Phyllis' Gambian Experience
Hi Margaret & Chris
I have just spent two weeks in The Gambia with yourselves and have had the experience of seeing what the charity is involved in and visiting my sponsored children. I started of with 3 sponsered children and came home with 4. I cannot stress enough of how much respect i have for you both after seeing first hand how the children of Gambia are benifitting from the HELPING charity.
From day one you made sure that i went to visit my sponsored chidren, starting with Bakoto who had lost along with her family every pocession they had in the world, as their house burnt down. The charity is looking for somewhere for them to live and i am sure that they will over joyed to have somewhere of their own again. Bakoto and her sister Manding came to spend the day with us at the hotel and to have lunch in a restaurant which is something they have never experienced before. The day ended with my sponsoring her sister as well, both girls are very beautiful and doing well at school, i am proud of them both.
Next you took me to Chamin to meet Alieau and his family, but first a visit to the school where we showed teachers and children how to use some of the donated toys, to see their faces light up when something was built made what little bit i try to do worth while. Tried my first Gambian meal which i throughly enjoyed. On to meeting Alieau and his family at their compound who were very pleased to meet me. Although the family like most are poor they remained very cheerful. Alieau was given a box of goodies and the family a bag of rice, had my photo taken with them all which i shall treasure.
My next sponsored child was at Pakau Njogu school. Baba Jarrow although he is only thirteen he is by far the tallest child at the school a very handsome boy who is quite shy. His present and bag of rice was given at their compound. I was invited into the fathers house to meet them all and to have some photos taken with the whole family, this was by far the poorest family compound which made me realise i have to collect what ever i can to help these families.
Other highlights of my trip was going on the ferry which is an experience in itself. Going across the river at Jinack in a canoe holding on for grim death and laughing all the time, the greeting by all the children at the other side is wonderful sight, i loved them all. This is an island that needs so much yet everyone remains so happy. The Nursey when it is fully built will really benifit the whole island a credit to the HELPING charity.
I have really taken to the Gambia and its people, was lucky enough to make lots of friends, cant wait for my next trip to visit even more. My spare bedroom is to be filled with boxes with things that will give some children and their families things that they cannot afford themseves. If i can make just a bit of difference i will be a happy woman.
So Margaret and Chris thank you once again for wonderful 2 weeks but be warned i am thinking of spending 3 weeks out there next year (you are lucky people ha! ha!). I must also thank your team out in the Gambia Sarjor. Karamo and Alhadgi who looked after me so well. Cant wait for my next trip out there.
Phyllis Allen
Hi Margaret & Chris
I have just spent two weeks in The Gambia with yourselves and have had the experience of seeing what the charity is involved in and visiting my sponsored children. I started of with 3 sponsered children and came home with 4. I cannot stress enough of how much respect i have for you both after seeing first hand how the children of Gambia are benifitting from the HELPING charity.
From day one you made sure that i went to visit my sponsored chidren, starting with Bakoto who had lost along with her family every pocession they had in the world, as their house burnt down. The charity is looking for somewhere for them to live and i am sure that they will over joyed to have somewhere of their own again. Bakoto and her sister Manding came to spend the day with us at the hotel and to have lunch in a restaurant which is something they have never experienced before. The day ended with my sponsoring her sister as well, both girls are very beautiful and doing well at school, i am proud of them both.
Next you took me to Chamin to meet Alieau and his family, but first a visit to the school where we showed teachers and children how to use some of the donated toys, to see their faces light up when something was built made what little bit i try to do worth while. Tried my first Gambian meal which i throughly enjoyed. On to meeting Alieau and his family at their compound who were very pleased to meet me. Although the family like most are poor they remained very cheerful. Alieau was given a box of goodies and the family a bag of rice, had my photo taken with them all which i shall treasure.
My next sponsored child was at Pakau Njogu school. Baba Jarrow although he is only thirteen he is by far the tallest child at the school a very handsome boy who is quite shy. His present and bag of rice was given at their compound. I was invited into the fathers house to meet them all and to have some photos taken with the whole family, this was by far the poorest family compound which made me realise i have to collect what ever i can to help these families.
Other highlights of my trip was going on the ferry which is an experience in itself. Going across the river at Jinack in a canoe holding on for grim death and laughing all the time, the greeting by all the children at the other side is wonderful sight, i loved them all. This is an island that needs so much yet everyone remains so happy. The Nursey when it is fully built will really benifit the whole island a credit to the HELPING charity.
I have really taken to the Gambia and its people, was lucky enough to make lots of friends, cant wait for my next trip to visit even more. My spare bedroom is to be filled with boxes with things that will give some children and their families things that they cannot afford themseves. If i can make just a bit of difference i will be a happy woman.
So Margaret and Chris thank you once again for wonderful 2 weeks but be warned i am thinking of spending 3 weeks out there next year (you are lucky people ha! ha!). I must also thank your team out in the Gambia Sarjor. Karamo and Alhadgi who looked after me so well. Cant wait for my next trip out there.
Phyllis Allen
posted by HELPING at 11:02 am
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