Stories for Gambian Children

Sorry, I was a little early with the news that this book is available free on Amazon ebooks. It's on now, for five days and the first one has gone to some discerning reader in America! Feel free to review or point out errors and I'll try to correct any mistakes. many thanks, Tom.

Where is Malinding?

A few people have asked me about the location of the village which features in my e-books - Malinding. Sorry, you can't go there because it exists only in my imagination. If you can find a map of The Gambia, or if you search for the villages of Lamin and Mandinari you'll be looking in the right area. From Lamin Taxi Centre take a car to Mandinari Village. From there ask your driver to turn right and follow the River Gambia for about 2km. You'll find the place where Malinding might be on the inlet (bolong) - but don't get out of the car because the village really isn't there!You won't meet any of the characters you may have read about in the books - they're imaginary too, I'm afraid. But please don't let this put you off visiting the Gambia and meeting the real people who live there. They'll love meeting you, and are some of the nicest people on the planet.

Good news day!

Many thanks to the staff and customers at Hatter's Cafe Shop in Warrington! We emptied the GOES collection box and counted the grand total of £36.90 ! We promise that all of this (and all of any other donations) will reach The Gambia intact - we don't use any Charity money for our expenses.
As a 'thank you' I've put one of our e-books, 'Stories for Gambian Children', on free offer on Amazon e-books.

Bit of a blow!

Just discovered that Thomas Cook has had to reduce our  Charity baggage allowance from 20kg to 10kg. Still, we want the aircraft to be able to take off! We'll be doing some weighing and de-selecting. Some of the heavy text-books wmay have to stay at home ...
Also discovered we might have a bit of a problem with our travel insurance. Can't go without that! Still, 'May you live in interesting times ...'
We'll keep you posted.
Anybody going to The Gambia without any luggage? !
:-)
Tom

Found it!

 

Ten days till this is on its way!

People have been giving us all sorts of goodies to take to The Gambia in December. This is some of it! We have three suitcases and 60kg to take (thanks again, Thomas Cook and the staff at Warrington!) People are very kind and understand the needs of people in Sub-Saharan Africa. When ever we travel out there seem to be dozens of people taking things out for their Gambian friends. We started off years ago helping ShineAfrica, another small charity supporting Nursery Education. After that first visit Africa bit! It won't let go either! About thirty trips later there is still more to do. It would be lovely to think that all the politicians in the world could soon solve the problem of poverty in the world but until that happy day thousands of people who aren't politicians will continue to help when ever we can.
Thanks again to all who have helped - you know who you are! Just viewed this - seem to have lost the picture! Sorry - probably on the bed in the middle of the muddle ...

Can't find the spare bed!

As usual before we visit The Gambia the spare bed vanishes under the mass of things we've been given to take out with us: children's clothing, reading glasses, medical supplies, books, mobile 'phones (very few of those this year - people in UK hanging onto theirs much longer!). I'll try and post a picture - if I can find my camera. I think I left it on the spare bed ...

Looking Back.

 A collection of pictures we've taken during the past few years. If you're thinking about a holiday in The Gambia - pack and go! Take a few gifts - chalk and pencils and crayons for schools, reading glasses and crepe bandages for the clinics, dictionaries and books about football for students. A few pounds spent in Banjul market will buy mosquito nets for any one! Beware though - if you go once you'll go again (and again and again and ...) See you there?

Many thanks to Amieyo for this cover picture!

 This is the original of the picture which features on the front cover of 'The Mechanical Girl' , set in the imaginary village of Malinding, on the south bank of the River Gambia. The book features the adventures of a highly intelligent village girl, who by virtue of hard work comes to be of great value to her community in spite of many difficulties. Thanks again, Amieyo!

Thank you, Amieyo

'The Mechanical Girl', out on Kindle, now has a new front cover. We're delighted to welcome Amieyo from Bakau to our long list of friends and helpers. I explained to her the character of Fatou, the mechanical girl, and Amieyo came up with exactly the right picture of a bright village girl with an enquiring mind and a determination to help people. As soon as I've found out how to add text to the title page of the book I'll give her credt there, but I hope this will act as a thank you message!