SPRING/SUMMER UPDATE 2007

The delay in producing an update has been due to the activities since the completion of the challenge with Sean, Simon and Jerry.

Containers Despatched.

We have loaded two 40’ containers, in the last 2 months, with educational books, school furniture, teaching aids and a large quantity of medical support goods. Also enough bedding and blankets to re-equip a hospital which was in desperate need, thanks to Red Cross International and our local hospitals.
A large quantity of manual sewing machines have bee donated which will enable a further 3 women’s centres to be established. The women’s groups allow a degree of self sufficiency and independence and an opportunity for them to develop other skills such as literacy.

Aztec Rotary have achieved their target of £25,000 and purchased 10 rescue boats complete. The boats were delivered direct to The Gambia and we have sent the engines and safety kit. A fantastic achievement by Aztec Rotary , a big thank you from The People of The Gambia.
These boats will eventually provide a service to areas of the country that have had no rescue capability in the past, yet year on year the river claims many lives.
Further training on boat handling and maintenance is planned for November this year.

Our Thanks to all volunteers and Ashfield Young Offenders Institute who have worked so hard in loading and shipment preparation. It is always a challenge to load within the three hours allocated, we have always just managed it to date.
The Gambia Takes On a Piece of British Fire History

The Department for Communities and Local Government have donated the last 15 Green Goddesses to GAFSIP for use in The Gambia.

HISTORY IS MADE

The very last two Green Goddess’s being unloaded at Yate Fire Station.
The DLCG have donated these two appliances to GAFSIP for fund raising and eventually we hope to drive them to The Gambia.
Both were built in 1956 and have covered 3,000 miles each in their life.

The Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott authorised the donation on becoming aware of our work.

These appliances will not provide front line cover but will fulfil a desperate need on the north bank in the provision of water for fire fighting and humanitarian aid where, for much of the year, it would not be unusual for people to walk up to 20 miles for drinking water. Also, during the rains these vehicles will be better able to cope with road conditions. During the rains many wells become contaminated by the mixing foul and fresh water due to flooding.

The Gambia Fire and Ambulance Service’s response was” We without doubt welcome the donation of 15 4X4 Green Goddesses. They will be great in boosting our water supplies in areas like The North Bank region where we do not have the infrastructure. They will be of immense value in emergency planning and disaster response e.g. the ferrying of water.
You can imagine how helpful they would be in Kanilai, Soma and Bansang during the rains when roads are simply impassable for ordinary vehicles. We visualise them backing up our front line fleet.”

The Gambia’s Government wrote, “On behalf of The Government of the Republic of The Gambia, I wish to seize the opportunity to express deep appreciation to Her Majesty’s Government for this magnanimous gesture and support towards GAFSIP’s many years assistance to The Gambia Fire and Ambulance Service.

FUND RAISING

Winterbourne Down May Day carnival was another success for us this year, despite the atrocious weather, raising over £300 and St Michael’s School also raised £80 for GAFSIP.
Winterbourne Down Methodist and Severn Counties Bird Society made significant donations in March
St Michael’s Church in Winterbourne continue to aid GAFSIP
Gary Harris of Yate held a sponsored dive with members of his diving club at Winterbourne swimming pool, a great success with another being held later in the year by popular demand.

Paul’s Place

A charity based day-care centre run to enable and assist people with physical disabilities to excel and socialise.
Volunteers encourage and facilitate all manner of activities including days out and holidays
The group are supporting GAFSIP

GAFSIP win an award with SerCo at Airbus

Sponsored by The Department of Trade and Industry we have achieved a Big Tick for work in the community both locally and globally, and we were one of six organisations in The UK to go forward to a national final.
We jointly made a verbal submission to the judging panel in London on 23rd of May; the panel was Bob Watson, Head of HR BUPA Susan Donavan Director of Communications Jon Lewis Partnership, Mike Horah, Head of Social Marketing Department of Health and Cathy McBain of volunteering England. The results will be announced on the 2nd July by HRH the Prince of Wales and Al Gore. Vice President of America.
Judging is based on the significance of the impact and benefits of the charity on both society and business together.
They are looking for inspirational innovative projects that benefit both recipient and volunteers. We wait with baited breath, although we jointly consider it a tremendous success to date when considering we were competing with multinational companies and institutions.

GAFSIP have also received recognition from South Gloucestershire Council in their Chairs Community Award
Quite exceptionally from The Rotary Foundation of Rotary International we received The Paul Harris Fellowship for tangible and significant assistance given for the better understanding and friendly relations among peoples of the world.
This is a unique award for a non Rotarian organisation.

THANKS TO OUR SUPPORTERS

This provides the opportunity to express sincere thanks and appreciation to volunteers in training, fund raising and loading of goods and most importantly to those people who generously support us financially, without ,whose support we could not operate.

There is no doubt that our strength is in the fact that all work is voluntary with donors knowing that all their money is spent on shipping, and the satisfaction and achievement of volunteers embracing the true meaning of charity. We are constantly reminded that so many charities have costs against their objectives whereas all money raised directly benefits The Gambia, we have no administration costs, it is only transportation costs that we have to find.

People do what they do because they care and want to make a difference.

Susan Weaver Deputy Head of St Michaels in Winterbourne spent two weeks teaching at St Charles Lwanga she said “There are not enough words to describe my visit to The Gambia. Part of me is still there and I guess it always will be. The school was a very uplifting place to work. Its 2000+ pupils are eager to learn although they were in dusty, hot classrooms with few displays and resources.
St .Michael’s is eager to develop this link, enabling the children to learn and understand each other’s cultures. I hope and pray that I will be able to visit The Gambia again one day”. Susan taught every day whilst there and totally immersed herself in The Gambia life style, trying her hand at cooking, visiting sick children and spending time in a local compound. She is motivated to become more involved, recognising the value of investing in their future, Their Children.

Training March 2007

Garry Harris of Yate and Pascal Van Ousten from Avonmouth spent 2 weeks in The Gambia giving RTA training and familiarising crews with their new rescue Tender.

Jamie Dewey and Scott Bates of Serco spent 2 weeks training the Airfield Crash Crews. Their work is possibly the most challenging due to the total lack of facilities and the extreme heat on the airfield. The resources at the airport are well below what we would accept in the UK but, quite simply, there is no way that The Gambia can afford this specialist equipment, and currently Serco and others are exploring possibilities in sourcing airfield vehicles.

Future Events

Young Bristol has offered to run a fund raising event for GAFSIP and another dive day is to be arranged. We are participating in a “fun day” with Paul’s Place and a school summer fair in Bradley Stoke.

Chris Millard is currently arranging a training visit for November, covering BA and Rescue Boats.

Our thanks go to Scott Ellis who made the excellent programme “BBC Inside Out West” about GAFSIP. He enjoyed his week with The Gambia Fire and Ambulance Service and Gambia Experience who supported the challenge and continue to help GAFSIP

Louisa Munton Head of Churchill Primary is visiting Albion Lower Basic in October. Pupils and parent will have raised enough money for a container by the end of the year. Fantastic achievement!

Latest News

Our annual report for The Charities Commission is now available on our web site.

We are always seeking support for fund raising activities; please do not hesitate in contacting us for any further information or presentations.

Please consider a regular gift aided contribution to enable GAFSIP to operate
For every pound given, the Inland Revenue will pay a further 28p.