The Lamin Koto School

The Lamin Koto School in Kuntaur village, Gambia, a charitable project that was funded by donations of past passengers and Variety Cruises. In 2010 our West Africa cruise became a unique opportunity to get involved with local communities when we discovered the need to provide additional education infrastructure to the village of Lamin Koto by the Gambian River.

In 2016 as part of our passion to support the education of The Gambia, Variety Cruises initiated the Kuntaur Film Festival. The Festival was born from a wish to bring the cinema experience to villages in The Gambia with limited or no access to electricity. Focus lies on sharing educational and classical films from all over the globe with local communities, with children at the forefront being the overwhelming majority. An abandoned skill center in Kuntaur with a missing roof provided the ideal first setting for the ultimate outdoors cinema experience. The Festival’s mission as it continues to grow is to connect Global Film Communities within The Gambia, and to provide a platform for emerging talent.

In 2023, as part of the school’s expansion, Variety Cares transformed an abandoned building into “The Rose Museum”, named in honor of its founder, Triantafyllos Venetopoulos — whose first name, meaning “rose” in Greek, reflects his enduring dedication to nurturing education. The museum now serves as both a cultural and educational hub, housing remarkable items donated by the Explorers’ Club, alongside maps, books, compasses, and other learning materials generously contributed by past guests of Variety Cruises. This initiative not only preserves knowledge and exploration artifacts but also inspires young minds to dream beyond their village.

In 2026, the impact of these efforts was highlighted during a special visit by Joe Grabowski, Board Member of the Explorers Club and National Geographic Explorer, who joined our Senegal & Gambia River cruise. Joe experienced Variety Cares’ immersive programs firsthand and engaged with students from the Lamin Koto School, witnessing the tangible benefits of education initiatives supported by Variety Cares. 

One of the most memorable moments of the trip was walking through the classrooms and museum of Lamin Koto School, seeing children actively learning, exploring, and connecting with the world beyond their village. Joe shared his reflections:

"Exploring Senegal and Gambia was an incredible experience, from the history, culture and wildlife to the warm atmosphere onboard. The small-ship setting made it easy to connect with fellow travelers and the amazing crew. I was especially inspired by the visit to the Lamin Koto School and how Variety gives back to the community. It was an unforgettable journey, and I’m grateful to be able to bring these stories back to classrooms in North America."

From a humble four-classroom school to a thriving center of education and culture, Lamin Koto School stands as a testament to what collaboration, community support, and a vision for learning can achieve. With ongoing plans to expand classrooms, improve water supply, and ultimately offer free education to all children in the area, the story of Lamin Koto continues to unfold, inspiring generations to come.