/p>\n          <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n      <\/div>\n      <div class=\"si-timeline-item\">\n        <div class=\"si-timeline-year\">2007 \u00b7 <span style=\"font-family:'Playfair Display',serif;font-weight:400;font-size:1.05rem;color:var(--si-charcoal);\">We bought our own land.<\/span><\/div>\n        <div class=\"si-timeline-body\">\n          \n          <div class=\"si-timeline-group\">\n            <div class=\"si-timeline-photo\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/sindola.be\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/sindola-2007-001.jpg\" alt=\"2007\" loading=\"lazy\" \/><\/div>\n            <p class=\"si-timeline-caption\">Money raised to buy our own land \u2014 the cleanup begins. <span class=\"si-timeline-count\">+10<\/span><\/p>\n          <\/div>\n          <div class=\"si-timeline-group\">\n            <div class=\"si-timeline-photo\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/sindola.be\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/sindola-2007-012.jpg\" alt=\"2007\" loading=\"lazy\" \/><\/div>\n            <p class=\"si-timeline-caption\">A short lunch break to catch our breath.<\/p>\n          <\/div>\n          <div class=\"si-timeline-group\">\n            <div class=\"si-timeline-photo\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/sindola.be\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/sindola-2007-023.jpg\" alt=\"2007\" loading=\"lazy\" \/><\/div>\n            <p class=\"si-timeline-caption\">Building a &#8220;watchman&#8217;s house&#8221; with reed mats. <span class=\"si-timeline-count\">+36<\/span><\/p>\n          <\/div>\n          <div class=\"si-timeline-group\">\n            <div class=\"si-timeline-photo\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/sindola.be\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/sindola-2007-061.jpg\" alt=\"2007\" loading=\"lazy\" \/><\/div>\n            <p class=\"si-timeline-caption\">Working till dark. <span class=\"si-timeline-count\">+8<\/span><\/p>\n          <\/div>\n          <div class=\"si-timeline-group\">\n            <div class=\"si-timeline-photo\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/sindola.be\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/sindola-2007-071.jpg\" alt=\"2007\" loading=\"lazy\" \/><\/div>\n            <p class=\"si-timeline-caption\">Coating the walls with mortar \u2014 then finishing with colourful paint. <span class=\"si-timeline-count\">+8<\/span><\/p>\n          <\/div>\n          <div class=\"si-timeline-group\">\n            <div class=\"si-timeline-photo\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/sindola.be\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/sindola-2007-080.jpg\" alt=\"2007\" loading=\"lazy\" \/><\/div>\n            <p class=\"si-timeline-caption\">Installing a pulley to draw water from our well. <span class=\"si-timeline-count\">+1<\/span><\/p>\n          <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n      <\/div>\n      <div class=\"si-timeline-item\">\n        <div class=\"si-timeline-year\">2008 \u00b7 <span style=\"font-family:'Playfair Display',serif;font-weight:400;font-size:1.05rem;color:var(--si-charcoal);\">Mud blocks, by hand.<\/span><\/div>\n        <div class=\"si-timeline-body\">\n          \n          <div class=\"si-timeline-group\">\n            <div class=\"si-timeline-photo\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/sindola.be\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/sindola-2008-001.jpg\" alt=\"2008\" loading=\"lazy\" \/><\/div>\n            <p class=\"si-timeline-caption\">Preparing the well \u2014 we&#8217;ll need lots of water for our homemade &#8220;mud blocks.&#8221; <span class=\"si-timeline-count\">+10<\/span><\/p>\n          <\/div>\n          <div class=\"si-timeline-group\">\n            <div class=\"si-timeline-photo\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/sindola.be\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/sindola-2008-012.jpg\" alt=\"2008\" loading=\"lazy\" \/><\/div>\n            <p class=\"si-timeline-caption\">Mixing sand, pouring it into moulds. <span class=\"si-timeline-count\">+2<\/span><\/p>\n          <\/div>\n          <div class=\"si-timeline-group\">\n            <div class=\"si-timeline-photo\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/sindola.be\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/sindola-2008-015.jpg\" alt=\"2008\" loading=\"lazy\" \/><\/div>\n            <p class=\"si-timeline-caption\">Left to dry in the sun. <span class=\"si-timeline-count\">+9<\/span><\/p>\n          <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n      <\/div>\n      <div class=\"si-timeline-item\">\n        <div class=\"si-timeline-year\">2010 \u00b7 <span style=\"font-family:'Playfair Display',serif;font-weight:400;font-size:1.05rem;color:var(--si-charcoal);\">The first chairs, the first board.