20 magical years!

It was a simple but warm celebration of the anniversary at the Folkvang Community Center in Geithus on Thursday during the days between Christmas and New Year’s.

Weather and driving conditions prevented many loyal supporters from attending, but those who did come got to experience a school project that, since its inception in 2002, has grown from a handful of children in a dilapidated shed without a roof to 2,000 proud students at six modern schools in 2022.

Anbjørg Juliussen, the founder of Butterfly Friends, was honored—along with loyal contributors—for her efforts, which over two decades have given nearly three thousand children a better life. At the same time, she made it clear that, in this anniversary year, the organization is seeking more sponsors to maintain its offer of free schooling.

“We had decided right from the start that our schools would be free,” Anbjørg states. “That way, girls in this poor country would also have the opportunity to attend school.” If we, too, had charged tuition—as is customary at public schools in The Gambia—most parents would have kept their daughters at home and sent their sons to school.
This also explains why the majority of students at our schools are girls, something I am personally very happy about. I’m sure more and more of us are coming to believe that girls are Africa’s future!

We’ll be back with more coverage of the anniversary, plus interviews with both volunteers and sponsors.

In the meantime, Butterfly Friends wishes everyone a Happy New Year!