JustGiving’s homepage
Start Fundraising

Your friends are fundraising. Don't miss out, opt in.

Fundraiser complete

This page is now closed, but you can still donate to the cause directly

The Long Way ... Home

John Earwicker is raising money for Education West Africa
Donations cannot currently be made to this page

The Long Way ... Home · 22 June 2012

At Education West Africa, we ask children, teachers and headteachers what their greatest needs are, and set up projects to fulfil those needs. Our main projects are school uniforms, school furniture and building refurbishments. All pupils must have a uniform before they can start school. EWA's school uniform project provides funds to pay local tailors to make uniforms for children whose parents are too poor to provide one. This crates employment for the local community, and enables more children to attend school. A school uniform costs £5. Many schools in Sierra Leone are short of furniture, so EWA employs local carpenters to build desks and benches for schools. This enables the funds to be used twice: providing employment for the furniture makers and desks for the schools. The sustainability of the wood and the quality of the furniture is monitored by associates in Freetown and Bo, and by Trustees on their visits. The cost of a desk set is £26. This provides a desk and bench, seating 3-4 children. Trustees have found on their visits that some schools can be in a poor state of repair. When funds allow, we contribute towards refurbishment costs, paying for materials and asking the local community to help provide the labour. We ask the local Education Secretaries in Freetown and Bo to send us photos of schools which are in urgent need and detailed costings of what is required. Once we have agreed to release funds for a school, we ask for photos of the completed work.

Story

As many of you will know I’ve spent the past few months working in Toulouse and the time has nearly come for me to return home. Instead of taking the usual flight home I’ve decided, in support of Education West Africa, to cycle the 1000Km home! This will be an 8 day solo ride, where I will be challenged by not only the distance and the heat (around 30-35 degrees) but also my map reading skills & French sign posts!

As some of you may be aware, I had the opportunity last November to go out to Sierra Leone and see firsthand the difference that this charity makes in improving the lives of so many children in one of the poorest countries in the world. It is an experience I shall never forget and therefore I would be grateful for any support that you can offer!

 

Donation summary

Total
£484.22
+ £87.31 Gift Aid
Online
£484.22
Offline
£0.00

Charities pay a small fee for our service. Learn more about fees