<\/span><\/div>\n        <div class=\"si-timeline-body\">\n          \n          <div class=\"si-timeline-group\">\n            <div class=\"si-timeline-photo\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/sindola.be\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/sindola-2010-001-scaled.jpg\" alt=\"2010\" loading=\"lazy\" \/><\/div>\n            <p class=\"si-timeline-caption\">Now it&#8217;s real \u2014 chairs collected. <span class=\"si-timeline-count\">+5<\/span><\/p>\n          <\/div>\n          <div class=\"si-timeline-group\">\n            <div class=\"si-timeline-photo\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/sindola.be\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/sindola-2010-007-scaled.jpg\" alt=\"2010\" loading=\"lazy\" \/><\/div>\n            <p class=\"si-timeline-caption\">Still no desks, but a board on the wall. <span class=\"si-timeline-count\">+3<\/span><\/p>\n          <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n      <\/div>\n      <div class=\"si-timeline-item\">\n        <div class=\"si-timeline-year\">2013 \u00b7 <span style=\"font-family:'Playfair Display',serif;font-weight:400;font-size:1.05rem;color:var(--si-charcoal);\">It starts to look like a real classroom.<\/span><\/div>\n        <div class=\"si-timeline-body\">\n          \n          <div class=\"si-timeline-group\">\n            <div class=\"si-timeline-photo\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/sindola.be\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/sindola-2013-001-scaled.jpg\" alt=\"2013\" loading=\"lazy\" \/><\/div>\n            <p class=\"si-timeline-caption\">Tables and chairs delivered \u2014 tested straight away. <span class=\"si-timeline-count\">+5<\/span><\/p>\n          <\/div>\n          <div class=\"si-timeline-group\">\n            <div class=\"si-timeline-photo\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/sindola.be\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/sindola-2013-007-scaled.jpg\" alt=\"2013\" loading=\"lazy\" \/><\/div>\n            <p class=\"si-timeline-caption\">Do they fit in the classroom? <span class=\"si-timeline-count\">+4<\/span><\/p>\n          <\/div>\n          <div class=\"si-timeline-group\">\n            <div class=\"si-timeline-photo\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/sindola.be\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/sindola-2013-012-scaled.jpg\" alt=\"2013\" loading=\"lazy\" \/><\/div>\n            <p class=\"si-timeline-caption\">Decorations and &#8220;reminders&#8221; on the wall \u2014 finally starting to look like a real classroom. <span class=\"si-timeline-count\">+8<\/span><\/p>\n          <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n      <\/div>\n      <div class=\"si-timeline-item\">\n        <div class=\"si-timeline-year\">2014 \u00b7 <span style=\"font-family:'Playfair Display',serif;font-weight:400;font-size:1.05rem;color:var(--si-charcoal);\">A vegetable garden and a chicken coop.<\/span><\/div>\n        <div class=\"si-timeline-body\">\n          \n          <div class=\"si-timeline-group\">\n            <div class=\"si-timeline-photo\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/sindola.be\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/sindola-2014-001-scaled.jpg\" alt=\"2014\" loading=\"lazy\" \/><\/div>\n            <p class=\"si-timeline-caption\">Our new project: a vegetable garden. <span class=\"si-timeline-count\">+3<\/span><\/p>\n          <\/div>\n          <div class=\"si-timeline-group\">\n            <div class=\"si-timeline-photo\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/sindola.be\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/sindola-2014-005-scaled.jpg\" alt=\"2014\" loading=\"lazy\" \/><\/div>\n            <p class=\"si-timeline-caption\">Plenty of mangoes. <span class=\"si-timeline-count\">+4<\/span><\/p>\n          <\/div>\n          <div class=\"si-timeline-group\">\n            <div class=\"si-timeline-photo\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/sindola.be\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/sindola-2014-010-scaled.jpg\" alt=\"2014\" loading=\"lazy\" \/><\/div>\n            <p class=\"si-timeline-caption\">And a chicken coop.