Update on our activities

We have been busy, honestly. It's the time of year to concentrate on raising funds here and it's the rainy season over there! Rain isn't very good for the village houses and there are always repairs to be done, cement to be bought, corrugated roofs to be repaired.
Last night the ValeRoyal Writers' Group, together with the Dead Good Poets of Liverpool, held a wordfest at the Blue Cap Hotel in Sandiway. Invited poets performed and local poets made good use of the 'open mic' sessions to entertain their audience.
The raffle and the sale of books produced 3000 Gambian Dalasis (£65 in UK money!)
The VRWG book was the Summer 2010 mini-anthology of the group's stories and poems, (shortly to be followed by an Autumn Collection). Mark and Tim and Jenny and Liz worked long hours to publish and print the books ready for the show.
We're still waiting for the arrival of Gift Aid (it's the return of Income Tax on donations made by friends of the charity). To be honest, we're still waiting because I was late applying for it. In the end I had to take me by the scruff of my neck and force me to sit in front of the computer for three hours. Job done. Why was I making such a fuss about it?
Anyway, the Charity is back in funds. Because there is always a need for help by the time you read this most of the funds will have been sent to people in The Gamble. We don't let the money pile up in the bank when it could be working for people who need it.
We sold our little boat too, on Ebay, to raise some money for a particular urgent case. I must admit that we now have a habit of looking at things and wondering how much they would fetch at auction! Last year the scooter went and an out-door classroom arrived in a Gambian Village.
The tandem was sold and several children went to school .... one way of getting rid of the clutter!

Where has all the money gone?

Something of a problem - running out of money while, at the same time, the need for it increases.
GOES can keep promises already made but we're unable at the moment to take on new commitments. It's quite heart-breaking to have to say 'Sorry, we can't help you.' We never make promises we can't keep: it would be so easy to say 'We'll see if we can help next month' but at the moment it just would not be true. We can't be dishonest and deal out false hope.
We are aware of young people who would benefit from futher education; there are clinics urgently in need of funds to purchase antibiotics; schools which would make massive strides forward with just one extra, qualified, teacher; families which would be protected by the gift of a mosquito net - the list is endless.
GOES does not thrive on memories of what has been achieved (though, with the help of friends that achievement is considerable) but on thoughts of what is yet to be accomplished.
Please help if you can. These are desperate times.

Quick update on slow progress!

Title says it all. We've been trying to catch up with our writing - letters of thanks to our supporters and with the books - hopefully the books will raise money which will in turn help us to help more people ...
I really must get on with the Gift Aid claim to HMRC. We rely on this to start the financial year off.
Providing that a person who donates, say £10 is a tax payer we can claim back the tax she/he paid on that money and the total gift becomes £12.50 - it's a real help.
The spare bed, which was clear when we returned (everything you gave us went with us to The Gambia and found a new home) is filling up again with donated goods - medical, educational & clothing.
So, things are happening. It just doesn't seem like it at times! I really must produce another Newsletter too.
Bother! Forgot to mention that the efforts of Jenny & Paul have meant that in addition to this blog we now have a website
www.gambiagoes.org.uk
Good things are happening!

Mariama

Sorry to report that Mariama - Glynn Jones - who has worked for SHINE Africa, the charity that builds and supports nursery schools in The Gambia, has had to be repatriated to the UK following a serious illness. All her friends wil be wishing her well and praying for her speedy recovery.

Welcome!

Ebou and Tom shake hands as we welcome him to the team. Tom wants a T-shirt now!

Our local agent.

Ebou and Tom. Ebou has recently agreed to be our local agent. This will save us a lot of leg work - and worry. We are very pleased to welcome him to our team.

Jones Nursery School, Mandinari

A rare view - only one child in sight. The school, built by SHINE, has been supported by GOES and other charities. The co-operation seems to produce the best results for the children of the village. The new classroom, built by a Dutch couple, blends in perfectly with the original structure.