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Gambia and Avon Fire Services in Partnership (GAFSIP) is a Charitable Trust and is the new name for a co-operative venture which has been in existence between Avon Fire and Rescue Service and The Gambia Fire Service since 1991.

2005 was an exciting start for the Trust, with its new objectives now including Education and Health.

In progressing these two new objectives over the past months, Claire Hutchings and Sandra Connolly have obtained, collected and delivered around 16 tonnes of educational books, 150 computers, children’s clothes and school furniture. They have attended endless presentations persuading various schools and groups to support this most worthy venture. All of this work has been done in consultation with the Department of State for Education in The Gambia, who have identified those schools in most need.

The recipients of this year’s shipment were:

Of furniture, books, stationery and blackboards

Wesley Lower Basic School
St Charles Lwanga Lower Basic School
Kembujeh Lower Basic School
Darsilami Lower Basis School North Bank Division

Of Computers

Sukuta Lower Basic
Wesley Lower Basic
Kerewan Upper Basic
Abuko Upper Basic
Banjulunding Upper Basic
Brikamaba Upper Basic
Latrikunda Upper Basic
Gunjur Upper Basic
Charles Jow Memorial
Brikama Upper Basic
Brikama Lower Basic
Tujering Lower Basic
Bottrop Senior Secondary School Science Labs
Muslim Senior Secondary School Science labs
Kaur Senior Secondary School
Nustrat Senior Secondary
Gambia Seniors School
St Augustine’s Senior Secondary School
Reverend J C Faye Memorial School

Other educational materials and sewing machines were given to two identified women’s centres. (In the provinces it is not unusual to fi nd that only 3% of women are educated. These centres provide skills, literacy and women’s health education).

Other non fire related materials have been utilised in the establishment of further clinics on fire stations. These include fridges, furniture and medical equipment.

ACFO Bill Feeley handed over four Water Tenders, a Land Rover Fire Appliance, a Dodge 50 Van and Rescue Boat, together with a quantity of fi re equipment. The 2005 training visit was the grand finale of the last twelve months hard work. The training of over 100 Gambian firefighters consisted of Station Mechanics, Boat Crews, Airfield Crash Crews and Junior Station Officers.

Colin Wood of Bath, through a sponsored car wash and canoeing the length of the Avon, raised funds to refurbish a Zodiac boat and engine and acquired life jackets, helmets and various other rescue aids for their water section.

Ian Havens and his son Mike donated a wide and comprehensive set of tools for the vehicle maintenance section which will be put to good use on the new mobile workshop.

A note of thanks goes to the trainers, who at their own expense gave two weeks intensive training.

Sincere thanks go to:

Chris Millard - Training Co-ordinator
Mary Millard
Tim Bowden - Airbus
Ian Havens
Mike Havens
Matt Jackway - Airbus
Pete Marsh
Lou Tobin
Colin Wood

Sincere appreciation also go to the following:

The Ridings High School, Winterbourne
The Church of Wales Schools and
Education Section
St Michaels C of E Primary School
St Barnabus Primary, Warmley
Hambrook Primary
Emerson’s Green Primary
Meadows Primary
Gary Harris (Yate)
Lex Commercials
South Gloucestershire LEA
Blackfriars Paint, Nailsea
Travis Perkins
Fonthill Primary, Southmead
Chew Magna Primary
Chandag Infants, Keynsham
All personnel at Station 03 Yate for their
tolerance and support throughout the year
Plus many private donations

These donations make a life changing experience to the children of The Gambia. An extremely sobering thought when considering that most of the donated items would have been scrapped or landfilled.

This year there were 25 recipient schools. In real terms, this will give 30,000 children access to books, information technology and other educational benefits.

A typical primary school could have 2000 pupils operating across 2 shifts with class sizes of around 48.

An extremely sobering thought when considering that most of the donated items would have been scrapped or landfilled.