WEc Senegal

Established in 1980 in the Casamance region of Senegal. In 1997 it was evacuated due to the political instability in the region and it has now been rebuilt on a new site just 500 metres from the village of Kiniabour, 9 kms from the beach at Popenguine and 75kms from Dakar. The people of the nearby village are of the ethnic group called Serrer Saafi who speak their own language, and can communicate easily in the trade language of Wolof. The population of 2000 is almost 100% Muslim, yet traditional African religious practices are still very much part of the culture and way of life. Evangelism into the village has taken a number of forms including a children's club, a monthly football match and many personal visits. The school has good relationships with the local people. It employs a number of villagers and has overseen the provision of water taps, a small kindergarten, milling machine and school wall.

BCS is an international school for missionary children run by WEC International, but serving other mission organisations too. It is a strategic ministry in West Africa enabling missionary families to continue in their work of evangelism, church planting, discipleship and social action while the children are educated and cared for in a Christian environment. The school is constantly in need of staff who are committed to providing a high level of education and care for the children.

These children are exposed to a number of different cultures and so are referred to as "Third Culture Kids". Their experience of life is often one where they have seen poverty around about them. They may have had to live in isolated or restricted situations, whilst also being exposed to the value systems and culture of their parents. This experience of life can leave them with a wider world view and a greater awareness of the needs of others in the world around them. Often they are more comfortable in a multi-national environment and so their eventual return to their passport country can be difficult and needs to be covered in prayer.

The school broadly follows the English National curriculum, with SATS at the end of years 6 and 9, followed by IGCSE's for pupils at 16. With over 10 different nationalities of student, the curriculum is becoming more international. Teaching is in English, although there is a small German branch too. Children who need extra English get ESL lessons and where possible the school offers lessons in the children's "mother tongue" to help them fit in better when they return home.

The school accepts days students, weekly boarders and full boarders. Staff children live with their parents but most of the students live in one of the 3 international dorms. The children are between 7 and 16 years of age.

Bob and Dee Molton are the co-ordinators at BCS.