Here you will find some information on the projects and ongoing activities that we are running. The largest of these is the Wellingara Health Clinic, but many smaller projects also make a real difference to the lives of of the people of Wellingara.

The Wellingara Health Clinic

The Health Clinic is a special project that is very important to Meg. As a retired nurse she was able to see the strong need for health care facilities in the community, particularly after one of the women in the adult literacy class died in childbirth. Now, four years after it was originally conceived it is almost complete and a testament to the hard work of the local community and generous donations of our sponsors. The health clinic has grown from an idea to a reality that will make a significant different to the lives of the people of Wellingara.

The land for the health clinic was located and bought near the centre of Wellingara. After planning permission was received, building work commenced in September 2005,and was supported through the ‘buy a block’ campaign. Most of the manual labouring has been done by local volunteers such as building the cess pit, digging the foundations and making the blocks. This project is something that the local community are extremely enthusiastic about and they are doing all they can to help. The clinic consists of an outpatient centre, pharmacy, ante-natal and post-natal care, a labour room and a laboratory. We eventually hope to build a house on site for a doctor so that the clinic can cater for inpatients too.

Now that the building of the clinic is almost complete, we need funds for essential drugs. We have enough beds but need 'small' equipment - dressings, bedpans, urinals, metal bowls, receivers, gallipots etc.

Any contributions are gratefully received. Click here to find out more about donating for the health clinic.

Malaria and Mosquito Nets

Malaria kills 1500 children annually in the Gambia and it indirectly contributes to the death of hundreds more. It may also result in some physical and mental disabilities (sometimes permanent ones) to children under five and the adult population.

Pregnant women and children under five years are the most vulnerable groups affected by malaria. About 85% of total cases reported at health facilities are children under five years, followed by ante-natal patients (about 12%).

Malaria is both treatable and preventable, but taking steps in the latter will greatly save lives and resources. Minimising the spread of malaria involves two main measures
• environmental measures to control mosquito breeding,
• measures to protect against mosquito bites.

The cheapest, safest, environmentally friendliest and most effective way to protect against mosquito bites, and hence malaria is the use of mosquito bed-nets. Many households/ families cannot afford to buy mosquito bed-nets coupled with other household and family needs.

We are currently running a campaign for mosquito nets for the children and their families as malaria is the greatest health threat in the region and responsible for the death of 1 in 5 children under 5 years old. Each double net costs £3.25 and can help protect up to four children. Click here to donate for mosquito nets and help save the lives of the children of Wellingara.

Every donation helps, and any contributions are gratefully received. Click here to donate for mosquito nets.

Adult Literacy Classes

In November 2001, Meg and Marj (a retired adult literacy tutor) met with representatives of three local women’s groups to discuss the introduction of literacy classes. This was received with great enthusiasm and classes began in February 2002 with 98 students! Many of the women attending had never been to school and were unable to even read numbers, let alone letters. The tuition is conducted in three local tribal languages – Mandinka, Wolof and Pulaar (Fula). The classes have been very successful and are an ongoing part of the day-to-day life at the Wellingara School. There is even a lone father attending the classes – brave man! Further training is required to extend the skills of the tutors and therefore the students. Any contributions are gratefully received. Click here to donate for adult literacy classes.

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