We were able to take clothes, shoes, pens pencils etc., over for the children as we had promised them....thanks to the generosity of many in both time and goods. We also received a couple of generous donations from special people we know from our many first world war trips to Belgium and The Somme.
As well as giving to the children we had met last year others were able to benefit, especially at the Missionary where we also donated money. The photograph above with one of the few holdalls being lifted down from the bus is taken at the sister's. We were unable to take further photo's but were made very welcome. Sister Monica took time to answer our questions and then we were allowed to look around.
The Missionaries of Charity take in under nourished small children and babies, there was also a teenage disabled girl and two mother's with their babies being cared for at the time we visited. The sister's go out to the compound's to teach mother's how to care for and feed their children they also visit prison's and donate to the needy from donations given to them. The missionary stems from mother Theresa's work.
The missionary is very clean and organised, the food looks healthy and plentiful. Once the children are nourished and parents taught how to care for their children they are allowed back home or to live with a close relative.
Our visit was very moving and we aim to continue to contribute in some way including hands on.
Vin and myself are waiting to hear from our travel agent for dates and cost for us to return next march/April when we hope to spend three to four weeks next time.
Our agent is also arranging for us to meet with a lady called Petra who has been a charity worker out there for eighteen years and we have been told we will be able to do some hands on work out in the compounds and help to supply things that are genuinely needed. [Our travel agents mother who was half Gambian lived out there doing charity work also, but sadly died last year in her 40's] So our contacts are quite a few and one's we know we can trust. The owners of the complex where we stayed this time are closely linked to these people,.... we are aiming to stay there again.
The group of children pictured here are from one of the compound's we visited this year.
The girl photographed alone is called Owa she is three years old and has been ill quite a lot recently....we were able to pay for the Dr's fees from separate money three colleagues gave me to use as i wished along with some of our own money to ensure there would be food to eat also. The outfit she is wearing was given to me by another colleague.
So our fund raising will continue and the money be put to very good use.
