1991 to 2008 17 life changing years Visit us at; www.gafsip.org For further info or presentations contact David or Claire on 01454 772529   Charitable Trust No 1106650

WINTER NEWS UPDATE 2008

Water Rescue Stations Now Open

Last year 57 fishermen lost their lives and the Fishing Communities, desperate to kerb this tragic waste of life, have provided the accommodation.   

Roger Bakurin and Moussa Touray said “this is a true partnership initiative with Government supporting the additional crews, the community providing accommodation and Gambia Fire and Rescue resourcing these facilities. The community also feeds the on duty crew and provides fuel”.

On 14 occasions in recent months crews have responded to fishermen in distress at sea from engine failures to capsize.

Representatives of the fishing communities in the four areas all recorded thanks and appreciation to GAFSIP and added that those people who helped Aztec Rotary secure the boats can never appreciate the value of them to the Gambian people, they are all truly grateful for this life saving service.

Further supporting initiatives in improving safety are, life jackets to be worn by all fishing crew, the carrying of mobile phones to advise on departure and location where fishing.

Internationally Recognised IT Qualifications

Roger Bakurin said at the ceremony that he was proud that his crews had the opportunity to further their education in this vital field as there is a need to be IT literate in today’s world.

Claire Hutchings presents certificates Gambia Fire and Rescue have resourced a qualified IT Trainer and the courses are available to all staff employed by them. The course is of 3 month duration and covers all topics from basic to advanced computer skills. Key inputs are Word, Spreadsheets, Outlook and The Internet.

Women’s Groups Continue to Develop

Claire Hutchings and Susan Weaver Deputy Head teacher of St Michaels in Winterbourne visit the fire fighters wives association.

This group have continued developing sewing skills utilising the donated sewing machines in addition to traditional skills such as tie dye and batik.

The sales of their goods provide a small financial reserve for times of hardship and widowhood.

Claire is delighted to report that three women’s centres are now successfully operating and said “it is difficult to imagine how these women survive with no state support with children on divorce or bereavement, life insurance is nonexistent for the average Gambian”.

St Michael’s and St Charles Lwanga Partnership Thrives

Susan said she was delighted to see the former IT Suite from St Michaels up and running in the Gambia, this will aid the enthusiastic exchange of information between the two schools.

Project Red Dolphin, GAFSIP in partnership with Gambia Experience

	Left.  Official handover of watch towers. Above. Lifeguards demonstrate a rescue training exercise.

GAFSIP are proud to be part of project Red Dolphin, this is a beach safety project supported by the Responsible Tourism Partnership and The Gambia Tourist Association.

Gambia Experience has built three of the 5 watch towers on the main tourist beaches with the RTP sourcing the other two. Currently, volunteers provide cover at each of the towers and the hotels give them a meal each day.

The aim is that the GTA will pay the lifeguards to ensure cover, control of a duty system and more importantly high standards of training.

Tragically, year on year, tourists and local children perish in the sea and historically there has been no cover.

We are committed to equip the watch towers and we need to raise £5,000 to do this, we are also seeking to facilitate training to RLSS standards for the lifeguards. Accommodation will likely be provided by the hotel association in The Gambia so volunteers please.

Tragically whilst in the Gambia we were involved in recovering the body of a 14 year old boy who struggled with the current the previous evening a short way up the beach. A very graphic and harsh reminder of life without the rescue services we all enjoy and to a degree take for granted here at home.

David Hutchings said “this is a basic and essential safety resource which we are proud to be involved with, it will also give us the opportunity to directly respond to Gambia Experience who have supported us since 1991. The beaches and sea are fantastic but the tides and currents can catch out the best of swimmers”.

WE NEED YOUR HELP HELP

Please call David or Claire on 01454 772529 for more information