Sheffield Half Marathon

Hello All,

I am just back from my trip to watch the athlete’s race. It was a great day and they both performed brilliantly, especially given the race preparation.

We met Lamin and the coach at Ebrima’s house who is accommodating them both for their stay. We then went to Roy Sanyang’s to collect Mariama, who is staying with him along with Hoja and her coach. Needless to say I was surprised to know they were staying there but it was great to see them both again.

We then headed over to Sheffield to race. The race was really well attended, I think somewhere in the region of 8000 runners. We were able to take up a good positions and get plenty of photo’s and also cheer on the athlete’s as they passed us. A few of Roy and Ebrima’s friends made it along to support the athlete’s and created a great atmosphere.

Lamin Sanneh finished 4th with a time of 1hr 11 mins 22 secs. Mariama T Jallow finished 4th in the Female category with a time of 1hr 22 mins 08 secs. Both performed amazingly well under the circumstances and we were all very proud of their efforts. Although they both missed out on a medal by 1 position they both did get a prize which was presented by the race sponsor (SIG).

Afterwards, we were able to get some more photo’s taken and even had some local news stations asking us questions and taking pictures for publication. It was great to see all the interest around the athlete’s and The Gambian flag being displayed with great pride.

I am pleased to say both athletes are well and are being taken very good care of. They are preparing to participate in the BUPA Great Manchester run on the 26th May thanks to Roy entering them, this includes Hoja.

I have spoken with sports journalist Sang Mendy tonight and he has asked me to report on the race on his Sports Bites show tomorrow night from 9.30pm GMT. You can listen in on: www.citylimitsradio.com

Please link below for photo’s published on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.635327556496683.1073741825.574665102562929&type=1&l=2463a4d614%20

Kind regards,

Martin Myers
www.fotga.org.uk
www.brufut-ma.org
www.gilkock.com
www.kiltyrunner.co.uk
@kilty_runner

Yaya Camara: In Memoriam

Yaya Camara died tragically young at the age of 32. As a child he was sponsored by Friends of The Gambia Association, and he became a valued and trusted member if our staff in charge of the Gambian office.

Noon, 25th March 2012:  A man dies in The Gambia.  Before sunset his body is placed in a coffin that is tied to the  roof of  a 7 seater mini bus and driven onto the  Baujul-Barra ferry, first stage of his last journey to his born village of Jinak.  He is laid to rest before the sun goes down.

No worldwide press newsflash of his passing was broadcast, but this man was Yaya Camara, Lead Representative of Friends of The Gambia Association.
To the children in the charity sponsorship scheme, to the office staff who worked under him, and to the UK charity committee and the members and sponsors this unforseen sad event was a tragedy beyond words.

Yaya himself was a product of The Friends of The Gambia sponsorship scheme.  Yaya was one of those malnourished children we see on the television, born to a Gambian subsistence farming family who were trying desperately to grow enough food to feed the family, in a country where no rain falls for a 9 month period in every year.

To young Yaya’s good fortune, there were tourists enjoying the sunshine of The Gambia, and one of these fantastic tourist couples decided to put something back into the country they had enjoyed so much.  At the tender age of 7 Yaya had a sponsor from Friends of The Gambia Association.  Yaya rose to the challenge and studied hard.  Against all odds finally passing out at Grade 12 with excellent school reports.  His sponsors remained enthusiastic, and encouraged Yaya to continue further education, for not only did Yaya wish to better himself but he was even more interested in helping his fellow man, and doing something to help the thousands of children in the same position he had been in some 25 years previously.  When an opportunity arose Friends of The Gambia Association offered Yaya the position of Lead Representative in The Gambia.  This appointment turned out to be the best move the charity had ever made, for Yaya threw everything he had into the job, and in the time before the tragic illness struck he completed a major project.

In his short but marked time representing the charity Yaya had endeared himself to all who came to know him.  His conscientious hard work and honesty were beyond reproach.

Yaya was an excellent manager , and to his credit he trained Sukai and Fatoumatta in Friends of the Gambia Association activities.  So much so that the charity have been able to give them both the opportunity to manage the work of the charity in The Gambia.

