The group, founded by the late John Pickering
in the 1980s is now in its first year as a registered charity.
Dumbutu is a good three hours' drive east of
the capital, Banjul, and borders one of the largest protected areas in the
Gambia, the Kiang West National Park, itself home
to exotic creatures including Colobus monkey, hyena, crocodile and leopard.
The village has a population of 350 and 250
children from Dumbutu and its surrounding area attending the school there.
The new school was built in 1990 and partly funded by the Woodbury Salterton
link. In addition, 50 children now have their education directly funded by
East Devon residents.
Another
substantial village project includes the completion of a multi-purpose
centre. Funds were raised by a whole host of activities and the centre,
complete with electricity is now up and running, giving Dumbutu villagers a
place to work and meet.
A number of people from Woodbury Salterton
have been fortunate enough to visit the African village gaining a first hand
insight of the many projects they supported and making many friends in the
process. The group are currently seeking to collect items to be sent to
Africa. These include school books, hand tools and sewing machines. It is
important that tools and machines. are manually operated.
With more events planned for the future, the
several thousand miles between the two villages continues to be bridged by
the links and friendships formed.
Anyone who can help in donating items should
contact Warren Wright on (01395) 233006 or Tony Bennett on 01395-233672, email:
macro@eclipse.co.uk
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