Autumn / Winter Update 2007

2007 has been a challenging and demanding year for GAFSIP with unprecedented levels of donated goods. We have shipped 15 green goddess fire vehicles and 7 x 40’ high cube containers averaging one every six weeks. The logistics of collecting, sorting and packing these goods was, in itself, a demanding challenge. The main contents have been school furniture, books, medical goods and clothing.
Thank you to Steve Kendrick of Yate Fire Station and Nick Randall’s watch for their support, tolerance and help again this year.

A big thank to our financial supporters, without whose kindness and generosity none of this would have been possible

This year has also been a year of milestones, with over 1000 fire-fighters now employed. This averages an increase of 85 new jobs each year since GAFSIP started.
All the key fire stations now have a clinic and qualified nurse.
By the end of the summer we saw the 50th school assisted with furniture and books.
We are now supporting 5 women’s skills groups with sewing machines and IT training and literacy programmes. We have also been able to give considerable support to The Gambia’s first and only Special needs School whilst continuing to give toys and furniture to an orphanage and nursery groups.

It is humbling to see all of the donated goods in use when you consider that most all would have been destined for scrap and land fill

On a Fire Service front in The Gambia, the president has accepted a Disaster Plan for his country and GFAS has played a major role in this planning. It has been put to the test this summer with major flooding and gale damage throughout the country, particularly in large areas of major population.

The Goddesses played a significant role in pumping and provision of drinking water.
Whilst as we know they are very slow and thirsty for petrol the four wheel drive and pumping capability proved invaluable. Sadly, lives have been lost, with many losing their homes and businesses. Malaria, typhoid and cholera claimed many lives.
The ability of GFAS to intervene has saved lives and property, whilst providing drinking water around the clock for many weeks until the wells cleared of foul water. This alone is a life saver in The Gambia.
There are still vast areas of the country where the provision of the Fire Service does not exist. The Gambian Government is planning the resources to build further fire stations on the North Bank. Meanwhile the Goddesses will be available in some villages for emergency use. Total fire service coverage, as we are used to, is still some way off. Whilst GFAS’s resources are behind us in terms of effectiveness they are nevertheless providing a humanitarian service to the majority of their communities. This did not exist prior to GAFSIP.

Sadly, within the service here, we occasionally get derogatory and cynical views expressed about the work of the trust and the value of what we are trying to achieve. The following series of images clearly demonstrate the differences made to the schools, women’s groups and library.

The value and impact of GAFSIP cannot adequately be expressed in words, as so much there would not exist without GAFSIP. A prime example would be the school furniture:- could we imagine our children sat on a dirt floor all day whilst trying to learn? We take for granted that there will be desks and chairs.

In financial terms, if we only shipped school furniture, it would work out that each school we had helped cost £600 to equip. This equates to around 30 pence per pupil.
However books, clothing, medical, fire and rescue kit are also shipped facilitating the development of the fire service and many other projects.

This represents phenomenal value for money.

The services provided by GFAS are a first for the majority of the population. The value of the services provided across the country this summer cannot be over stated, with many owing their lives and keeping their homes because of GFAS intervention.

This fire occurred in Basse where GFAS contained the fire to one building in a compound; before the station was built just 5 years ago they would have lost everything.

The fire service clinics are treating hundreds of people each month; once again there were no clinics prior to the development of the GFAS.

Susan Weaver, deputy head of St.Michael’s Winterbourne, visits a rural health clinic, which in the main is equipped through GAFSIP There are very few organisations that make such an immediate and real difference to the quality of people’s lives, purely by the donation of redundant goods. These have little or no value here and may indeed even be a financial liability.

These have little or no value here and may indeed even be a financial liability.
The work of GAFSIP is achieved with an average annual expenditure of less than a fire fighter’s salary here in the UK. Surely this is ethical and responsible re-cycling, providing immense value for money. As a trust, the only expenses incurred are for shipping.

As we go to print Chris Millard is leading a team of Fire Service trainers in The Gambia, one of whom is from Devon and Somerset F&RS. There will be a feature on their visit in the next update.

Glyn Duck Memorial Award

Glyn, a former trustee and Fire Authority Member, who was dedicated to the cause of Gafsip, sadly passed away last year and his widow, Marion, together with Roger Bakurin presented Chris and Mary Millard with this award at Avon Fire and Rescue Service’s award ceremony.
Chris and Mary have made an outstanding contribution to GAFSIP and The Gambia since 1992. Chris coordinates training and Mary collects medical supplies from the Weston area. They, totally at their own expense, have been visiting The Gambia since the mid nineties for training. Every Gambian Officer visiting the UK have enjoyed Chris and Mary’s hospitality and under their ever supportive eye have been cared for, ensuring their basic needs. In financial terms their dedication and commitment to The Gambia has cost them in excess of £20000. An outstanding contribution with the award being well deserved.
Sandra Connolly and Colin Wood were also nominated, both of whom have made significant contributions.
The decision making was a challenge for the Trustees. The amazing support and commitment of so many people who make the project possible made it very difficult to single out individuals. We have many contributors who are not connected in any way to the Fire Service but have seen the effect in The Gambia and in the last twelve months alone have donated around £25000. They wish to remain anonymous. They support our work because of the voluntary work by all involved, and the direct effect of their contributions supporting The Gambia.
The trustees and The Gambia are humbled and appreciative of all who make GAFSIP such a unique and worthwhile charity. Thank you, each and everyone of you.

