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OUR CHOSEN GAMBIA PROJECT
 


A word about BAKANG VILLAGE WEST AFRICA

Here we'd like to propose something of a different nature: a holiday with a purpose. We'd like you to go to the Gambia to meet the kids of our chosen project. We have cheap flights during the UK winter months and a lovely apartments devlopment. This is were we donate a minimum fee per person from each one who books with us.

  


This is how this story started:

In 2005, on a visit to the village of Bakang on the north bank of the river Gambia, Geoffrey and Julie Henson were asked if we would help the villagers to build a health clinic. This area is undeveloped with no built up roads.

The nearest health facility is a four hour drive away, using the only available transport, a donkey cart. The villagers live in straw roofed mud huts eke out an existence through subsistence farming.

The main killer in The Gambia is malaria, followed by pneumonia, tuberculosis, typhoid, diabetes and meningitis. Fatal snakebites are common and many lives are lost through difficulties in childbirth.

  


Project directors Geoffrey and Julie

 


Geoff and Julie said:

"The villagers assured us that they would do labouring if money could be found to buy the building materials. Having expressed concern about staffing such a unit, we were told that young people from the village would train and then devote their time to the clinic. On this reassurance we said we would do all we could to help them.

In March 2006 we had an audience with the Vice President of the Gambia, herself a former minister of health, who expressed great interest in our work. She introduced us to the Minister of Health, the Chief Nursing Officer and the Minister of Education.

These meetings proved to be of great value and led to a Memorandum of Understanding being drawn up between ourselves and the Gambian government.

In this document it was agreed that, once having built the clinic, we would support it for 5 years, after which the Gambian government would be totally responsible for it.

  

Local transport used as ambulance

We also agreed to train 2 nurses, who would sign a bond, tying them to the clinic for 2 years. This 2 year training has already started in 2007.

On their part, the government has agreed to provide 2 or 3 auxiliary nurses, so that the clinic will be open 24/7. Also this will enable the nurses to go out into the villages to train the women in hygiene, diet and family planing.

The villagers, not hired people from the UK, are building the clininc."

 

    


The village kids
           

 

THE CLINIC PROJECT

Drawings done by a local architect:

   

  

And the locals start building:

 

 

This clinic will serve all the villages in the surrounding area, at least 1,000 inhabitants. Building has started, but more funds are desperately needed.

 

 

The children of the village:
 

  

   

 

WHY THE MONEY IS NEEDED AND HOW IT IS TO BE USED

Estimated cost: £40,000

 

A 7 stage building plan has been drawn up, to aid monitoring and control of the project.

The stages are as follows:

1. Making by hand, 3,600 concrete blocks. £850 sent out to cover cost of materials, transportation, making of moulds etc.

2. Laying concrete foundations. Drainage pipes. Steel bars to strengthen walls, (completed December 2006). Floor area, 450 sq.metres. £3,000 sent.

3. Building walls, exterior and interior, to roof level. More blocks to be made. £2,000 sent January 2007.

4. Erecting the roof beams, trusses and attaching galvanized sheeting.

5. Making and fitting windows and doors, installing plumbing and electrical wiring.

6. Plastering walls, inside and out.

7. Laying all internal floors, tiling floors and walls.

 

         

    

         

On completion of the construction, the furnishings and fittings will be financed.

Local craftsmen will be employed to make as much furniture as possible, giving local employment, the people a sense of ownership and keeping freight costs to a minimum.

It is anticipated that electrical and medical equipment will be sent from the U.K.

A borehole will be sunk to provide clean water. A submersible pump will be required plus a storage tank on a steel tower. Research has been done. Cost £7,000 approx.

Solar panels will be used for electricity. Research, into the size and numbers required, is currently being undertaken. These materials will be bought in the U.K. and shipped out. Estimated cost approximately £17,000.

A generator will have to be bought, as a backup.

Currently, the first 4 stages have been completed and some electrical supplies have been shipped out.

The expensive time starts now!