Parent Teachers Association Annual Meeting 2012

On Sunday January 29th the annual PTA meeting was held at the office in The Gambia
Around 300 Teachers, Parents, Students, Staff and Visitors were present to hear about the Charity’s work in The Gambia during the past year.
The meeting was once more led by MC Mamadou Max Jallow and Yaya Camara (country representative), Teachers and staff spoke about the past year and thanked FoTGA for their generous efforts during the year.

There was entertainment from a Gambian group and Banjo and Guitar tunes from visiting Sponsors.
16 promising students were presented with prizes for their work during the year.

A very enjoyable day

Jeff

Brikama Nursery School Project Finished.

Hungry Gambian children at the new nursery school in Brikama

Friends of The Gambia Association are pleased to announce that the project to build a three-classroom block plus store and toilets at the Brikama Progress Nursery School is completed.

The project was made possible through a very generous funding gift by one of our members. We are all very grateful for the wonderful donation. The quality of the build is excellent with an all steel roof that will be able to withstand rainy season winds. Our builder has excelled himself and has created a building that we can all be proud of. The excellent quality of the finishing and the artistry are a sight to behold.

Brikama's new nursery school built by FOTGA

The school consists three modern classrooms accommodating up to 60 children in each class. The local population are so impressed that already there is a long waiting list of children. I must say this is the best nursery school build that I have seen in all the 20 odd years that I have been holidaying in The Gambia, and it is a credit to the UK committee and project team, and to the efforts of our team in The Gambia office, Yaya, Sukai and Fatoumatta.

The teachers and staff are over the moon with excitement to have such a facility. Big smiles of wonder all round. They are so dedicated to their job of giving the children of Brikama a sound educational start in life. And me! The success of this project is one of the highlights of my work with Friends of The Gambia Association. We have certainly proved that we can deliver, if we can only raise the funding for our next proposed project at Bakindik. Dave Smith 2011 12 27

Brufut Run

Registrations are rolling in for the 2011 Brufut Run which takes place in Brufut, The Gambia, West Africa on Saturday December 17th 2011.
      This will be the first Half Marathon (21km) to be held alongside the regular 10km run and a special Cycling event covering many areas of the country and finishing in Brufut on December 17th 2011.
The Friends of The Gambia Association is again sponsoring the event.
To enter contact martin@fotga.org.uk

Brikama nursery school Block-work Finished.

Despite the rains, the Brikama nursery school project is on schedule. The second stage build is now complete and verified by Yaya and his staff. Our project manager has given the all clear for the third stage to begin. This will be the major work of fixing the roof, doors and windows and rendering all of he plasterwork, inside and out etc
We are already thinking about furnishing the school, and making it a nice welcoming building. A place in which nursery school children will get a good start to their education: We are planning to finish the project ready for the September return to school. That is a real tough deadline, but we will do our best to meet it. The official opening will be later in the year when the donors are in The Gambia on holiday.

Just a thought!
Is there anyone out there with nursery school wall charts etc. going begging? If so please donate them to us. Please get in touch through our website. Thank you.
Dave Smith 2011 07 28

Athletes Get Registered for the Brufut Run

Friends of The Gambia Association are assisting the Brufut Marathon Run Association to make their successful annual event into a truly international sporting occasion. “THE LONDON MARATHON OF WEST AFRICA”.
It costs just £15.00 for Europeans to enter. There are 10 K races for males and females and a popular cycle race. This year for the first time the Brufut marathon association are staging their first ever half marathon. To run in any of these races would be a truly amazing experience for any European athlete. It would be very rewarding if, for your efforts, you were able to raise money by asking friends and family to sponsor you. All money raised will be donated to children’s education in The Gambia. What a fantastic cause that is!
Why not combine the occasion with a great holiday in The Gambia. The people are friendly and welcoming. The sunshine is guaranteed! And you will be assured of a tremendous welcome on race-day.
The race-day is 17th December 2011.
For more Details e-mail Martin Myers: martin@fotga.org.uk or Dave Smith: davesmithfotga@aol.com and see the Brufut Run Website:

Dave Smith 2011 07 26