A few months ago, we asked for help from Gambians across the globe, to
raise funds for shipping a cancer screening machine and medication to
Gambia. These were donated to the nation of Gambia by a group of
physicians in Atlanta. Many people donated generously either in cash or
in
kind, and for that we are grateful, thank you!

The following is an update:
1) A shipment of approximately 500 lbs. of various medication [for
Malaria, High Blood, Diabetes and more], valued between $4,000 and
$5,000 left Atlanta for Gambia in early October. The consignment will be
delivered to the Catholic Development Office, a branch of the Catholic
Relief Services who will help coordinate the distribution to health
centers across the country.

2) Regretfully, we lost the cancer screening machine because we could
not to remove it from the medical center in time.

What happened?
a) We were offered the machine back in March of this year;
b) Fund raising campaign started in July/August, 5 months after the
machine was donated to (us) Mariama Jallow;
c) There wasn't enough money collected in time to hire a specialized
moving company to get the machine into storage to await shipment;
d) The donors needed the space because they were upgrading their
equipment and were loosing money by the day. After many deadlines
offered us to remove the equipment, they finally gave it to someone else
who took it away within a week.


What next?
1) Medicines - Although we lost the machine, the doctors have committed
to continued donation of medications through Mariam Jallow
who works with them in Atlanta, and is the mastermind of this project.
There is a balance of $400 from the collected funds with one of our
coordinators, Sainey Faye of Atlanta. We will maintain the rented
storage and continue gathering and shipping aid to Gambia every six
months, depending on volume collected.

2) Books and Stationery - We are planning a stationery and book drive to
support the schools back home. How will this work?
a) We are looking for volunteers to cover regions or local drives to
collect books and office supplies (pens, pencils, note books, chalk,
crayons, etc.) from donors. The regional reps. will then bring their
collection to Atlanta by July 4th.
b) Individuals who wish to donate can also bring along whatever they
have to Atlanta. We kindly ask that these items are brought in
boxes to help ease the task of packing, please.
c) While in Atlanta in July, we will have another drive at all functions
for the forgetful few that want to give. All items collected will be
stored and shipped together with the medication and distributed through
the same channel. If anyone wants to volunteer as a regional or local
collector, please contact me via email.

The success of the first leg of our ongoing endeavor is due largely to
contributions from heroes who after relentless efforts, countless long
late phone calls and many emails, will make a difference in someone's
life back home.
These heroes are: Mariam Jallow, Abdoulie Njie, jr., Sainey Faye, Albury
Njie, and Haruna Darbo - Georgia, Sigga Jagne - Kentucky, Ya Soffie
Ceesay - Maryland, Yankuba Njie - Maine, The Gambian association in
Atlanta and all those who gave money either via the funs raiser on the
"L", or at one of the July 4th functions. My sincere appreciation to you
all, and thank you very much!

Sincerely,
Maila Touray

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