Sanford school visit to Albion Lower Basic in Banjul.

Louisa Munton, head teacher and Vicki Harrison, teacher from Sandford Primary School in North Somerset returned from a 2 week teaching visit. This is the third school partnership visit this year. Both commented that it was an amazing visit and they have made many friends. It is hoped to develop this educational link for the benefit of all pupils attending Sandford. GAFSIP have been involved with the school for over a year and they have raised the magnificent sum of £1000 to date.
Both had the opportunity to teach in The Gambia. They learned to appreciate the different lifestyle and the importance of educating our children to understand their culture and the real issues that effect both children and adults alike in a developing country.
No-one could ever have predicted the profound impact that this link has had and will continue to have on all involved.
It is hoped that their Gambian colleagues will visit Sandford next year.

Her Excellency Elizabeth Harding, The Gambia High Commissioner and Roger Bakurin Chief Fire Officer of The Gambia wish Bon-voyage to our intrepid travellers at AFRS on Thursday 6th. December.

Arian Mantle and Pete Marsh are preparing to drive to The Gambia in an Ambulance donated by Wessex Ambulance Service leaving on 28th. December.

We wish them a safe journey.
Maybe they will see in the New Year in Morocco, possibly celebrating with
camel curry!

The second ambulance donated is being driven down by Carl Powell and his mum Lynn, raising funds for GAFSIP

Please consider sponsoring their challenge at http://www.justgiving.com/dontpanic

Sincere thanks and appreciation must go to our sponsors, as without their unconditional support and confidence, GAFSIP would not exist. They should be proud of what they have achieved in Africa’s smallest country.

Wishing all supporters a Happy Christmas and New Year

With heartfelt thanks from the people of The Gambia

Sad news from The Gambia.

Fire fighter Jarika Kinteh aged 30 was one of approximately 20 people who died whilst running away from The Gambia. These people drowned whilst attempting to get to Europe by sea. Sadly his colleagues recovered his body and rescued around twenty other people, another of whom was a fire fighter.
It is so sad and tragic that so many people die each year in an attempt to escape the poverty trap. We know for certain that these two men with families were employed in a job with reasonable pay, yet their desire to improve their families and their own lives required them to risk everything in a dug out canoe.
Whilst we may think we understand cultures and lifestyles and may criticise, how can we possibly comprehend such desperate and drastic actions. Several thousand West Africans loose their lives each year attempting this route.

Our Heartfelt thoughts go to both these fire fighters’ families who have now lost everything. There are no state benefits or widows pensions—nothing at all.

Here are some regular questions answered.

Do the goods get to the intended destinations?

Yes. We have evidence of where everything goes and we are aware of damaged goods in loading or transit. On limited occasions goods are stolen either here, on board ship or in The Gambia. These incidents are rare and we have learned from experience those goods at risk, so they are containerised.

Are the donations valued?

Once again an emphatic yes, but as with any group or organisation there is always incidents of neglect.

Is GAFSIP taken for granted?

Not so much taken for granted but used to us being there. After all, we have been around for 16 years. All of us to some degree take many things around us for granted, such as our jobs, home and services we receive here in the UK.

Haven’t we done enough?

There is such a vast difference between our economies and natural resources that comparison is not possible. AF&RS area has a third less population than The Gambia and we only send a minute quantity of redundant goods, mainly from South Gloucestershire area. If you consider what is dumped in terms of medical dated goods and school furniture across the former Avon Area we would be sending a number of containers a week. The national gross product of the Gambia would not equate anywhere near to even the smallest of our unitary authorities’ budgets.

Will GFAS ever be the same as AF&RS?

Quite simply, No. This is because Avon and the British Fire Service have developed over many years and is resourced locally and nationally. Avon Fire Authority’s vision to donate redundant vehicles provides the GFAS with their basic resource.
The most difficult thing for us to comprehend is that, for a lot of the time, there is quite simply no money. This applies to The Government itself as well as individuals. The living from hand to mouth existence is real for the whole country.
 An example is that the hospital may not have appropriate pain relief and consequently even the most severely injured would have to bear the pain. Therefore the donation of dated medical goods has immense value. Likewise, The Gambia’s vehicles and equipment may not be to the same standard as here but they are able to provide a basic service which is better than having nothing.