<\/p>\n          <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n      <\/div>\n      <div class=\"si-timeline-item\">\n        <div class=\"si-timeline-year\">2015 \u00b7 <span style=\"font-family:'Playfair Display',serif;font-weight:400;font-size:1.05rem;color:var(--si-charcoal);\">Time for a new watchman&#8217;s house.<\/span><\/div>\n        <div class=\"si-timeline-body\">\n          \n          <div class=\"si-timeline-group\">\n            <div class=\"si-timeline-photo\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/sindola.be\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/sindola-2015-001-scaled.jpg\" alt=\"2015\" loading=\"lazy\" \/><\/div>\n            <p class=\"si-timeline-caption\">What our &#8220;watchman&#8217;s house&#8221; looks like after ten years \u2014 leaks in the roof, walls giving way.<\/p>\n          <\/div>\n          <div class=\"si-timeline-group\">\n            <div class=\"si-timeline-photo\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/sindola.be\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/sindola-2015-002.jpg\" alt=\"2015\" loading=\"lazy\" \/><\/div>\n            <p class=\"si-timeline-caption\">Time for a new house. <span class=\"si-timeline-count\">+3<\/span><\/p>\n          <\/div>\n          <div class=\"si-timeline-group\">\n            <div class=\"si-timeline-photo\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/sindola.be\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/sindola-2015-006-scaled.jpg\" alt=\"2015\" loading=\"lazy\" \/><\/div>\n            <p class=\"si-timeline-caption\">Two separate bedrooms \u2014 a bit more privacy.<\/p>\n          <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n      <\/div>\n      <div class=\"si-timeline-item\">\n        <div class=\"si-timeline-year\">2016 \u00b7 <span style=\"font-family:'Playfair Display',serif;font-weight:400;font-size:1.05rem;color:var(--si-charcoal);\">Digging the well deeper, concreting the walls.<\/span><\/div>\n        <div class=\"si-timeline-body\">\n          \n          <div class=\"si-timeline-group\">\n            <div class=\"si-timeline-photo\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/sindola.be\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/sindola-2016-001-scaled.jpg\" alt=\"2016\" loading=\"lazy\" \/><\/div>\n            <p class=\"si-timeline-caption\">The well silted up and collapsed from heavy use \u2014 time to dig deeper and concrete the walls.<\/p>\n          <\/div>\n          <div class=\"si-timeline-group\">\n            <div class=\"si-timeline-photo\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/sindola.be\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/sindola-2016-002.jpg\" alt=\"2016\" loading=\"lazy\" \/><\/div>\n            <p class=\"si-timeline-caption\">Everything by hand, bucket by bucket. <span class=\"si-timeline-count\">+4<\/span><\/p>\n          <\/div>\n          <div class=\"si-timeline-group\">\n            <div class=\"si-timeline-photo\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/sindola.be\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/sindola-2016-007-scaled.jpg\" alt=\"2016\" loading=\"lazy\" \/><\/div>\n            <p class=\"si-timeline-caption\">Water again, smooth walls \u2014 hopefully it holds for years. <span class=\"si-timeline-count\">+6<\/span><\/p>\n          <\/div>\n          <div class=\"si-timeline-group\">\n            <div class=\"si-timeline-photo\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/sindola.be\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/sindola-2016-014-scaled.jpg\" alt=\"2016\" loading=\"lazy\" \/><\/div>\n            <p class=\"si-timeline-caption\">Reinstalling the pulley\u2026<\/p>\n          <\/div>\n          <div class=\"si-timeline-group\">\n            <div class=\"si-timeline-photo\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/sindola.be\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/sindola-2016-015-scaled.jpg\" alt=\"2016\" loading=\"lazy\" \/><\/div>\n            <p class=\"si-timeline-caption\">All cleaned up.<\/p>\n          <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n      <\/div>\n      <div class=\"si-timeline-item\">\n        <div class=\"si-timeline-year\">2020 \u00b7 <span style=\"font-family:'Playfair Display',serif;font-weight:400;font-size:1.05rem;color:var(--si-charcoal);\">COVID \u2014 everything stalls, we build where we can.