A daring challenge from Antwerp to Banjul 11/10/2008 - 31/10/2008.
Acht leden van HDC-Flanders vonden de perfecte uitdaging in een hoogst verleiderlijke mix van een gewaagd AVONTUUR voor het GOEDE DOEL.
09-12-2008
Harthouse news letter
Dear Friends.
Seasons grettings from the Smiling Coast of West Africa and hoping this finds
you well and not too cold!
Our summer was successful due to not closing at all (except for the Muslim feast
of Koriteh week) and we have, amongst others, Alderwood Living and Learning with
Autism in England.Mountfield Lodge Youth Centre, Loughborough and a Dutch beach
volleyball competition as well as those who responded to our summer appeal, to
thank for that.
Geoff is still playing friendly chess whenever he can and involved in
the(resurrected) Gambian Chess Federation.Along with Rohey and Hoyan(committee
member) he was invited to the U.S.Ambassadors residence for their July 4th
Independence celebration. He was also part of the Gambia`s Special Needs
Education Policy validation workshop as well as attending, with Alagie (our
longest serving staff member), a psychodrama production at The Gambia`s school
of Midwifery and Nursing. Its Alagie who runs our craft table at the Sunset
Beach Hotal and sells the tickets at Churchills Bar and Restaurant each
Saturday during the tourist season, when along with Geoff and Rohey, we have a fundraising
raffle and Geoff tries to sing some `golden oldies`karaoke style.
In October we had 2 notices over the weekend on the local T.V., with
picture, commemorating Hart House`s 6th anniversary.
Lack of power has been one of our headaches but, thanks to a surprise visit by
the Desert Lions team from the Antwerp to Banjul rally, we expect to be up to 10
solar panels soon, which was helped on its way by workers of a Dutch Care Home
who donated 2. The Desert Lions also bought the children a new T.V. and D.V.D.
player (we have no discs though contributions welcome!) and wish to pay for us
to build a local kitchen out the back.
This rally has been a Godsend to us this year as we were also assisted greatly
by the Mari Safari team who gave us a large donation in addition to a vehicle
that has been auctioned by the Jammeh (as of the president) Foundation for
Peace. Geoff is expecting his invitation to State House to join other
beneficiaries for the presentation. Due to this we have already started taking
children on outings for the first time for at least 2 years. Employees of
Barclaycard, England, donated from fundraising events as did Market Harborough
Methodist Church (coffee mornings). We also thank those who have sponsored
children this year and encourage others to do so.
Thomas Cook Northern Europe are providing us with more visitors this year from
Denmark, Finland, Sweden and Norway.
We still need help with electricity, vehicle, signboards, painting, plumbing, furniture and plastering around the outside floor of the house and hope that
some, if not all, of these things will come sooner rather than later.
On behalf of the children, committee, parents and staff, thanks again for your
help, news, visits and interest.Without you, what we provide would not be
possible.
A joyous Christmas to you and a safe, healthy and happy 2009
Geoff and Rohey Hunwicks
