The Gambia is one of Africa’s smallest and poorest nations. In rural areas, nearly 70% of the population lives in poverty. Furthermore, only 42% of The Gambia’s adult population is literate, and poor access to education continues to hinder development efforts. Extreme weather events are also becoming increasingly common.
Crossroads has sent two shipments to our partner in The Gambia, in 2016 and 2021, to support organisations involved in community development projects in rural areas. The goods included in these shipments ranged from computers, school furniture, and medical equipment to clothing and household supplies. These items were distributed to health centres, schools, and families impacted by flooding.
The next shipment will include similar items, such as computers, medical equipment, and school furniture, along with additional goods for children, including clothing, toys, and strollers.
The staff remain deeply grateful for the vital support provided by these shipments. We are pleased to send another shipment to help our partners continue and expand their work.
This photo is from a newspaper reporting on storm damage:
“A deadly windstorm Wednesday night left nine people dead… The destructive wind, estimated to be traveling at a speed of 85 km per hour, was the worst windstorm in five years.” A national official stated, “It is the poor and vulnerable who bear the brunt of the death and destruction.”
Our partner shared that many victims of natural disasters were able to get back on their feet thanks to donated items, such as clothes, shoes, television sets, refrigerators, and other essentials, which helped replace what they had lost.
The goods included in this shipment will consist of household items, as well as computers, refrigerators, books, toys for children, and some medical and nursing equipment
A donation of clothes can lift spirits and be of practical use in the wake of disasters.
A comment from the last shipment: “Another impact was the donation of clothes and toys for newborn babies. These items were new and most parents here cannot afford new items for their children due to the vicious cycle of poverty. The parents were overjoyed and would always remember this anytime their children wore the clothes.”
Loading hospital beds into the last container was hard work, as always. But they are much appreciated, as our partner said – “The main achievements with the two shipments have definitely been in the areas of equipping affected health centres and rural schools… Most of these health centres had not enough beds for patients as most are asked to lie on the floor. We were able to provide hospital beds to equip the rural health centres after their renovations.”