<\/span><\/div>\n        <div class=\"si-timeline-body\">\n          \n          <div class=\"si-timeline-group\">\n            <div class=\"si-timeline-photo\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/sindola.be\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/sindola-2020-001-scaled.jpg\" alt=\"2020\" loading=\"lazy\" \/><\/div>\n            <p class=\"si-timeline-caption\">The concrete floor slab.<\/p>\n          <\/div>\n          <div class=\"si-timeline-group\">\n            <div class=\"si-timeline-photo\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/sindola.be\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/sindola-2020-002-scaled.jpg\" alt=\"2020\" loading=\"lazy\" \/><\/div>\n            <p class=\"si-timeline-caption\">Plastic against damp, weaving the rebar. <span class=\"si-timeline-count\">+1<\/span><\/p>\n          <\/div>\n          <div class=\"si-timeline-group\">\n            <div class=\"si-timeline-photo\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/sindola.be\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/sindola-2020-004-scaled.jpg\" alt=\"2020\" loading=\"lazy\" \/><\/div>\n            <p class=\"si-timeline-caption\">Then concreting. <span class=\"si-timeline-count\">+2<\/span><\/p>\n          <\/div>\n          <div class=\"si-timeline-group\">\n            <div class=\"si-timeline-photo\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/sindola.be\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/sindola-2020-007-scaled.jpg\" alt=\"2020\" loading=\"lazy\" \/><\/div>\n            <p class=\"si-timeline-caption\">And\u2026 making concrete blocks again. <span class=\"si-timeline-count\">+6<\/span><\/p>\n          <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n      <\/div>\n      <div class=\"si-timeline-item\">\n        <div class=\"si-timeline-year\">2021 \u00b7 <span style=\"font-family:'Playfair Display',serif;font-weight:400;font-size:1.05rem;color:var(--si-charcoal);\">Walls going back up.<\/span><\/div>\n        <div class=\"si-timeline-body\">\n          \n          <div class=\"si-timeline-group\">\n            <div class=\"si-timeline-photo\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/sindola.be\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/sindola-2021-001-scaled.jpg\" alt=\"2021\" loading=\"lazy\" \/><\/div>\n            <p class=\"si-timeline-caption\">Finally moving forward again \u2014 walls going up. <span class=\"si-timeline-count\">+3<\/span><\/p>\n          <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n      <\/div>\n      <div class=\"si-timeline-item\">\n        <div class=\"si-timeline-year\">2025 \u00b7 <span style=\"font-family:'Playfair Display',serif;font-weight:400;font-size:1.05rem;color:var(--si-charcoal);\">Three new classrooms under construction.<\/span><\/div>\n        <div class=\"si-timeline-body\">\n          \n          <div class=\"si-timeline-group\">\n            \n            <p class=\"si-timeline-caption\">This time properly \u2014 by the book. <span class=\"si-timeline-count\">+4<\/span><\/p>\n          <\/div>\n          <div class=\"si-timeline-group\">\n            \n            <p class=\"si-timeline-caption\">Making blocks for the umpteenth time \u2014 but no sand blocks now, we use cement. <span class=\"si-timeline-count\">+5<\/span><\/p>\n          <\/div>\n          <div class=\"si-timeline-group\">\n            \n            <p class=\"si-timeline-caption\">Digging the foundation trench \u2014 deep enough that we can add a floor later if needed. <span class=\"si-timeline-count\">+5<\/span><\/p>\n          <\/div>\n          <div class=\"si-timeline-group\">\n            \n            <p class=\"si-timeline-caption\">The right kind of stones delivered.<\/p>\n          <\/div>\n          <div class=\"si-timeline-group\">\n            \n            <p class=\"si-timeline-caption\">Mixing sand and cement, then adding the stones. <span class=\"si-timeline-count\">+5<\/span><\/p>\n          <\/div>\n          <div class=\"si-timeline-group\">\n            \n            <p class=\"si-timeline-caption\">Add water and we have concrete. <span class=\"si-timeline-count\">+1<\/span><\/p>\n          <\/div>\n          <div class=\"si-timeline-group\">\n            \n            <p class=\"si-timeline-caption\">Filling the trench \u2014 placing rebar for the vertical columns at the same time. <span class=\"si-timeline-count\">+4<\/span><\/p>\n          <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n      <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n    <div style=\"text-align:center; margin-top: 48px;\">\n      <a href=\"\/index.php\/en\/news\/\" class=\"si-btn\">Read the full journal<\/a>\n    <\/div>\n  <\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n<section class=\"si-section si-section-burgundy\">\n  <div class=\"si-container-narrow\" style=\"text-align:center;\">\n    <h2 style=\"color:#FFF;\">The next chapter is now.