Heeno International

Bakary Camara, a teacher at Bundung Lower Basic School, The Gambia, finally got recognition after 40 years and teaching more than 10,000 students, without a promotion. 30 years were at Bundung School. On February 27th, 2020, Mr. Camara's ex-pupils organized a ceremony to honour him at their old school, during which he received gifts of appreciation from them, a certificate from Heeno International for exceptional community service, and news (yet to be confirmed officially) of an unexpected promotion to Senior Master from the Gambia government. Asked what kept him going all these years, Mr. Camara said: "the passion, enjoyment of working with the kids and their phenomenal love, the respect of their parents and my colleagues. I am not teaching for money or position!"

Dr Karamo Sonko, Chairman of Heeno International, was personally invited by Mr. Camara to grace the occasion. He described Mr. Camara as "a committed and selfless community servant with incredible patience!"

One of Mr. Camara's most distinguished students is Mr. Lamin Bojang, Advisor to an Executive Director at the World Bank. He said that his teacher is "one of our finest teachers who has laid the foundation of our lives ... kind, patient and always willing to help his students." Other outstanding students include:

Dr Mustapha Bittaye, Post-Doctoral Researcher and member of the COVID-19 research team at Jenner Institute, Oxford University; Ada Jaiteh Fye, Chief Financial Officer, Global Fund for Africa; Dr Haddy Njie, Assistant Professor of International Relations at North Carolina University, Raleigh; and Tijan Touray, Managing Director, Takaful Insurance Company of the Gambia.