- During Chris and Margaret's visit earlier this year, HELPING delivered sacks of rice to every sponsored child's family. The cost of rice at present is £20 per 50kg sack.
- A meeting was held between the Meeks and Gambia's Permanent Secretary of State for Education who expressed his approval and gratitute for the efficient way HELPING's nurseries are being run. He urged HELPING to apply for NGO status which, if granted, would give the charity a duty waiver on items we ship to Gambia, our vehicles would be tax free and we would benefit from vehicle priority on the ferry. Sarjor is working on our application for NGO status.
Sunday 12 May 2013
OTHER NEWS ....
LOGDE UPDATE
As previously reported on the Blog, the ferry service across the River Gambia continues to cause difficulties getting around the country and for HELPING staff trying to visit projects on the North Bank. After several hair-raising crossings earlier this year when the ferry was dangerously overcrowded, broke down, drifted out to sea or simply failed to run, we are looking forward to the completion of our own accommodation block on the North Bank which will make ferry crossings less of an issue.
The Lodge will be a basic accommodation block consisting of five bedrooms able to sleep a total of 15 people in a combination of single and double beds, some rooms having three singles and others having a double and single bed. Each room will have an en-suite bathroom with hot shower, basin with hot and cold running water and western-style flush toilet. There will be disabled access and electricity will be provided by solar panels.
The aim is to have the roof on and the building finished before this summer's rains. A kitchen will be built later and HELPING is buying cookers which are similar to bucket barbecues which can use compressed crushed peanut shells as fuel. This type of fuel is cheap to buy as it uses a waste product from the peanut farming business - currently it costs only 5 dalasi per kilo (approx 10p). It's more environmentally friendly than burning wood as it saves trees being cut down and produces far less smoke than wood fires.
We have already started to receive enquiries from people wanting to stay there this year!
The Lodge will be a basic accommodation block consisting of five bedrooms able to sleep a total of 15 people in a combination of single and double beds, some rooms having three singles and others having a double and single bed. Each room will have an en-suite bathroom with hot shower, basin with hot and cold running water and western-style flush toilet. There will be disabled access and electricity will be provided by solar panels.
The aim is to have the roof on and the building finished before this summer's rains. A kitchen will be built later and HELPING is buying cookers which are similar to bucket barbecues which can use compressed crushed peanut shells as fuel. This type of fuel is cheap to buy as it uses a waste product from the peanut farming business - currently it costs only 5 dalasi per kilo (approx 10p). It's more environmentally friendly than burning wood as it saves trees being cut down and produces far less smoke than wood fires.
We have already started to receive enquiries from people wanting to stay there this year!
SUCCESS STORIES - Omar Corr
Omar Corr is another of HELPING's success stories, although he began life with more advantages than many young Gambians.
Omar's own family were able to send him to school but once he had graduated, he wanted to do an IT course and teacher training, which is where HELPING came in. The charity financed his further education and Omar, now in his mid-20s, is now employed by HELPING to teach IT at Fass Basic Cycle School (which educates students to the equivalent of UK A-level). Omar is also trained in computer maintenance.
Omar's own family were able to send him to school but once he had graduated, he wanted to do an IT course and teacher training, which is where HELPING came in. The charity financed his further education and Omar, now in his mid-20s, is now employed by HELPING to teach IT at Fass Basic Cycle School (which educates students to the equivalent of UK A-level). Omar is also trained in computer maintenance.
WOMEN'S SKILLS CENTRE NOW OPEN!
HELPING is proud to announce that our Women's Skills Centre in Chessay Ma Jaw is now up and running. The building consists of one large work room with store rooms and toilets.
Around 20 women are using the sewing machines there. A popular item is what is known as a 'praying dress' - their best outfit which is saved for prayer time. At present, the women and practising and becoming familiar with the machines - vintage Singer treadle machines which are not dependent on electricity! Once their skills are perfected, they will be making items for sale to bring much needed income to their families.
They are also crocheting, knitting and teaching each other their skills. Their next plan is to begin soap making and to learn tie-dye.
The Centre also acts as an unofficial trading post where the women can swap vegetables they have grown to bring more variety into their family's diets.
Around 20 women are using the sewing machines there. A popular item is what is known as a 'praying dress' - their best outfit which is saved for prayer time. At present, the women and practising and becoming familiar with the machines - vintage Singer treadle machines which are not dependent on electricity! Once their skills are perfected, they will be making items for sale to bring much needed income to their families.
They are also crocheting, knitting and teaching each other their skills. Their next plan is to begin soap making and to learn tie-dye.
The Centre also acts as an unofficial trading post where the women can swap vegetables they have grown to bring more variety into their family's diets.
POSH AFTERNOON TEA - fantastic value - only £5!
The Posh Afternoon Tea
will be held next Saturday, May 18th at the Scout Hut in Broadmeads, Ware.
If you are planning to attend, please book your tickets in advance as it helps us with catering.
The last tea, held in Stanstead Abbotts last May, was a roaring success. The price is an absolute bargain - just £5 for a selection of sandwiches, cakes and, of course, tea! Please support us with this venture, so if you are planning to be in Ware next weekend to do your shopping, set aside an hour and spoil yourself with a lovely traditional Afternoon Tea.
For full
details and to book tickets, please contact
Margaret
Meeks on 01920 871245
Or
email margaretmeeks@tiscali.co.uk
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