<\/h2>\n    <p style=\"color:rgba(255,255,255,0.9); max-width:600px; margin:0 auto 32px;\">In September 2026 we open three new classrooms. You can be part of it.<\/p>\n    <a href=\"\/index.php\/en\/donate\/\" class=\"si-btn si-btn-gold\">Donate<\/a>\n  <\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n<\/main>\n\n<footer class=\"si-footer\">\n  <div class=\"si-footer-grid\">\n    <div>\n      <a href=\"\/index.php\/en\/\" class=\"si-logo\">Sindola<\/a>\n      <p>Sindola means <em>home<\/em> in Mandinka. It&#8217;s what we&#8217;ve been building in Serekunda since 2005 \u2014 a school and a second home for around 200 children.<\/p>\n      <div class=\"si-footer-social\">\n        <a href=\"mailto:guy.borrey@gmail.com\" aria-label=\"Email\">\n          <svg width=\"18\" height=\"18\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\" stroke=\"currentColor\" stroke-width=\"2\"><path d=\"M4 4h16c1.1 0 2 .9 2 2v12c0 1.1-.9 2-2 2H4c-1.1 0-2-.9-2-2V6c0-1.1.9-2 2-2z\"\/><polyline points=\"22,6 12,13 2,6\"\/><\/svg>\n        <\/a>\n        <a href=\"https:\/\/facebook.com\" aria-label=\"Facebook\" target=\"_blank\">\n          <svg width=\"18\" height=\"18\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\" stroke=\"currentColor\" stroke-width=\"2\"><path d=\"M18 2h-3a5 5 0 0 0-5 5v3H7v4h3v8h4v-8h3l1-4h-4V7a1 1 0 0 1 1-1h3z\"\/><\/svg>\n        <\/a>\n        <a href=\"https:\/\/instagram.com\" aria-label=\"Instagram\" target=\"_blank\">\n          <svg width=\"18\" height=\"18\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\" stroke=\"currentColor\" stroke-width=\"2\"><rect x=\"2\" y=\"2\" width=\"20\" height=\"20\" rx=\"5\"\/><path d=\"M16 11.37A4 4 0 1 1 12.63 8 4 4 0 0 1 16 11.37z\"\/><line x1=\"17.5\" y1=\"6.5\" x2=\"17.51\" y2=\"6.5\"\/><\/svg>\n        <\/a>\n      <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n    <div>\n      <h4>The Project<\/h4>\n      <ul>\n        <li><a href=\"\/index.php\/en\/our-journey\/\">Our Journey<\/a><\/li>\n        <li><a href=\"\/index.php\/en\/the-school\/\">The School<\/a><\/li>\n        <li><a href=\"\/index.php\/en\/impact\/\">Impact<\/a><\/li>\n        <li><a href=\"\/index.php\/en\/news\/\">News<\/a><\/li>\n      <\/ul>\n    <\/div>\n    <div>\n      <h4>Support Us<\/h4>\n      <ul>\n        <li><a href=\"\/index.php\/en\/donate\/\">Donate<\/a><\/li>\n        <li><a href=\"\/index.php\/en\/get-involved\/\">Sponsor a child<\/a><\/li>\n        <li><a href=\"\/index.php\/en\/get-involved\/#volunteer\">Volunteer<\/a><\/li>\n        <li><a href=\"\/index.php\/en\/get-involved\/#corporate\">Corporate<\/a><\/li>\n      <\/ul>\n    <\/div>\n    <div>\n      <h4>Contact<\/h4>\n      <ul>\n        <li><a href=\"mailto:guy.borrey@gmail.com\">guy.borrey@gmail.com<\/a><\/li>\n        <li>Sindola vzw<\/li>\n        <li>Belgium \u00b7 The Gambia<\/li>\n      <\/ul>\n    <\/div>\n  <\/div>\n  <div class=\"si-footer-bottom\">\n    <div>\u00a9 2026 Sindola vzw \u00b7 All rights reserved<\/div>\n  <\/div>\n<\/footer>\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Sindola Lower Basic School Home Our Journey The School Impact  [&#8230;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"parent":515,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-489","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/sindola.be\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/489","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/sindola.be\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/sindola.be\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sindola.be\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sindola.be\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=489"}],"version-history":[{"count":6,"href":"https:\/\/sindola.be\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/489\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":819,"href":"https:\/\/sindola.be\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/489\/revisions\/819"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sindola.be\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/515"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/sindola.be\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=489"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}