Summer 2007 news update

Meg and Marj have another trip planned for November this year. We were hoping that the clinic would be able to have it's official opening then, but unfortunately due to circumstances we won't be able to get the furniture supplies out by then. Green Standards ('Waste to Wonder') of Swindon will be providing us with some furniture for the clinic, we are currently looking for sponsorship to cover the cost of shipping it over to the Gambia. If you are interested in donating to help us with this, please click here to donate now. Any help is greatly appreciated.

Thank you

We would like to thank all our many friends - sponsors, individuals, organisations and schools who continue to support us by holding fund raising events, or make regular donations - every single pound counts and we and our friends in Wellingara are most grateful.

Update on the health clinic

The Health Clinic is finally nearing completion, though a little more building is required to house supplies, net-dipping equipment and a washing machine. We have managed to get solar power installed and working which will supply sufficient power for all lights and fans. Mains electricity will still be needed to power a refrigerator in the pharmacy and a washing machine. The health of the people living near the clinic and using the clean water from the borehole has already improved. Donations are still vitally needed towards running costs.

The Christian Childrens' Fund have generously agreed to recruit and pay clinic staff for the first three years that it is in operation. We are still searching for a supply of furniture and equipment such as hospital beds, lockers, trolleys, tables chairs, desks, weighing scales for adults and babies, so please get in touch if you know of a supply of these that might be available. Queen's Hospital, in Burton on Trent have donated hospital beds, an incubator, cot and some examination couches. We are also trying to find medicines, drugs, renewable resources such as dressings and infusions or funds towards the purchase of these items. Thank you to all our generous supporters who have helped us get to this point.

We are now in the final push to finish the work and furnish the health clinic so we can start saving lives in Wellingara. Please click here if you wish to donate funds to the Wellingara Health Clinic.

New borehole providing fresh water

There is a new borehole at the school donated by Anne Bentley in memory of her father Fred Russell. This gives a good and constant supply of fresh water to the school and now the community. A tap is to be placed at the school gate so that local people can also use the clean water. The canteen building, which has been unused since World Food Programme ceased to work in The Gambia, has been rented to the neighbouring Slills Centre and is used to train boys in metalwork and carpentry. The money is paid to the school and the students have already made a considerable amount of furniture for the classrooms.

Generous Donation will save lives

Pingle School, South Derbyshire and Edgehill Junior School, Burton on Trent contributed over £1000 towards the cost of capping an old well in the Angal Futa district of Wellingara, and installing a hand pump. This was necessary after a tragic event when a mother with her baby strapped on her back, fell into the well and both drowned. Their generous donation will prevent this type of disastrous event happening again and also prevent animals falling into the well and contaminating the water.

Open Gate donation will improve sanitary hygiene

The Derbyshire-based charity Open Gate made a second donation of just over £3000 for the provision of a further 20 pit latrines in Wellingara, bringing the total to nearly 50. This has meant improved sanitary hygiene for all these families. Open Gate has also contributed funds for a new well in a village near Wellingara where the women have a garden project. The previous year's crop had failed due to lack of water and so there were no seeds for this year's planting.

Sponsorship Upate

As of June 2007 we now have 117 sponsored children. Due to cost of living rises we have also had to recently update the sponsorship amount to £17.50 per month. If you haven't already done so, please let Meg or Marj know that you have updated your donation. The sponsorship money really makes a difference to the community of Wellingara, please click here if you are interested in sponsoring a child

Adult literacy

The adult literacy classes are still flourishing and have now branched out into the income generating activties of soap-making and tie-dye fabrics. Some of the women are making the bags which Meg and Marj bring back for sale at home.

Mosquito nets

Money has been donated by John Billingham and friends to equip a mosquito net treatment centre at the clinic. Local people can bring their nets on set days, dip them and dry them at minimal cost. Each treatment is effective for up to 6 months and are a proven way to save lives.

A double net costs £3.25 and will protect up to four children against Malaria. Read more about how you can help prevent these children from catching malaria.

Other generous donations

Thanks to Burton Soroptimists who are supporting us for a second year and Gymophobics in Burton on Trent whose members raised £550 for the health clinic.

Should any of our supporters have an imaginative idea for fund-raising we would be glad to hear of it, as we are always seeking new ways to raise much-needed money. Click here to get in touch regarding fundraising

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