A huge cheer of applause to everyone who has helped us with our streetlights project, which is now complete. If you would like to continue to support our projects in Sierra Leone, then please go to our new Justgiving page. Just paste the following web address into your browser - https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/Travel-costs-to-College

See below for details of the streetlights project that we did in Spring 2019. Any further funds that happen to land here will be diverted to our new project.

Our friends Ian and Heather are volunteering at their own expense in Sierra Leone. They asked Julrick, elected Head Man of York Village and Prince, elected Head Man of Bure Village, what would make a real difference in their villages.

It's the 200th anniversary of the founding of Freetown, when in 1819 the first freed slaves returned to set up home here. The Head Men of both these villages said that they would like to install some street lighting. It goes dark at 7pm and there is no electricity supply to either village. Solar street lights make it safer to move around, help them spot snakes, provide a place where adults can gather to talk and children can do their homework, and increase pride in the community.

To get them started, Ian offered to matchfund some lights in each village. Despite being one of the poorest countries in the world, these ambitious and determined local leaders have raised their half of the money for 20 solar lights. We have raised funds for 10, so now need to raise another £600 to meet our half of the bargain. Please help by making a donation. It will all go directly to this project.

We visited these villages in 2018 and are in weekly contact with Ian and Heather, so just get in touch if you want an update or any more information.

You can see more about their projects at http://peterbates.org.uk/home/development-work-in-africa/seeking-support-for-sierra-leone/

Together, let's shed a little light in the world!