We had planned a trip to the Gambia and had heard about the oppurtunity to sponser a child...we looked into this and after walking the compounds and hearing the stories, visiting a school we decided that we would like to sponser a young child but not just on paperwork but more personally And we have been led to a wonderful little boy that is just 2 years old who we call Mikey.

We were extremely lucky to be introduced to a New Zealander named Paddy who with his wife run an amazing organisation called Samaritanagambia. They mainly work with young women who have been exposed to sexual abuse, expolitation, trafficking, abandanmont and many more harrowing issues and we could see both from the girls and the stories that they told that they were taught to feel trust, love and compassion as well as being provided with a safe enviroment and the oppurtunity to gain qualifications and work within the charity itself. The young women themselves are amazing and now themselves work in promoting awareness to children in schools etc.

This has lead us to the dear little one we‘ve named Mikey..... Mickey is from a large family whose father passed away when his mother was 6 months pregnant with him so he has never known a father figure. He is one of 7 children looked after by a grandmother who infact wishes to sell the little chap for 1000 dalasis (approx 13 GBP). He lives in what is a compond with many other people very poor and totally basic. We walked these componds and the smell of stagnent water from the gullys on the road sides was unbeliveable. These children and families so very poor there diet is rice and bread with many children not attending education or any of the other things that our children are so lucky to have.

Mikeys has twin sisters who seem to be the main ones to care for him and they themselves are just 12 years old abandoned by their father and are also trying to go to school and one infact has been subject to sexual abuse herself.... they through the school seminars have taken Mikey to the “safe house” and this is how we have been able to get involved and privalaged to come into his life.

The wonderful samaritana have agreed to have him come mon-fri to enable the girls to go to school they get up at 5am to get him there for 7am before going onto school. This is great but not the ideal situation for a 2 year old who could benefit from the stability of nursery as he has actually only made it thre twice in a week and the girls for whatever reason havent attended school.

we are looking for a nursery now as a matter of urgency to offer this little boy stability, support, play and fun and know that at least part of his day is a safe enviroment with stimulation and hopefully the feeling of being wanted and cared for.

We are sponsering this little one monthly but would just love enough money in the pot so to speak to know this can continue and then onto primary education as well as the everyday things a child needs such as nappies, clothes, food, water And maybe even the odd treat or birthday present.

We were lucky enough to be able to spend time with him and have this little one at the hotel with us. He went from scared of the water to playing with us smiling and laughing and splashing, he cuddled, he felt affection, he ate and drank fresh water, this precious little boy has melted our hearts and feels part of our us now but is sadly so far away so please help us to help this little boy to be a new gambian and have a future and help us and the wonderful samaritana give him the best start in life we can like we would our own children.

Any donation however small would be wonderful and so appreciated and if you cant donate i please ask you share this werever you can.

We have daily contact with the charity and can update anyone accordingly of this little ones progress and hopefully of an improving situation. The samaritana will keep me informed of progress, his teachers, nursery place , home enviroment etc.

So please if a few pounds can be spared your make an amazing difference to a wonderful little boys life But also take pressure off his sisters that are also just 12 years old and go to school and become the young women they want to be which they cant do without an education.

thankyou for reading the lengthy story which has been spared of the details and hopefully given enough info to understand just how tough life can be Out there