Press Release
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Time For Action Is Now!
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On August 14th 2009 in Atlanta, Georgia, the new Saints Alumni/Gough Foundation was officially inaugurated in a beautiful ceremony that was graced by the Patriarch of the school himself, Fr Joseph A Gough who flew in from Ireland to be part of this historic occasion as was reported in online Gambian media outlets in the Diaspora.
 
Since August 14th the Executive has been at work and we can report to all Alumni that we are gaining grounds and have already implemented some policies that were put in place at the inaugural. The executive has met via conference call and intends to do so the last week of every month.

 
  The Alumni/Gough Foundation is a fully registered Non-Profit organization with the US Internal Revenue Service and the Florida Division of Corporation where the Foundation has its Headquarters. Three bank accounts have been opened, two in New York and one in Miami details of which will be communicated to every registered Alumni in the near future. We have also engaged the Principal of St Augustine's High School, Mr. Martin Gomez and have requested that he sends the organization an inventory for books needed for the school library, a project initiated by an Executive member, Dr Lamin Conteh. Mr. Louis Thorpe, an Assistant Soccer Coach in Tennessee has already delivered two boxes of soccer uniforms to the Chairman of the Saints Alumni /Gough Foundation Inc. Regional representatives have been appointed in four States and as this Press Release is being put together seventy two past students have already registered. There is movement and progress and we need all Alumni to join in.
 
On the flip side of the coin, we received some nerve wrecking pictures from Banjul that were taken today September 9th, 2009 by a member of the Executive who transited through Banjul this weekend.   

Some of the pictures are published along with this Press release to show every Alumnus the reality on the ground and also for all of us to take note that the challenge ahead is not an easy one. Our School is in a disgraceful state to say the least and seeing these pictures really confirms that we have our work cut out for us. Therefore Alumni, the task at hand is more urgent today than it was on August 14th and paraphrasing from our great school song, RECTA SAPERE, it is time to "pledge our loyalty to St Augustine's High School."

The Administrative Bldg. rusty and in ruines, resembles a sty

The school bus sits idle as weeds and trees grow from its trunk

The Saints Alumni/Gough Foundation Inc. wishes to call on every ex-student to join us in this endeavor, "OPERATION RESTORE OUR ALMA MATER" If you are not registered, please send us an email at wakerrlabbeh@yahoo.com; www.goughfoundation.gm

Ousman E. Manjang
Chairman
Saints Alumni/Gough Foundation INC
USA