November
A new Nanny of our shelter, more beds for the boys and a container
November was full of good news, especially for our children’s shelter: One the one hand, we were able to hire another nanny for our darra children. The lady is a strong woman with experience in raising darra children. She herself has 6 kids, which also means that this good, regularly paid job greatly relieves her from daily live’s sorrows.
Next, we transformed donated money into 9 more beds for our boys in the shelter. As the numbers of boys in our shelter was constantly growing over the last months, we had to add more beds to make them feel really comfortable.
Last but not least we found a discarded container which from now on saves plenty of our stuff from rain, dust and mice.
October
Full Scholarship for Aji Fatou Nyang
What makes parents prouder than a daugther who is learning with determination for her professional future? – Aji Fatou Nyang did so well in her WAEC exams that she was granted a full scholarship to study BSc Nursing at the American University. Even by now, she is a well doing nurse assistent in our Foundation’s clinic, and we are looking so much forward for the day she walks in as a graduated health worker. Go ahead, Aji!
FOUr STAFF MEMBERS ENROLLED FOR “NURSING FOR COMMUNITY HEALTH SERVICE”-TRAINING
Beginning on 4.th October, four nurse attendents of our clinic will start a 2-years training programm at Hadigala College. Because, we acknowledge their hard and comitted work for the community by giving them a real chance to improve their professional skills. Thus, not only do these students take advantage individually but also our clinic and it‘s catchment area. Good luck to all of you, may you succeed in achiving our common goal!
July
tobasci (sacrifice festival)
For Tobasci (Sacrifice Festival), the highet Islamic holiday, we gave out donations to those neighbours who are unable to secure their food supply due to severe poverty. As a result of the ongoing pandemic we see an extreme increase in poverty throughout the country. As if pandemic wasn’t enough trouble, only a few days before Tobasci Gambia was hit by one of the worst ever rainstorms the country has ever witnessed. Clearly a result of climate change, the storm tore roofs off hundreds of houses, collapsed unnumbered walls and killed at least 10 people. Thanks be to God, solid mansory and roofing craft, our own compound was not affected. Helping some affected neighbours having a decent Tobasci was the least we could do for them.
Additionally, we presented all children, who have no family to go, with new clothes.
May
Koriteh (sugar feast)
For Koriteh, our Darra used to close, to let meet all the children their families. Last year, due to the pandemic, it wasn’t possible, instead we kept the children safe in the Darra and gave them the best Koriteh possible by presenting every child with a new dress and giving out charity to our neighbours in need. This year, we celebrated the closing with a great Iftar. We invited Islamic elders to test the level of the children’s Q’ran knowledge. Many children gave amazing examples by reciting Q’ran verses. The elders were deeply impressed by their presentations. Also, they appreciated the good living and health conditions of our Darra children, and praised our exemplary way to combine general and religous education. It was a very meaningful day for the Darra children and everybody else attending. The wonderful recitations, the feast and the overall athmosphere gave our children a feeling of happiness and an understandig of the good sides of Islam, for which we stand.
**Watch video of our great day
With the pandemic still putting down Gambia’s economy, we were only able to celebrate that splendid day with the support of caring sponsors, tho whom we all extend our thanks:
Health and Education Gambia/ Gesundheit und Bildung Gambia e.V.,
Medical and Humanitarian Support and to
Ms. Tess Treurniet.
We also extend our thanks to everybody else worldwide, who donated in favour of our Darra, they might be muslim, christian, or of any other belief – we are very happy to stand united with all of them.
April
Introduction of our Foundation in German weekly newspaper
In the village of Rangsdorf, the homebase of our German supporters Health and Education Gambia Charity / Gesundheit und Bildung Gambia e.V., we were represented in it’s weekly newspaper. Chairwoman Anja Schuetz, together with our ambassador Ms. Daniela Saratah Hausdorf-Keita launched an informative article about our noble course, to raise awareness for our clinic and darra.
article in german professional journal “die hebamme” (The Midwive)
We proudly announce to be represented in April’s edition of German professional journal for midwives “Die Hebamme” (The Midwife). The article describes (in German) the work and efforts of our clinic, our staff and our foundation, was initiated by our volunteering midwife Anne-Katrin Klotzsch and co-written by the Foundation’s ambassador in Germany, Ms Daniela Saratah Hausdorf-Keita. It feels good to tell fellow midwives about our doing, our challenges and our successes.
septic tank renewal started
Since our clinic was set up in 2009, the numbers of person using the sanitary block has been increased enormously. During the past rainy season, we had to deal with several overflowdings because the current tank is too small now. Thus, the expansion of the septic tank is one of our main 2021-goals for the whole premises. In order to reach that goal before next rainy season begins, we have recently started the construction work. Our financial burden is shared by a couple of supportes, especially Health and Education The Gambia Charity.
March
Making the boys’ rooms a dream to live in
Yes, we did it! With the help of our partnering ngo Gesundheit und Bildung Gambia charity, we were able to commission a welder to make 10 double bunk beds for our boys. We painted them white to keep moscitos away. Now, completed with moscito nets, the boys immediately settled themselves in their first own beds ever.
We have achieved an important project goal that we have set for this year: a new ambulance car.
Since 2018, when we were honored with the donation of an elderly but reliable ambulance car, that car had been a great blessing for our patients. Only with that ambulance car, we were able to transport severe cases for admittance in a hospital. Unfortunately, it’s engine broke, in January.
Now in March, we were honored with a kind donation, again: our volunteering midwife Anne-Katrin and her family, friends and neighbours raised money in an incredible short time to buy an ambulance from EEA International in Gambia. Expecially in the current situation, with the covid-19-pandemic still not over, we are now well positioned again to transport our patients quickly and professionally to a larger hospital.
February
Wardrobes for our children
We are going on furnishing our still new girls’ house. With support from our partnering ngo Gesundheit und Bildung Gambia charity, we were able to commission a carpenter to make 7 wardrobes: four for the middle age girls in the girls’ house, one for elder girls in the big house, one in the room of the girls’ nanny, and one in the room for the boys’ nanny. Because, the nannies take care of the clothes for the younger children whilst the elder children have some clothes to take care for on their own.
TEAM TRAINING
For a month now, midwife Anne-Katrin is volunteering in our clinic, representing Gesundheit und Bildung Gambia e.V. charity. She primarly supports our midwife team, collecting professional, organisational, economic and cultural experiences. In return, Anne-Katrin shares updating knowledge in midwifery with us, as she is also a teacher in that subject: after giving a lesson by laptop presentation, she forwards the summery on their colleagues’ mobile phones. Very educative and entertaining, keep it up!
1.st January
Guess what! – On this New Year’s Day, after a safe delivery, we welcomed a baby girl in our new labour ward. We wish you a very happy, succesful and healthy long life, little girl!
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Sheikh Tihami I. Nyass foundation 