Speaker David Pointon on charity drive to Gambia

Rotarians, wives and guests meeting at Sam’s enjoyed a presentation given by David Pointon and Pip Land. The theme “9 folks and 2 Mercs to Africa” told of an expedition to Gambia to Serrekunda to the school for blind and partially sighted children. The Friends of GOVI (Gambian Organisation for the Visually Impaired) Dales team took two minibuses loaded with equipment and toys on a 3,448 mile journey to the School in December 2006. Much of the funding and equipment like computers, printers and scanners and the Braille embosser resulted from the generosity of individuals and organisations in the Dales. A pre-school for visually impaired children has just been started. There are 40 children in the School.

Equipment and toys are needed but so is food. World Food Aid has been withdrawn from Gambia and diverted to areas where children are starving and will die without this aid. However the School needs to provide breakfast and dinner for the children, as many have not been fed before they arrive each day.  It costs around 50p. daily for each child. If each school child in the Dale gave 5p. to the School the £6,000 annual feeding cost could be met.

The vote of thanks was provided by Mike Chilton.