How it all started

My family and I had the privilege of visiting the children of Medina Salam, a small village in The Gambia over the Easter break. We were there to do some volunteering at a local school. The school was founded in 2004 by Wonder Years Centre of Excellence (WYCE). It has headquarters in the UK (website:https://www.wyce.org.uk/about) and The Gambia (http://wycegambia.com/ ). WYCE is run by Gambians for Gambians.

Medina Salam is a very poor, rural community. Its people are welcoming, friendly and dignified. As well as the school, WYCE runs a small but vital community medical clinic, in much need of urgent repair works. Our family would like to help this lovely community repair their clinic so it can continue to serve the local population.

Currently in place

Currently, WYCE run a bee farm and cycle workshop which help support its core work - the WYCE school and clinic. The cycle work shop receives donations from "Re-cycle for Africa", a charity which donates old bikes through out Africa for reconditioning and onward sale.

In 2017, 68% of WYCE’s funding in The Gambia was earned through the bee farm and cycle workshop. WCYE also employees approximately 30 people in The Gambia. The school receives some limited Gambian government funding now that it has evolved from a nursery to higher education also. However, WYCE continue to fund resources for the younger children and fund school meals for the entire school.

The clinic has one full time nurse and is located outside the school. It provides immunisations and malaria treatment for the children as well as acting as a first point of call for the local community for non-emergency matters. It also has a small maternity ward where local women can give birth, provided there are no known complications. Whilst we were there, there were two births: one straightforward and one which had to be referred to the hospital in the nearest town.

With all the services & support that WYCE provides in Medina Salam, there is nothing left over to fix the failing infrastructure of the clinic. Here is where we'd like to help.

What the money will be used for

The clinic is in need of refurbishment. It's roof is not fit for purpose. During the rainy season water soaks through - making the maternity room in particular unusable. It also does not have a reliable source of electricity. Currently it uses a very outdated and faulty solar panel system which can't support the medication fridge. The intention is to install an updated solar powered system capable of supporting the medication fridge, other necessary medical equipment and power outlets in the ward. The cost of the two projects together will be £7,000.