History

It all started with two adoptions and a sponsored child

Since 2016, Safi VZW has been committed to the Seidemann Nursery School with a community-oriented approach. It all started with Ivo and Tamara, who adopted Matisse and Aïsha from Kazakhstan in 2009 through the adoption agency “Het Kleine Mirakel”, which also arranged adoptions from Gambia.

At the request of the adoption agency, they decided to take a sponsored child from Gambia, named Safi, into their hearts in 2012. In 2016, a first meeting with Safi followed during a working visit to Gambia, organized by Inge, who visited the country together with the adoption agency.

During this trip Tamara lost her heart to a local school, the Seidemann Nursery School, and returned home with a head full of ideas for the development of this charming school. Her enthusiasm was contagious to her husband Ivo and her colleague Isabelle, and together they founded VZW Safi in 2016.

A cooperation agreement was made with Mr. and Mrs. Jawo of Seidemann Nursery School, with the aim of building bridges and contributing to the Sustainable Development Goals of the UN 2030 agenda. Thanks to enormous drive and infectious enthusiasm, the project became a success.

Since Inge has a strong bond with Gambia through her sponsorship project, she joined us in 2023.

In 2024, the non-profit organisation Safi was further strengthened by the arrival of Marinko & Marie-Paule.
For them, too, it all began with a sponsored child from the Seidemann Nursery School. From that personal involvement, a strong connection grew with the project's work and vision.

Today, as a couple, they are actively involved in promoting the interests of the non-profit organization Safi and continuing to support the school and its children. Their story beautifully illustrates how a single sponsored child can grow into a deep, warm, and lasting commitment.

A special piece of history about the origins of the Seidemann school

The story of the Seidemann Nursery School begins over fifty years ago, with a remarkable and visionary decision by Mr. Jawo. He purchased a plot of land in Brikama and consciously decided to donate half of it to the community.

He attached one clear condition to this donation: the land was never to be used privately, but had to always be at the service of the community — with the aim of building a school there.

That choice formed the foundation of what is now the Seidemann Nursery School: a place where approximately 250 children receive education, care, and opportunities every day. What began as an act of trust and vision for the future has grown into a school deeply rooted in the Brikama community.

Mr. and Mrs. Jawo have contributed to this project with conviction and dedication throughout their lives.

Although they passed away several years ago, their life's work lives on every day—in the classrooms, on the playgrounds, and in the dreams of so many children.

Today, their work is continued with the same passion and sense of responsibility by their son, Mr. Bodejo Jawo, the current director of the school.

With great respect for his parents' vision, he continues their commitment, together with the local community and the non-profit organization Safi, which has been committed to the further development of the school for more than ten years now.

With deep gratitude and sincere respect, we continue to honor Mr. and Mrs. Jawo. Their legacy lives on—not only in the buildings and structures, but especially in the future of every child who learns, grows, and dreams here.