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In November/December 2008 Rita, Maurice and Pat visited The Gambia for a few weeks. Accompanied by Arthur and Ellen (SHHG-The Netherlands), Ousman (board member of the FHAG, our NGO in The Gambia) and Manon we set off in the two vehicles which partook in the Amsterdam-Dakar Challenge to Basse.
The Ford transit which Arthur and Ellen drove more than 7,000 km from Amsterdam to Banjul is to be used by the NGO. Manon’s Ford transit is to become the ambulance of the Saint Vitus Health Centre in Bakadaji.
Although we arrived at 6 am at the terminal to take the ferry from Banjul to Barra, there was no guarantee that we would be able to board the 7 o’clock boat. Thanks to a ‘letter of priority’ and a few telephone calls we were able to make the first departure. To reach Basse we have to travel on the northern bank of the river. The road on the south bank in such a dilapidated state that the journey of 350 km would take several days! In Georgetown to cross the river we have to take two ferries. Why vehicles with a foreign registration have to pay in CFA or Euros (the paperwork to register the vehicles in The Gambia took some time) is not at all comprehensible. But there you are.
Teachers and children are awaiting our arrival at Bakadaji Lower Basic School and chant “welcome, welcome, welcome”. It is truly heartwarming. Representatives of the Village Council and some parents are also present. As usual there are lots of speeches, music, singing and dancing.
It is quite apparent that the children urgently require new school uniforms. Some children are also in dire need of footwear.
The Saint Vitus Health Clinic is completed and ready for use. The NGO has recruited a health nurse who will start work in February. In the presence of the District Governor a formal ceremony is held to hand over the ambulance to the Health Centre. A few days later the ambulance is put to use for the first time.
The project to establish a vegetable garden, run by the women of Kanubeh village, has been sponsored by Bussum, a small town in The Netherlands.
When we visited the project, part of the area had already been cleared of growth. The women are very enthusiastic about this project. Kanubeh is one of the poorest communities we have encountered in The Gambia. The clothes of most children are torn; they only seem to have one outfit. Quite a number of children do not wear shoes or flip flops.
The welcome chanting of the children of Nafugan Lower Basic School greets us as we arrive. Again it is clear that a lot of work needs to be done. During a storm part of the roof of the teachers’ living accommodation came down. It was not repaired immediately and because of an unusually long rainy season, the walls are now crumbling rendering only half of the accommodation fit for habitation. SHHG-NL will ensure that speedy repairs are carried out.
Now the project in Kanubeh has been sponsored, SHHG-Belgium wanted to identify another project. Suggestions are a sewing circle so that the women could repair or make new school uniforms or a vegetable garden within the school grounds. After a long debate Momodou established that the women prefer a vegetable garden in their village. And so SHHG-Belgium agrees to sponsor this project.
For this we need to raise the necessary funds … and here we need your financial help.
Every small contribution helps. You can make a donation to the following account: SHHG (Stichting Humanitaire Hulp Gambia-Belgium)
Axa bank: 751-2037600-58
BIC: AXABBE22
IBAN: BE95751203760058
Pat, Maurice and Fernand A few words of explanation: who is who / what is what Arthur Aalst
Chairman of SHHG in The Netherlands. Chairman of the NGO in The Gambia. In 2007 and 2008 (team King Arthur en de African Mamas) drove a vehicle over 7000 km from Amsterdam to Banjul (as part of the Amsterdam-Dakar Challenge).
Ellen Verlaan
Board member of SHHG-NL. Wife of Arthur.
Manon Meininger
Participant of the Amsterdam-Dakar Challenge with friend Connie. Their vehicle became the ambulance for the Saint Vitus Health Centre in Bakadaji.
Momodou S Kamara
Former director of the Bakadaji School (we first met him in that capacity during our trip in 2006). After obtaining a master degree (studies sponsored by SHHG-NL) he is now an Inspector of Schools in the Basse district. Vice-Chairman of the FHAG, the NGO in The Gambia. Lives with his family in Basse.
Ousman Ceesay
Hon Secretary of the FHAG. Works at the Ministry of Education in Banjul.
SHHG
Stichting Humanitaire Hulp Gambia in The Netherlands and Belgium.
FHAG
Foundation Humanitarian Aid Gambia , official NGO recognised by the Gambian Government.
NGO
Non-Governmental Organisation
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